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The Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks. And the World Health Organization’s findings support this ranking. They found that indoor air pollution causes 14 times more deaths than outdoor air pollution, which is 2.8 million lives (www.epa.gov). Despite all research results pointing towards poor indoor air quality, we are not constructing healthy buildings. Poor indoor air quality is causing serious problems because most people spend about 90% of their time indoors (www.globalgreen.org).
So what causes poor indoor air quality?
The primary cause is due to sources that release harmful gases or particles into the air. Insufficient ventilation can increase the level of these gases and particles because there is not enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from these sources or enough outdoor air to carry the pollutants outdoors. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of pollutants.
Where does indoor air pollution come from?
Many sources related to activities carried out in the home release pollutants intermittently while others release them more or less continuously. Many pollutants contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are organic solvents that easily evaporate into the air. Some may be flammable. The lower the VOC content, the better. Some specific examples of pollutant sources include fossil fuels and combustible substances such as oils, gases, coal, formaldehyde, wood, and tobacco products; poor central heating and cooling systems and humidification equipment; deteriorated construction materials and products, lead, asbestos, moist carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products and damaging adhesives; harmful household cleaning and personal care products or hobbies; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and air pollution. (www.montana.edu/wwwcxair/hazards.htm)
The importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and the hazardous level of those emissions. Factors such as how old the sources are and, if applicable, whether they are properly installed and maintained are important. For example, a gas stove that is improperly installed can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than a properly installed one.
Poor indoor air quality is not something to take lightly.
Luckily though, there are many things you can do to improve the air quality in your current home and you can do even more if you are planning to build a home. Read more about tips you can do to make your current home “greener”: https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=2121
If you’re interested in building a home - consider going green. We can match you with builders and architects that specialize in green building. Get started
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