Indoor Air Pollution
www.womenforahealthyenvironment.org
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis
Executive Director
Women for a Healthy Environment
1405 Shady Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1350
Phone: 412.420.2290
Fax: 412.420.4450
Email: michelle@womenforahealthyenvironment.org
How healthy is the air around you? Much of your overall health can be improved by simply breathing better air and there are many small things that you can do to help increase your air quality. Studies have shown that indoor air has higher levels of toxins and pollutants than outdoor air. Factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality include:
Poor ventilation – a major problem and said to cause half of all indoor air problems
Toxic fumes – emitted from products found around the home
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that “volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.” EPA further indicates that concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. Products that contain VOCs include: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.
What You Can Do to promote a healthy home:
Open a window to help to reduce indoor toxins in the air and run exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen
Choose non-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, stains and adhesives
Eliminate smoking in the home
Change your furnace/air conditioner filters every three months and vacuum carpets regularly (use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum for a cleaner environment
Purchase natural flooring and non-toxic wool carpets, allow newly purchased carpets to air before installation
Select natural wood furniture – particle board or pressed wood products are known to contain formaldehyde
Use natural cleaning products
Check that combustion appliances such as stoves, fireplaces, furnaces are vented to the outside
Avoid air fresheners and candles, instead opt for safer alternatives including fresh/dried flowers; spices such as cinnamon, clove, or orange; and essential oils such as lemon, eucalyptus, clary sage and rose
Test for radon, asbestos and lead and install a carbon monoxide detector
Add houseplants to decrease the amount of pollutants in the air and absorb harmful gases
For More Information
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/is-imprv.html
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/indoor-air-quality.htm
