Austin Air Purifiers

IQ Air Purifiers

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Do most of us have problems with the quality of air in our homes?

Yes - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the air in our homes and offices are two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air. The US EPA has ranked indoor air pollution as a high priority public health risk (US EPA, 1990). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) concluded that preventing exposure to environmental allergens and irritants may help prevent asthma (NHLBI, 1995). If you're like most people, you spend up to 90% of your time indoors. If you can find a way to reduce airborne pollutants and allergens that you breathe, you may be able to increase your vitality and health and reduce allergies and asthma attacks.

How can I reduce indoor air pollution?

According to the American Lung Association (ALA) (www.lungusa.org), air pollution in our homes can be reduced in three different ways:

• Controlling the source of pollution
• Increasing Ventilation, and
• Cleaning the Air
   

These are listed in their order of effectiveness.

What are some of the sources of air pollution in my home?

We don't always think of the following as sources of air pollution, but depending on the type of product, all of the following can be significant sources of pollution and irritation in our homes:

• Paints & Varnishes
• Out gassing from furniture, insulation and building materials (especially particle board and plywood)
• Carpets
• Smoking
• Cleaning and Personal Care Products
• Pets
• Dust Mites
• Mold
• Combustion Appliances (gas heaters, stoves, etc.)
• Fine particulate matter from outdoor pollution and forest fires
   

Particulate Matter - A Serious Health Problem

The EPA has long recognized that fine particulate matter from smog and forest fires can be a serious health problem, exacerbating cardiovascular and respiratory problems and causing premature death. Numerous studies have associated particle pollution with increased hospital admissions, reduced lung function, shortened life spans, cancer and increased school absences. Most severely affected are children, the elderly, those with asthma and other respiratory problems, and those with cardiovascular disease. We discuss this issue here because although smog and forest fires represent outdoor pollution, they also come inside our homes and contribute to our indoor air pollution.

A team of researchers in Southern California has discovered that microscopic airborne particles can disrupt the inner workings of cells, which may explain how particulate matter from car and diesel exhaust and other pollutants that are found in urban haze can harm the body. (LA Times, April 7, 2003) The researchers found that the particles trigger a reaction that causes inflammation, which may help us to understand why particle pollution often makes asthma worse (asthma is an inflammation of the airways).

More on Indoor Air Quality...

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