Janet Harden, Interior Design
Indoor air quality should
be of prime concern to all individuals who live work or play in any building.
Poor air quality is an insidious problem and because it is "invisible,"
most people are not usually aware of its potential harm. Most of
the things that create poor air quality are not noticeable to ones sense
of smell or vision. With diligence, we can create a better living environment
for ourselves and those we live and work with, now and in the future.
Indoor air quality refers
to the effects, good or bad, of the contents of the air inside a structure
upon its occupants. Indoor air quality is measured by the quantities of
various gases and particles in the interior environment. Poor indoor
air quality occurs when gases or particles are present in concentrations
which affect the satisfaction or health of occupants (Byrd, 1997:2).
Indicators, Strategies and Benefits
The following
indicators (I’s in bold and underlined) measure progress
towards achieving sustainable indoor air quality. The strategies (s's
in bold) are recommended action to improve each indicator. The I’s
and S’s are followed by a brief statement of the social, environmental
and/or economic benefits.
I.1. Eliminate outdoor air pollution inside the home or office.
S.1.a. Improve filtration of the air being brought in from outside.
S.1.b. Increased ventilation quality by bringing air in from the
best possible exterior location.
When we speak of indoor
air quality, we must also consider outdoor air quality. Generally,
pollutants present in the outdoor environment are present at a somewhat
lower concentration indoors, in most cases 10 to 90%. When a pollutant
appears outside, eventually, that pollutant will appear inside (Byrd, 1997:2).
This occurs because the air that is inside originates outside.
We can significantly reduce
the concentration of indoor pollutants with the use of a good filtering
system. There are many affordable models on the market today. Their
capacities are variable, from countertop one room filtering, to those used
on large commercial buildings. Selecting the one that is right for the
given situation could require the assistance of a specialist.
I.2. Improve health by carefully storing substances used inside
the home and work environments.
S.2.a. Reduce and isolate all chemicals from the living environment.
The benefits of the above
are numerous. They include, but are not limited to: better sleep,
fewer allergy attacks, less incidence of asthma, and better work performance.
By removing the pollutants or lowering their concentrations, one will have
in effect created a higher indoor air quality than was present before.
We need to be cognizant
of the things that we bring into our homes and workspaces. Many of
the products in our kitchens, bathrooms, and especially garages, contribute
to poor indoor air quality. These products, ranging from items such
as glass cleaner, ammonia, and oven cleaner, found under the kitchen sink;
to toilet bowl cleaner, and tub and tile cleaners with bleach in them,
found under the bathroom sink; to fertilizers, gasoline, both in the car
and for the lawn mower, solvents, and paint, found in the garage, contribute
to the toxicity of our living spaces. This is just a sample of the
kinds of toxins and poisonous things that can be found in our homes.
The list of common items that contribute toxins to our environment is of
staggering proportions. Read labels. If a product that you
are considering bringing into your home have some kind of a warning label
on it, one should think twice and weigh the consequences of acquiring and
using the product.
S.2.b. Store chemicals that are used in or around the home or office
in a well-ventilated space.
Given the fact that all
of these products, and many more, have the potential to create poor air
quality, the best solution is not to have them in our homes. The next best
thing would be to keep them isolated from the rest of the home, by placing
them in a bucket with the lid closed tightly, and placing them in a well-ventilated
area, such as the garage or storage shed.
S.2.c. Carefully review the use of chemicals and remove those that
are toxic and not necessary.
Understanding what it is that
one is doing to oneself with the continued exposure to these types of air
pollutants will give us a very good reason to begin the process of eliminating
the need for them. These products can cause one to feel sick, nauseated,
to have flu-like symptoms, asthma, and allergies, etc. Continued
exposure can cause an individual to develop one or more chemical sensitivities
or (MCS) multiple chemical sensitivity.
I.3. Select building materials that have no toxic chemical impacts
on the quality of indoor air.
S.3. Use alternative materials that do not produce or have significantly
reduced incidents of off-gassing.
Most builders today tend
to use standard construction methods and materials. These standard
procedures and materials are what have brought us to where we are today,
with (SBS) sick building syndrome and poor indoor air quality. The products
that are widely used in the building industry today give off toxins by
off-gassing (or out-gassing). Builders do not fully understand the ramifications
of the products they use to build our homes, offices, schools, etc. We
need to educate the public and the design and construction industry in
developing safe and healthy buildings.
Almost all of the plywood,
particleboard, and fake board produced today are held together with a formaldehyde-based
glue (Bower, 1989:151). There are a few companies that make formaldehyde
free particleboard. Fiberglass insulation in the batt contains formaldehyde
as a binder, but this will cause less of a problem because it is isolated
from the living space. Some wood studs are treated to prevent mold mildew
and pests, and many of the treatments are toxic. These toxins off-gas for
many years into our living spaces. Carpeting and its associated padding
are also a real problem as well as the material and padding used in and
on furniture, both of these textile based products are treated for stain
resistance which again can be toxic. There can be a high price paid in
terms of staying healthy for using toxic materials with a slightly lower
building cost.
There are a growing number
of safe alternatives to the materials we use. When wood is called
for in the construction, the best choice would be from a sustainability
supply. Metal framing is not treated does not promote the growth
of mold or mildew, and is naturally pest resistance. Instead of fiberglass
insulation, one should consider environmentally safe insulation made of
recycled newsprint. With regard to the carpeting and upholstery,
one should look for natural fibers and resist the impulse to put a stain
resistant coating on them. Most of these products are readily available,
but not always easy to find. In John Bower’s book The Healthy
House there is a list of suppliers that carry safe products to help
us in our quest for better indoor air quality.
When we build our homes,
one should consider the need for a healthy indoor environment. By eliminating
as many of the possible sources of indoor air polluting products in the
construction process. We can solve the sources of the problem and
reduce the need for elaborate ventilation and filtering systems.
This can lead to a higher quality of life.
The challenge we face today
is to educate the public and the building industry, and to change the practices
that have led to the development of the current problem of MCS and poor
IAQ. Toxic chemicals that have not been adequately tested should
not be used in the construction industry. The more specific we are
with our requests, the easier it will be to implement the changes necessary.
These changes must start with the end user saying "I’m not going to put
up with standard procedures (which equal substandard quality) any more,
I want something better."
The industry needs to be
informed that we want products that promote good health with the least
amount of energy consumed in the process. Sustainable solutions to
these polluting processes need to be found and implemented. When the industry
can say that it no longer uses or produces products that pollute the air,
water, or land, we will know that we have achieved our goal of advancing
human and environmental health.
In the process, we will
be educating ourselves. When everyone joins in the challenge to find
sustainable solutions to the problems, the quicker and easier it will be
to realize the goal of a sustainable community, and with a sustainable
community comes a better future.
Links to Other Important Web Sites
To get answers to the most frequently asked questions about indoor air
quality,
visit: www.elitesoft.com/sci.hvac/iaq1.html.
Information about your health and the environment,
visit: www1.medaccess.com/homeFrame.htm
The Indoor Air Quality Primer is designed for those interested in educating themselves about indoor air quality, visit: www.cutter.com/energy/reports/primer.htm
References
Bower, J., 1989. The Healthy House: How to Buy One, How to Build One, How to Cure a "Sick" One. Carol Communications
Byrd, R., 1997. "Indoor Air Quality FAQ." Internet: www.elitesoft.com/sci.havc/iaq1.html.
Dadd, D. L., 1992. The Nontoxic Home and Office: Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Everyday Toxics and Health Hazards. Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc.
Dadd, D., 1990. Nontoxic, Natural, and Earthwise: How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Harmful Products and Live in Harmony with the Earth. Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc.