Indoor Air Quality: Causes Of, Testing, and Monitoring Indoor Air Pollution

Pet dander and plant pollen are pollutants? Irritants and allergens perhaps, but pollutants? Worry about the VOC's you can't detect, not the stuff that makes you sneeze.

Doesn't look like the family in the last photo can open their windows- my problem at the office.

Air pollution is what we all notice least
Yet it is still a great pollutant beast
That we need to sort out quickly at least
Long before we ourselves cease to exist

(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng Fri. 12th Oct. 2007
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com

the home inside is also harmful to people's heath because of indoor polluting,it seems that we have no safe place to live in,why? whether we adopt some measures to improve this bad conditions or we make full use of natural materials to build our home with no polltions,this is indeed a interesting and boring problem,on one hand ,we humans create large amount of wealthiness over thousands years which greatly improve people's life,on the other hand,what we humans produce make great damage to the environment and also harm the human being,what should we do?It's a complicated problem,after all,the problem produced by the human have to be solved by human itself,reback to the nature and live with the nature harmoniously may be a solution,try best to suit with the environment around us,the human itself
is part of nature and should learn to abide by the natural laws until human and nature are combined to integrate to be one,the one is the top goal.

If all registered Blog Action Day bloggers do their part
It won't be long before we reach 151515 bloggers' hearts
Leaving behind enough strong impressions never to depart
Making 15th October 2007 with THE ENVIRONMENT as issue to impact and impart

(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng Fri. 12th Oct. 2007
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com

I was shocked when I found out that indoor air quality is worse than the air we breathe outside because this is where we spend most of our time!
To protect ourselves from VOCs it is also important to consider the furnishings we bring into our home. For me a green product is one which has an environmental AND a health benefit, because very often green products are considered green because they are made from renewable or recycled resources, and yet can still cause harm to our health through off-gassing of toxic chemicals, as very often found in the lacquered finishes on bamboo or wooden furniture. This learning was one of the reasons my partners and I started to represent TEAM 7 (www.team7.at) furniture in the US. This natural wood manufacturer uses only natural, non-toxic oils and waxes as wood finish and all products that are used in the production process must not be known to cause cancer or pose any other health risks, and must have very low VOC emmisions.

Everyone talks about how bad indoor air quality is how our homes are so bad off in these blogs. No one has mentioned anything about the solution. VENTILATION Most homes today are simply under ventilated. Our home's A~C systems are "closed loop" meaning they just recirculate the same toxins over and over again. Our E-Z Breathe ventilation system(ezbreathe.com) actually DOES something and expels all these toxins and gasses outside where they belong. Our very own independent tests have proven to reduce levels of Radon gas in homes where it was a problem in. Many air purifiers emit high levels of Ozone which only exacerbate or worsen respiratory conditions and the state of California has started to regulate this ever growing problem in cleaning up air cleaners. Read the press release on our website at http://www.ventilatetoday.com

i feel ill and achey a lot from work...and i often wonder if it has anything to do with the face that our building is a converted industrial space that was used for an automobile dealer previously...

houseplants really cut down on indoor pollution, i'm surprised its not mentioned here

According to a WHO report, indoor pollution is the most serious environmental crisis in the developing countries. The most dangerous pollutants released from bio-fuels are carbon monoxide, particulates, formaldehyde and polycyclic organic agents.

DON'T USE GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS.

You wrote:
"Using green cleaning products can help cut way back on the toxins in your home, as citrus and pine-based solvents can react with ozone to create formaldehyde."

Actually, as you correctly indicate, citrus and pine-based solvents (green cleaning products) do react with ozone and do form formaldehyde, higher molecular weight aldehydes, acidic aerosols, and fine and ultrafine particles. Thus, using green cleaning will not cut way back on the toxins in your home but will increase exposure to toxic and irritating chemicals, more harmful than the ones from which they are formed. It doesn't take much ozone either, and there is sufficient ozone almost everywhere, especially during the afternoon on warm, sunny days and during the summer.

I am workingon a science fair in 7th grade imy problem is, "does air pollution vary in aweek". so i need to know how to test it using a graph on the weeks.

houseplants really cut down on indoor pollution... following NASA study ...
Right now a french designer + an american from Havard dvp an air purifier called Bel air...is it a progress or not?

