Re: Article: Indoor Air Quality Affects Everyone (incl. info about scented products)

[Guest guest]

---

When reading the part about radon, it states that some building materials can

contain radon. I know granite counter tops are included in that list, but what

other building materials might have radon besides granite or stone? I am

learning ALL I can to build another green home one day. Thanks D

In , <brianc8452@...> wrote:

>

> Indoor Air Quality Affects Everyone

> By Wallace, R.N.

> May 19, 2009

>

> Are you concerned about your indoor air quality? You should be. The

> U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has listed the number one

> pollution problem in America is indoor air pollution.

>

> Controlling the air quality in your home, office and car can reduce

> allergy and asthma symptoms.. Many people with allergies stay indoors

> when outdoor air is full of pollen and spores. But dust mites, animal

> dander and even cockroaches can cause problems indoors.

>

> Eight out of 10 people in the U.S. are exposed to house dust mites, and six

out of 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander.

>

> What is all that stuff in our air? Eighty percent is dead skin (and the other

20 percent isn't any better).

>

>

> • Dust†" 42,000 dust mites can live in one ounce of dust. Forty pounds

> of dust generated per year †" per 1,500 square feet of space †" can host

> up to 15 species of dust mites.

> • Bacteria†" Bacteria are found in your heating and cooling system, house

> pets, garbage, bathrooms and everywhere else in your home.

> • Mold spores†" Mold spores are found in your heating and cooling

> system, in damp clothing, cleaning materials, and the moisture in your

> ceilings, walls, carpets and drapes.

>

> Allergens are substances that cause allergic reactions and trigger

> asthma symptoms in some people. Allergen particles are carried in the

> air, but they will settle onto furniture and floor surfaces. They vary

> in size and are measured in microns (also called micrometers). The

> larger the particles, the faster they will settle out of the air.

> Pollen and dust mite debris are larger and settle out of the air more

> quickly than molds or animal allergens.

>

> Some of the biggest indoor pollutants are tobacco smoke, bacteria and

> viruses, mold, mildew, and fungi, pollen, house dust and dust mites,

> odors, chemical gases from cleaning products, furnishings, clothing and

> construction.

>

> Also, scientists have suggested that using scented air fresheners and

> laundry products may cause health concerns in some people. According to

> a recent study, products such as fabric softeners, detergents, dryer

> sheets, liquid spray air fresheners, plug-in air fresheners, and solid

> disc deodorizers contain dozens of chemicals, some of which are toxic

> under federal laws.

>

> University of Washington scientists claim these products contain methyl

> chloride, which has been linked to liver, kidney and nervous system

> damage in animals.

>

> Many people have reported dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches,

> seizures and asthma attacks while using air fresheners and other such

> household products. Scientists recommend people choose fragrance-free

> laundry products and use ventilation instead of air fresheners.

>

> The following can help you identify things in your home (or office)

> that may impact the quality of your indoor air and your health:

>

>

> • unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air;

> • noticeable lack of air movement;

> • dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment;

> • damaged flue pipes or chimneys;

> • excessive humidity or condensation;

> • tightly constructed or remodeled homes;

> • presence of molds;

> • feeling noticeably healthier outside the home;

> • a health reaction when inside the home, especially after remodeling,

> weatherizing, installing new furniture, using household or hobby

> products or moving into a new home.

>

> Indoor air hazards you should know about:

>

>

> • Biological pollutants like molds, animal dander, cockroaches, and

> dust mites. Sources include excessive humidity levels,

> poorly-maintained humidifiers and air-conditioners and inadequate

> ventilation.

> • Unhealthy remodeling byproducts. Sources include materials such as

> asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, other hazardous materials disturbed

> during remodeling activities.

> • Combustion products including carbon monoxide.

> • Lead dust. Sources include lead-based paint dust from removing paint by

sanding, scraping and burning.

> • Secondhand smoke. Sources include sidestream and exhaled smoke from

burning tobacco products.

> • Radon. This is a radioactive gas from soil and rock beneath and

> around the foundation, ground water wells and some building materials.

