Pollutants In The Home
Outdoor air pollution remains a major health issue across America, and lots of effort and money continue to be spent either to clean it up or prevent the emission of pollution to begin with.
But the air pollution that may affect your health the most can come from sources you don't expect, and thrive in a place you least expect it -- your home.
Isn't indoor pollution about mold and other nasty stuff? Not exclusively. Many ordinary activities like cleaning and cooking, even something like redecorating, can cause the release and spread of indoor pollutants at home.
In fact, many studies have shown that the air in our homes can be even more polluted than outdoor air, which is even more important because many Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. If the indoor air we breath isn't clean, sooner or later our health will be impacted.
People who are inside a great deal (like infants and the elderly, or people with chronic illnesses) may be at the greatest risk of developing health problems or having current problems made worse by the pollutants.
Biological Pollutants
Biological pollutants are things that are alive -- or in scientific terms, living organisms. They can travel through the air and are often invisible without a microscope. They often contribute to days lost from work or school, and to doctor or hospital visits.
Some common indoor biological pollutants are:
- animal dander (minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin);
- dust mite and cockroach parts;>/li>
- infectious agents (bacteria and viruses); and
- pollen.
Of course, it is impossible to get rid of all these pollutants, so we'll find some in every home. But we can control the conditions that allow pollutants to congregate and thrive.
There are really two conditions we need to control: nutrients and moisture.
Areas like bathrooms, damp basements, wet appliances like humidifiers or air conditioners are prime territory for many pollutants. Other areas might include some carpets and furniture, as well as any place that has experienced a moisture intrusion (leaky pipes, flooded basement, etc).
Modern building techniques and materials may reduce the amount of outside air brought into buildings, which can result in high moisture levels inside. Using humidifiers, unvented heaters, and air conditioners in our homes has increased the chances of moisture forming on interior surfaces.
All this encourages the growth of many types of biological pollutants.
The Scope
Studies show that nationwide, 30% to 50% of all structures have damp conditions which may encourage the growth and buildup of biological pollutants. Places like Florida (with a warm, humid environment) are on the high end of that statistic. But places in Michigan that border lakes or other bodies of water (and that is a lot of Michigan) are prime suspects too, even though our weather isn't as warm for much of the year.
Many diseases and illnesses have been linked with biological pollutants in the indoor environment. The medical and scientific communities are learning more about the health impact of these pollutants each year. We'll cover some of that in Part II.
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