Health Effects
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the air quality within your home as it relates to your and your family’s health and comfort. Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of IAQ problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources, and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. Primary factors that affect IAQ are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulates, temperature and humidity.
Research by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates 96 percent of homes have at least one type of indoor air quality issue. An indoor air quality (IAQ) monitor will report on the levels of common pollutants and other air conditions inside your home. Almost anyone can be at risk for indoor air pollution depending on their preexisting health conditions and the buildings they reside in, especially because people spend up to 90% of their time indoors.
The EPA has identified indoor air pollution as one of the top five urgent environmental risks to public health. Indoor air pollution contributes to lung disease, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and lung cancer, and can greatly exacerbate allergy symptoms. If you or a family member suffer from allergies or asthma, or if you have infants or elderly persons living at home, indoor air pollution and its health implications are of even greater concern to you.
Health effects vary with how long, and at what level, you are exposed; asthmatics may be at greater risk.
Health Effects
Short-term and treatable immediate effects after exposure to high concentrations of indoor air pollutants:
sore throat
headache
eyes irritation
nose irritation
dizziness
fatigue
Symptoms of diseases:
asthma
hypersensitivity pneumonitis
humidifier fever
Chronic effects may show up only years after exposure has occurred or after long or repeated periods of exposure:
respiratory diseases
heart disease
cancer
Long-term Health Impacts of Poor IAQ
Conversely, poor IAQ also presents some significant long-term health impact. Upon years of exposure or long and repeated exposure, very harmful health effects may occur, such as:
respiratory diseases
heart disease
cancer
Understanding the indoor air quality of your home (or office buildings) matters because uncertainty remains in the concentration levels or periods of exposure that produce these harmful health problems. Plus, people react differently to pollutants, so remaining diligent offers the best change to reduce your risks.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen through the body. Carbon monoxide causes headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and even death. Potential sources are defective central heating furnaces, automobile exhaust, tobacco smoke, space heaters using fossil fuels. The solution to elevated carbon monoxide levels is source removal.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is exhaled by humans and pets as a natural part of the metabolic process. High levels of carbon dioxide can cause drowsiness and headaches. ASHRAE recommends that indoor carbon dioxide levels not exceed 700 ppm above outdoor ambient levels.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in home furnishings, carpets, building materials, paints and lacquers, cleaning supplies, waxes, pesticides, moth repellents, air fresheners, and dry-cleaned clothing. VOCs evaporate into the air when these products are used or sometimes even when they are stored. Volatile organic compounds irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and cause headaches, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Some of them can cause cancer.
Combustible Vapors & Gases (LEL) A LEL detector can detect dangerous levels of combustible gas or solvent vapor in air, expressed in percent lower explosive limit (LEL); a LEL Monitor is also referred to as an LEL Gas Detection System.
Oxygen Effects of exposure to low oxygen concentrations can include giddiness, mental confusion, loss of judgment, loss of coordination, weakness, nausea, fainting, loss of consciousness, and death.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable, extremely hazardous gas with a “rotten egg” smell. It occurs naturally in crude petroleum and natural gas, and can be produced by the breakdown of organic matter and human/ animal wastes (e.g., sewage). It is heavier than air and can collect in low-lying and enclosed, poorly ventilated areas.
