Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Can be bad, but doesn't have to be, is easy to manage once you understand where it comes from. The World Health Organization reports that in 23 countries 10% of deaths are due to just two environmental risk factors: unsafe water, including poor sanitation and hygiene; and indoor air pollution due to solid fuel use for cooking. According to the EPA, Indoor air pollution is one of the five most urgent environmental problems facing the United States and among the 13 top environmental problems analyzed. Because of these reports, indoor air is now receiving a great amount of attention. Here are some Facts: Indoor air pollution may exist at levels 2 to 5 times more than outdoors, mostly toxic gases or particles that can harm your health.
The elderly, the very young, pregnant women, and those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments are often the first to notice these problems. Homes and offices has been studied extensively in recent years--with sometimes alarming conclusions that have led the building industry to rethink many aspects of design and choice of materials. General Accounting Office has called indoor air pollution "one of the most serious environmental risks to human health,'' yet no agency has authority to control pollutants in indoor air. It has been estimated that 15% of indoor air pollution comes directly from the humans inhabiting the building; the remainder is from non-human sources. That's because everything from pets to gas appliances to paint and cleaning products contributes to this fact. The effects can be costly in the work place too. Building-related illnesses, and "sick building syndrome" have received increased attention over the last several years.
Sources include attached garages, new carpets and furniture, water leaks and condensation, chemical storage, poorly operating heaters, and is worsened by inadequate ventilation. It also comes from a variety of man-made and natural sources including combustion, cleaning agents, and a variety of other substances such as paints, residual chemicals in carpets, and adhesives. Other range of household products that contain potentially harmful substances includes personal care items and candles particularly scented ones, so does cooking and heating with solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves.
To eliminate indoor air pollution, there must be a good source of fresh air and sufficient air movement. Good ventilation is crucial to maintaining low levels of indoor air pollution as well as installing air purification system for the entire home.
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