> • Household products. Sources include cleaning products, paints, air

> fresheners, hobby supplies, dry cleaned clothing, aerosol sprays,

> adhesives that contain formaldehyde, and fabric additives used in

> carpeting and furniture.

>

>

> Air cleaning can be a useful adjunct to source control and ventilation.

> But it needs to address the issues in the environment. Some " filter "

> type air cleaners have certain limitations.

>

>

> Particle control devices such as the typical furnace filter are

> inexpensive but do not effectively capture small particles; high

> performance air filters capture the smaller, respirable particles but

> are relatively expensive to install and operate. Mechanical filters do

> not remove gaseous pollutants. Some specific gaseous pollutants may be

> removed by adsorbent beds, but these devices can be expensive and

> require frequent replacement of the adsorbent material.

>

>

> In sum, many air filters on the market can be useful, but have limited

application.

>

>

> Do-it-yourself solutions

>

> Great house cleaning helps reduce a lot of the pollutants that are

> harbored in our homes. However, even the cleanest homes have " issues. "

> Utilizing air purifiers actually cleans the indoor air without filters.

> They are portable and affordable and can be used throughout the home.

> They are certified by the Space Foundation in conjunction with NASA.

>

>

> It is important for us to understand our indoor environment, and the

> air we breathe is as important as the quality of food we eat and water

> we drink. It all goes hand-in-hand in promoting the best quality of

> health and welfare for us all.

>

>

> http://www.scnews.com/news/2009/0519/health/059.html

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

GREAT post . This is very helpful, thanks

 

Chris...

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 Freedom is the emancipation from the arbitrary rule of other men   :Mortimer

Adler

From: <brianc8452@...>

Subject: [] Article: Indoor Air Quality Affects Everyone (incl.

info about scented products)

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 9:23 PM

Indoor Air Quality Affects Everyone

By Wallace, R.N.

May 19, 2009

Are you concerned about your indoor air quality? You should be. The

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has listed the number one

pollution problem in America is indoor air pollution.

Controlling the air quality in your home, office and car can reduce

allergy and asthma symptoms.. Many people with allergies stay indoors

when outdoor air is full of pollen and spores. But dust mites, animal

dander and even cockroaches can cause problems indoors.

Eight out of 10 people in the U.S. are exposed to house dust mites, and six out

of 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander.

What is all that stuff in our air? Eighty percent is dead skin (and the other 20

percent isn't any better).

• Dust— 42,000 dust mites can live in one ounce of dust. Forty pounds

of dust generated per year — per 1,500 square feet of space — can host

up to 15 species of dust mites.

• Bacteria—Bacteria are found in your heating and cooling system, house

pets, garbage, bathrooms and everywhere else in your home.

• Mold spores— Mold spores are found in your heating and cooling

system, in damp clothing, cleaning materials, and the moisture in your

ceilings, walls, carpets and drapes.

Allergens are substances that cause allergic reactions and trigger

asthma symptoms in some people. Allergen particles are carried in the

air, but they will settle onto furniture and floor surfaces. They vary

in size and are measured in microns (also called micrometers) . The

larger the particles, the faster they will settle out of the air.

Pollen and dust mite debris are larger and settle out of the air more

quickly than molds or animal allergens.

Some of the biggest indoor pollutants are tobacco smoke, bacteria and

viruses, mold, mildew, and fungi, pollen, house dust and dust mites,

odors, chemical gases from cleaning products, furnishings, clothing and

construction.

Also, scientists have suggested that using scented air fresheners and

laundry products may cause health concerns in some people. According to

a recent study, products such as fabric softeners, detergents, dryer

sheets, liquid spray air fresheners, plug-in air fresheners, and solid

disc deodorizers contain dozens of chemicals, some of which are toxic

under federal laws.

University of Washington scientists claim these products contain methyl

chloride, which has been linked to liver, kidney and nervous system

damage in animals.

Many people have reported dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches,

seizures and asthma attacks while using air fresheners and other such

household products. Scientists recommend people choose fragrance-free

laundry products and use ventilation instead of air fresheners.