Cedesol Foundation is greatly concerned with indoor air pollution, the kind produced in developing world countries through harmful cooking methods. It is one of only five organizations worldwide selected by the Environmental Protection Agency of the U.S.A. in a Partnership for Clean Indoor Air. To find out more about the work of Cedesol Foundation please visit www.cedesol.org or our community on change.or: cedesol
Thanks

I'm surprised no mention has been made of the industry body certifying furniture as 'indoor safe', having very low or no VOC seepage.
Greenguard
http://www.greenguard.org/
The Greenguard Environmental Institute governs the GREENGUARD Certification Program and provides the world's only guide to third-party certified low emitting interior products and building materials. All certified products undergo quarterly indoor air quality performance testing according to stringent environmental chamber testing protocols and meet current indoor air quality standards.

It's been amazing to me to see how indoor air quality can affect your life. We have an interesting video on our site if you'd like to check it out...it shows the insides of your air ducts before cleaning:

Duct Cleaning Video

I'm writing an article for All American Homes on Energy consumption in a typical home and indoor air quality. I'm looking for someone to interview on this topic. If anyone knows anyone who is an expert on this topic (not just a commentator giving opinions) please contact me and let me know within the next week.

I know of an air purifier that eliminates 99.99% of airborne particulate (works especially well in CA), removes mold, mildew, VOC emmissions, strep, avian bird flu, bacteria, proven by documented univerity testing. We have pets too- our house is an oasis from bad air! I have a travel version in my car as well so I'm not breathing everyone else's exhaust.

Most trips in Dhaka are short in distance, usually one to five kilometers. These trips are perfect of Rickshaws. Rickshaws are cheap and popular mode of transport over short distances. Rickshaws are safe, environmentally friendly and do not rely on fossil fuels. Rickshaws support a significant portion of the population, not only the pullers, but also their families in the villages, the mechanics who fix the rickshaws, as well as street hawkers who sell them food. From the raw materials to the finished product the Rickshaw employs some 38 different professions. Action needs to be taken to support the Rickshaw instead of further banning it in Dhaka. The combined profits of all Rickshaws out earn all other passenger transport modes (bus, rail, boats and airlines) combined. In Dhaka alone, Rickshaw pullers combine to earn 20 million taka a month.

We think that over the coming holiday of Eid du Ajah, new Rickshaw bans will be put into action on roads in Dhaka. Eid was used in the past to place new bans on roads in Dhaka. Last Eid many roads were declared Rickshaw free without public support or approval. By banning Rickshaws roads are clogged with increased private car use as well as increased parking by cars. Banning of Rickshaws on major roads increases the transportation costs for commuters. Not only due to longer trips to avoid roads with bans in effect, but also due to actually having to take more expensive forms of transport such as CNG or Taxi, where in the past a Rickshaw would suffice. The environmental impact of banning Rickshaws is obvious because it exchanges a non-motorized form of transport for a motorized form of transport, thus increasing the pollution and harming the environment. Rickshaw bans harm the most vulnerable in society, mainly the sick, poor, women, children and the elderly; generally those who can not afford or do not feel comfortable on other forms of public transport. To ban Rickshaws also hurts small businesses that rely on them as a cheap and reliable form of transporting their goods. Rickshaws are ideal for urban settings because they can transport a relatively large number of passengers while taking up a small portion of the road. In 1998 the data showed that Rickshaws took up 38% of road space while transporting 54% of passengers in Dhaka . The private cars on the other hand, took up 34% of road space while only transporting 9% of the population (1998 DUTP). This data does not include the parking space on roads that cars take up in Dhaka . If included this would further raise the amount of space taken up by private cars. Every year the Rickshaw saves Bangladesh 100 billion taka in environmental damage.

The government makes many efforts to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka but with no success. Blaming Rickshaws for traffic congestion and subsequently banning them from major roads has not had the desired affect. Traffic is still as bad now as it was before the Rickshaws were banned on major roads. Rickshaws thus can not be seen as the major cause of traffic congestion. Instead one should look towards private cars and private car parking on roads as the major cause of traffic congestion. The space gained by banning Rickshaws is often used for private car parking. The current trend in transport planning reduces the mobility of the majority for the convenience of the minority. The next time a ban on Rickshaws on another road is discussed please take into consideration who is being hurt and who is being helped. For a better transport system in Dhaka we need to create a city wide network of Rickshaw lanes. If this is done Dhaka can reduce its fuel usage dramatically as well its pollution. We ask your help in our fight to keep Dhaka a Rickshaw city. Any information or help is very much appreciated and sought after. I write you this letter to describe the difficulties we are facing and some solutions but they are by no means exhaustive and we look forward to your help and input.

Author is the Volunteer of Save Environment Movement৷ Email: shovan1209@yahoo.com

As a Realtor® I have become ever more aware of how something as simple as indoor air pollution can affect the marketability of a property, and how often it is overlooked upon by builders and developers.

