To make matters even worse, EPA research also shows that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors!

Because we spend so much time in homes and offices with mechanical heating, cooling and ventilation systems, we are limited to the amount of fresh air inside.  Inadequate ventilation increases indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions and not allowing indoor air pollutants to be carried out of the home.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

The EPA describes indoor air pollutants as unwanted, sometimes harmful materials in the air.  Theses pollutants range from dust to chemicals.  Air cleaners are described as devices that remove pollutants from the indoor air you breathe.  The following is a partial list of pollutants commonly found indoors:

Pollen magnified 1500 times

Particle Pollutants– very small solid or liquid substances that are light enough to float, suspended in the air (e.g. mists, dust or pollen).  Of primary concern from a health standpoint are: 1) small, invisible “breathe-able” particles, with a higher probability of penetrating deep into the lungs, where they may stay a long time and may cause acute or chronic health problems, and 2) larger particles, also known as biological contaminants, such as bacteria, some molds, pollen, animal dander, and house dust allergens, which do not penetrate as deeply but may cause an allergic response. 

Gaseous Pollutants – include combustion gases and organic chemicals.  Hundreds of different gaseous pollutants have been detected in indoor air.

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The EPA and Consumer Product Safety Commission report the various health effects of both particle pollutants and gaseous pollutants.  Some of the symptoms may vary widely but can include:

Particle pollutants include, but are certainly not limited to, those from:

• Cigarette smoke
• Un-vented combustion appliances (gas stoves and kerosene heaters)
• Viruses
• Bacteria

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Good examples of common particle pollutants are molds.  Molds produce tiny spores in order to reproduce.  Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continuously.  When mold spores land on a damp spot, they begin to grow and digest whatever they are growing on in order to survive.  Some molds can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.  When there is a presence of excessive moisture or water accumulation indoors, mold growth often occurs.  The most effective way to control mold growth is to control moisture.

Currently there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.  But there are potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures including allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.  Today, technology offers inexpensive and effective ways to control the growth of mold indoors.

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Gaseous Pollutants

Gaseous pollutants that may enter your indoor air come from sources, such as:

In addition to particles and gases from the sources listed above, combustible products release hazardous pollutants, as well.  Some examples of combustible products are; unvented kerosene and space heaters, woodstoves and fireplaces.  The major pollutants released from these products are carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. 

Combustion gases and particles also come from chimneys and flues that are improperly installed or maintained, and cracked furnace heat exchangers.  These pollutants if not properly ventilated can be “back-drafted” from the chimney into the living space, particularly in a weatherized home.

The health effects of combustible products can be:

Carbon Monoxide (CO) – a colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body.  At high concentrations it can cause unconsciousness and death.  Lower concentrations can cause a range of symptoms from headaches and dizziness.  The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are sometimes confused with the flu or food poisoning.  Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or lung disease can be especially sensitive to carbon monoxide exposure.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) – is a colorless, odorless gas that irritates the mucous membranes in the eye, nose and throat, and causes shortness of breath after high exposure concentrations.  There is evidence that high concentrations or continued exposure to low levels of nitrogen dioxide increases the risk of respiratory infection.  There is also evidence from animal studies that repeated exposures to elevated nitrogen dioxide levels may lead, or contribute to the development of lung disease such as emphysema.  People at particular risk from exposure to nitrogen dioxide include children and individuals with asthma and other respiratory diseases.

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Sick Building Syndrome (Legionnaires Disease)

Indoor air quality problems are not only limited to our homes.  Many office buildings have significant air pollution sources.  Some commercial buildings are inadequately ventilated.  For example, mechanical ventilation systems may not be designed to provide adequate outdoor air.  Also, people inside these buildings generally do not have as much control over the indoor air as they do in their homes.  As a result, there have been increased incidences of reported health problems.

A number of well-identified illnesses, such as Legionnaires’ disease, asthma and humidifier fever have all been traced directly to specific building problems.  The EPA has classified these as building-related illnesses.  Most of these diseases are treatable but some pose serious risks.

There are times when building occupants experience symptoms that are not quite typical or traceable to a specific source.  These atypical symptoms are labeled by the EPA as “sick building syndrome”.  Some of the complaints for sick building syndrome are:

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At Mead Indoor our goal is to identify and eliminate environmental sources that may trigger or sustain health problems.  Our trained environmental specialists are available for Indoor Air Testing & Consulting, to determine the quality of the air in your home or office. 

Improving the quality of the air in our homes will:

• Relieve allergy symptoms
• Neutralize odors; pet, cooking, chemicals, paints, etc.
• Destroy micro-organisms such as molds, fungi, bacteria, etc.

For more information about Mead Indoor and our professional indoor air quality products and services, simply Contact Us.

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