One of the main components of a green or eco-conscious lifestyle is a concern about air quality–pollution from autos, trucks, planes, factories. We often overlook the fact that indoor air quality is often worse and can be up to ten times worse than the quality of the air outside our home, our office, and our kids’ school. During the winter most of us are indoors a lot more than during the warmer months so indoor air quality becomes even more important.

It makes sense that the indoor air quality is not as good because indoor air is basically outdoor air trapped indoors with all the pollutants from the home added. Here are some of the chief sources of indoor air pollution.

• Chemicals such as polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), asbestos, dioxin, and formaldahyde are found in furniture, mattresses, carpets, paints, sealants, wiring, insulation and common household products. Then drapes and carpets trap these pollutants as well as dust mites and other allergens. 

• Biological Contaminants such as mold, viruses, mildew, dust mites, animal dander and bacteria. Proper ventilation is crucial as most of these grow in damp, warm environments. These contaminants often lead to allergy related symptoms.

• Second hand smoke from tobacco smokers.

• Combustion from fireplaces, gas stoves, gas space heaters and wood stoves give off carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and small particles.

• Lead in old  pipes.

• Radon is sometimes found in building materials and the bedrock under a house.

Solutions to the problem of indoor air pollution include ventilating the house, growing indoor plants, getting rid of the toxic household products that you may have, buy natural products in the future. Debra Lynn Dadd has a great site about transforming your home from hazardous to healthy.

Tags: carbon monoxide, debra lynn dadd, indoor air pollution, radon, second hand smoke

This entry was posted on Monday, December 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 am and is filed under environment, green living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.