The following can help you identify things in your home (or office)

that may impact the quality of your indoor air and your health:

• unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air;

• noticeable lack of air movement;

• dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment;

• damaged flue pipes or chimneys;

• excessive humidity or condensation;

• tightly constructed or remodeled homes;

• presence of molds;

• feeling noticeably healthier outside the home;

• a health reaction when inside the home, especially after remodeling,

weatherizing, installing new furniture, using household or hobby

products or moving into a new home.

Indoor air hazards you should know about:

• Biological pollutants like molds, animal dander, cockroaches, and

dust mites. Sources include excessive humidity levels,

poorly-maintained humidifiers and air-conditioners and inadequate

ventilation.

• Unhealthy remodeling byproducts. Sources include materials such as

asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, other hazardous materials disturbed

during remodeling activities.

• Combustion products including carbon monoxide.

• Lead dust. Sources include lead-based paint dust from removing paint by

sanding, scraping and burning.

• Secondhand smoke. Sources include sidestream and exhaled smoke from burning

tobacco products.

• Radon. This is a radioactive gas from soil and rock beneath and

around the foundation, ground water wells and some building materials.

• Household products. Sources include cleaning products, paints, air

fresheners, hobby supplies, dry cleaned clothing, aerosol sprays,

adhesives that contain formaldehyde, and fabric additives used in

carpeting and furniture.

Air cleaning can be a useful adjunct to source control and ventilation.

But it needs to address the issues in the environment. Some " filter "

type air cleaners have certain limitations.

Particle control devices such as the typical furnace filter are

inexpensive but do not effectively capture small particles; high

performance air filters capture the smaller, respirable particles but

are relatively expensive to install and operate. Mechanical filters do

not remove gaseous pollutants. Some specific gaseous pollutants may be

removed by adsorbent beds, but these devices can be expensive and

require frequent replacement of the adsorbent material.

In sum, many air filters on the market can be useful, but have limited

application.

Do-it-yourself solutions

Great house cleaning helps reduce a lot of the pollutants that are

harbored in our homes. However, even the cleanest homes have " issues. "

Utilizing air purifiers actually cleans the indoor air without filters.

They are portable and affordable and can be used throughout the home.

They are certified by the Space Foundation in conjunction with NASA.

It is important for us to understand our indoor environment, and the

air we breathe is as important as the quality of food we eat and water

we drink. It all goes hand-in-hand in promoting the best quality of

health and welfare for us all.

http://www.scnews. com/news/ 2009/0519/ health/059. html

[Guest guest]

What does it mean by " utilizing air purifiers actually 'cleans' the indoor air

without filters " . What air purifiers do you think article is referring to? I

don't know of any good cleaners that aren't mainly filtering air.

>

> Air cleaning can be a useful adjunct to source control and ventilation.

> But it needs to address the issues in the environment. Some " filter "

> type air cleaners have certain limitations.

>

>> Utilizing air purifiers actually cleans the indoor air without filters.

> They are portable and affordable and can be used throughout the home.

> They are certified by the Space Foundation in conjunction with NASA.

>

[Guest guest]

They must be talking about UV lights or an ionizer or something?

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 Freedom is the emancipation from the arbitrary rule of other men   :Mortimer

Adler

From: barb1283 <barb1283@...>

Subject: [] Re: Article: Indoor Air Quality Affects Everyone (incl.

info about scented products)

Date: Friday, May 22, 2009, 6:48 PM

What does it mean by " utilizing air purifiers actually 'cleans' the indoor air

without filters " . What air purifiers do you think article is referring to? I

don't know of any good cleaners that aren't mainly filtering air.

>

> Air cleaning can be a useful adjunct to source control and ventilation.

> But it needs to address the issues in the environment. Some " filter "

> type air cleaners have certain limitations.

>

>> Utilizing air purifiers actually cleans the indoor air without filters.

> They are portable and affordable and can be used throughout the home.

> They are certified by the Space Foundation in conjunction with NASA.

>