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Is Your Air Healthy?

Is Your Air Healthy?. Indoor Air Quality Facts. People spend 60-90% of their time indoors. Indoor air is more dangerous to your health than outdoor air. Possible health problems range from headaches to lung cancer.

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Is Your Air Healthy?

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  1. Is Your Air Healthy?

  2. Indoor Air Quality Facts • People spend 60-90% of their time indoors. • Indoor air is more dangerous to your health than outdoor air. • Possible health problems range from headaches to lung cancer. • The source of pollutants must be identified before air quality can be improved.

  3. Indoor Air Quality Concerns • Combustion appliances • Carbon monoxide • Tobacco smoke • Building and repair materials • Biological contaminants • Radon • Indoor air ventilation

  4. Combustion Appliances • Heating and cooking devices involve a chemical process that produces the following byproducts: • Carbon monoxide. • Nitrogen and sulfur oxide. • Formaldehyde. • Vent appliances to the outside and conduct safety inspections.

  5. Carbon Monoxide • Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can result in death if exposure levels are too high. • A CO detector is necessary to detect high levels that could affect your families’ safety.

  6. Symptoms of Overexposure Fatigue Headache Dizziness Nausea Confusion

  7. Sources of Carbon Monoxide • Blocked flue pipes. • Malfunctioning furnaces. • Use of charcoal grills indoors. • Automobiles running in a garage attached to the house.

  8. Tobacco Smoke • Smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes contain cancer causing chemicals as well as throat and lung irritants. • A smoky home affects all household members, not just the smoker. • Children and asthmatics are most at risk. • Consider banning smoking inside your home.

  9. Concerns with Building and Repair Materials • Furniture, flooring, shelves, and cabinets may be made from manufactured wood products which contain glue made with formaldehyde. • New carpet can release volatile chemicals. • Paints and varnishes may release harmful vapors. • Asbestos fibers can accumulate in your lungs, causing respiratory problems.

  10. Addressing Building and Repair Materials Concerns • Buy manufactured wood products that are formaldehyde free or have low emissions. • Install low-emission carpets and keep carpets clean. • Provide extra ventilation when painting or varnishing in the home. • Make sure asbestos areas are isolated and the asbestos is safely encased.

  11. Biological Contaminants • Biological contaminants come from living or once-living organisms. • Control their growth by: • Keeping surfaces clean. • Maintaining low moisture levels. • Keep down household dust by using treated cloths, damp cleaning, and laundering.

  12. Radon • Radon is a odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas. • 40% of Kentucky homes tested since 1985 had levels higher than what is healthy. • Radon exposure increases lung cancer risks. • The only way to know the levels in your home is to have the home tested.

  13. Indoor Air Ventilation • Inadequate ventilation can cause a buildup of pollutants. • Persistent odors of chemicals, mildew or food indicate you need more ventilation. • Homes that leak air waste energy. • Consult an energy professional to ventilate your home properly without energy loss.

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