For instance pet owners are often are oblivious to the odors and off gassing of their cats and dogs that mess intentionally or otherwise in there homes. Further these may attract other pests and harmful bugs. Yet walk into another person’s home with the same situation and it is hard not to notice the odor.

Cooking is another problem. And here is the point of my comment. When renovating or building a property, please do not under estimate the value and importance of a well externally vented kitchen, especially if the means of cooking is by GAS. Though building codes more often than not do not mandate a vented kitchen to the same extent as in a bathroom, to do otherwise invite’s a dirty home which may have unacceptably high levels of Carbon Monoxide levels along with oily smoke. Simple activated carbon filters are little more than an excuse for not doing the job the right way. Further powerful vented hoods or otherwise offer a good means to introduce cleaner air from the great outdoors.

Food for thaught.

I just wrote an article on this that may be applicable.

Air
Cleaner Warnings

I have used YOLO Colorhouse paint in my house and LOVE IT! They are a zero VOC, Green Seal certified paint company! You can find the dealer closest to you on their website...www.yolocolorhouse.com!

Happy Painting!!!

A lot of things in our house release materials that is harmful to our health - paint, furniture electronics, etc etc

Plants are proven to be able to absorb some of these toxin very effectively (by NASA i think, when they are looking for ways to improve the air quality inside the spaceship)
Air-filtering plants are particularly good at taking in toxin, for example Spider plant and English Ivy.

So, Get planting!!

MTSK
Colors of Swallowtail

re: Bill Chamberlain-

To answer your question, generally indoor air related health issues include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. However, prolonged exposure can result in worsening conditions like lung disease and even lung cancer. Here is more on the Health Effects of Indoor Air Quality Pollution. It's important to remove the sources of pollution as soon as possible. Here is a quick list of Solutions for Indoor Air Pollution (Also, Be careful not to move anything that may contain asbestos).

Good luck, hope you feel better!

re: Bill Chamberlain-

To answer your question, generally indoor air related health issues include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. However, prolonged exposure can result in worsening conditions like lung disease, and lung cancer. Here is more on the Health Effects of Indoor Air Quality Pollution. It's important to remove the sources of pollution as soon as possible. Here is a quick list of Solutions for Indoor Air Pollution (Also, Be careful not to move anything that may contain asbestos).

Good luck, hope you feel better!

i bought an air sterilizer from airfree.com , it tackles ozone. tobacoo, bacteria, mold, pollens, viruses, pet dander, odore,and dust mite allergens. with no filters to replace it will be cheap to run and maintain. government depts and hospitals use them so i know i am in good company. energy usage is is less than a 50watt light bulb. hope this is of some use,

There are a lot of devices on the market to test your indoor air quality. A particle counter, for example, is a great way to see if your air cleaner is at all effective.

I found a website that does indoor air quality with biologically friendly microbes. It has testimonials and user feedback articles. Check it out:
www.biocascade.net

There's a lot of chemicals in our homes. Green cleaners do an ok job, but the best alternative for cleaning your home is one of those ladybug steam cleaners.

No one has mentioned beeswax candles and their ability to clean the air in your house. I use them in my house all the time, they have the same effect as houseplants. Some say burning beeswax can help with dust, mold and dander. check out www.purebeeswaxcandles.com for more info.

oh my good! i was shocked when i found the indoor air pollution is worse than the outdoor one, and i know that we spend more than 80%of our times indoor, also the more you sit in pollutes spaces the more you get illnesses

Read this today.

Innovative stuff

http://www.printingnews.com/print/Printing-News/Earthcolor-Sustainability-Embraces-Bioremediation-/3$8861

Bio to clean air..

You can visit www.Bio-Cascade.com for more

Great article and website. Keep up the good work...

... Wade :)

I moved into an small apartment with my family. It had some weird smells. The walls were freshly painted and the carpet cleaned by a local company. However, upon moving in I starte to notice the drapery was old and torn, it had a "yellow" look to it. The carpet although recently washed, I found it had a black/gayish color all along the edge in most of the house. As we began to live there I found out the couple that lived there were smokers. I also found out the carpet was probably as old as the house as were the drapes (early 70's) that's more than 30 years old. My sons and I have been sick a lot..I am wondering if I can find out if my land lord was neglectful in properly cleaning trhe house before we moved in in order to save a few bucks. He has since changed a couple of minor things as I have asked him, but he does not always cooperate in a timely matter. Especially to my suggestions of properly changing carpet and painting.
Do I have a reason to be concerned. The house does not have a good air flow, it is small. Who knows what else could be lurking in that carpet.

This is for Katie B....I have a product that may help improve the air quality in your home and get rid of the bad smells. You can try it for free for 3 days and see if it helps you.