What is Indoor Air Pollution and why should I be concerned about it?

Indoor Air pollution consists of any types of airborne particulates or organic compounds that may be hazardous to the health of both humans and/or pets. Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.

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What are some common indoor air pollutants?

Dust mites, tobacco smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, dead skin cells, ozone, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide pesticides, solvents, cleaning agents, bacteria, airborne lead, as well as many other allergens.

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If I don’t notice these indoor air pollutants, why should I be concerned for my health?

Only about 10% of airborne pollutants are visible to the naked eye. Disease-causing bacteria and germs, toxic fumes from cleaning solvents and pesticides, outgassing from flooring adhesive and furniture and colonies of mold spores, though often undetectable, when airborne, can make their way into your lungs.

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How concerned should I be about tobacco smoke?

Smoking in a home, office, place of business, or vehicle leaves the air dense with cancer-causing toxins. Even by smoking outside, toxins from the 3600 chemicals emitted as a result of tobacco smoke cling to the clothing. Many of these toxins release themselves into the air once inside. Studies have shown that second-hand smoke is up to four times more carcinogenic than smoke inhaled directly from a cigarette. This is because the smoker is breathing it through a filter - and those around him are not.

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I’m allergic to certain types of pets, Can you help me?

Animal dander—the dead skin cells to which allergens from the animal’s sebaceous glands cling—is constantly being sloughed off your pets. These tiny lightweight particles are a common trigger for allergies and asthma.  HEPA-type filters are highly effective at capturing these microscopic allergy-causing particles..

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What is "Sick Building Syndrome"? Why should it concern me?

Sick Building Syndrome is diagnosed when an excess of work related irritations of the skin and mucous membranes and other symptoms, including headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, are reported by workers in modern office buildings. The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes. This could lead to lowered worker moral, increased health care costs, and the loss of revenue associated with lower worker productivity.  

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What is a HEPA Filter? And what does it do?

HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor. This cellulose based filter media is extremely reliable in reducing airborne particles; so much so that hospitals consistently use HEPA filters as their way of cleaning the air.

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What is a micron?

A micron is a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter, used in measuring the size of particles. As an example, the diameter of one human hair is 70 microns, our HEPA’s filter down to .3 microns with 99.97% efficiency.

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What threat does Mold and Mildew pose to my health?

Mold reproduces by means of tiny spores. These spores can cause health problems such as upper respiratory distress, chronic headaches, skin rashes, sinus congestion, flu-like symptoms, and nausea. Mildew is a fungus. It grows most extensively in warm, humid environments.

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What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s)?  Why should I be concerned with them?

Volatile organic compounds, (VOCs) are organic gasses. Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.

Excessive exposure to VOCs is known to cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

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What is ozone, and how does it affect my health?

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen, O3, which is formed naturally in the ozone layer, is also produced in the lower atmosphere by the photochemical reaction of certain pollutants.  Electrical appliances, especially those in the office, emit unhealthy amounts of ozone.

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