by Paul Spivey
With winter approaching and the flu season upon us, you may find yourself sneezing or coughing. But don’t be too hasty! Even though swine flu is pretty exciting, it’s far more likely these symptoms are actually attributed to indoor air pollution, especially during the winter. And here’s why:
The leading cause of indoor air pollution is insufficient ventilation - Fact. While the technological trend for construction assemblies is constantly advancing our ability to create tightly sealed and well insulated exterior envelopes, the interior environment consequently sees fewer air exchanges. And considering most of us spend an average of 85% of our day indoors, even more time is spent inside during the colder winter months – with the windows shut of all things!
Now if you’ve never heard that pollution indoors can be up to five times greater than outside, where have you been? Unfortunately, it’s absolutely true. And the most harmful pollutants we commonly encounter indoors, like radon emissions for example, are also the hardest to detect. That is, until you start feeling sick.
Indoor air pollution is no laughing matter. The most common immediate side effects of indoor air pollution are respiratory complications with the sinuses and lungs, typically resulting in coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. Other common symptoms are rashes, eye or throat irritation, headaches, nausea, or fatigue. On a long term basis, these effects can actually lead to potentially fatal respiratory or heart diseases, even cancer.
And it’s not the President’s fault either; the sources emitting harmful gaseous or particulate pollutants indoors consist of anything that defines the interior built environment. You name it: furniture, construction materials, damp carpet, poorly maintained hvac systems, pressed wood products, wood fireplaces, gas stoves, pets, even household cleaners and beauty supplies… there are just far too many sources of indoor air pollution to cite here, though you could easily research this for yourself. And you should!
Did you know that paraffin which is used in most wax candles is actually a petroleum byproduct from the last stage of refinement, after asphalt? It’s true, and the fumes emitted are similar to burning diesel. Ahhhh, ambiance.
So what do we do about this? Stop, drop, and roll. Duck and cover? Actually, source control, improved ventilation, and air purification systems are better remedies. Fortunately, our industry has seen a flood of better building products and furnishings enter the market as we grow wiser about this subject. And it’s our responsibility as design professionals to be well educated about the materials and products we specify. But what about everyone else?
As you now know, proper ventilation is instrumental to flushing out or cleansing trapped indoor air that can quickly become saturated with dangerously excessive pollutants. Try this: rather than keeping windows cracked open all the time, fully open several windows together for just a couple minutes to quickly flush out the space. Doing this once or twice a day drastically reduces build up. It’s also easier on the hvac system and uses less energy.
As far as ventilation systems are concerned, you should ask yourself how clean yours is. Also be aware that most residential heating and cooling systems primarily function to circulate air and regulate the temperature, not necessarily draw in fresher outdoor air. Regularly changing high particulate furnace filters will also help. The last thing you want to do is accumulate excessive air pollutants and circulate them throughout the entirety of your home through a forced air ventilation system.
The effectiveness of air filtration methods widely varies. Most mechanical devices primarily address the removal of fine particulates. Don’t underestimate the abilities of indoor plants, too. The best ones for humidifying and purifying gaseous pollutants are palms, followed by dracaena, ficus, rubber plants, and even some ivy’s.
By now you realize there’s much more to learn about this topic, and it sure is fun! Just know that indoor air pollution exists as a condition we’ve created for ourselves. Therefore, as design professionals, it’s up to each of us to better understand its multiple variables and take action in providing healthier environments.
Are you feeling better yet?