| ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS | | | | and upholstery that will attract fleas, dust mites and lice, |
| “DANGER OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION IN OUR | | | | and creates a health hazard. Health experts claim that |
| HOMES AND OFFICES” | | | | many health problems that children have come from |
| Many times we are not aware of the air impurities that | | | | playing on dirty carpets. It can cause allergies and |
| linger in our homes and offices. The question is how | | | | rashes. |
| dangerous is the indoor air we breathe? | | | | To remedy this problem, have your carpets vacuumed |
| In the last several years, the Environmental Protection | | | | at least 3 times a week. For deep cleaning of your |
| Agency has indicated that the air within homes and | | | | carpet, have a professional carpet cleaner do the job. |
| other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the | | | | Your carpet will be fresh and clean, which will reduce |
| outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized | | | | many health problems. |
| cities. Other research indicates that people spend | | | | Tobacco smoke is one of the unhealthy indoor air |
| approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, | | | | pollutes in homes and offices. The smoker is inhaling a |
| for many people, the risks to health may be greater | | | | complex mixture of over 4,000 compounds, more than |
| due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors. | | | | 40 of which are known to cause cancer. Tobacco |
| Good ventilation is important. There are signs that | | | | smoke lingers on for days. It has the nature to cling on |
| can indicate your home may not have enough | | | | fabrics and walls. I have seen darkened walls at |
| ventilation: moisture condensation on windows or walls, | | | | homes and apartments of people who smoked. The |
| smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and air cooling | | | | unhealthy fact is that nicotine and carbon monoxide |
| equipment, and areas where books, shoes, or other | | | | are present in the sticky oily residue tobacco leaves |
| items become moldy. To detect odors in your home, | | | | behind on fabrics and walls. |
| step outside for a few minutes, and then upon | | | | Heating and air conditioning filters, are culprits, which |
| reentering your home, note whether odors are | | | | cause unhealthy indoor air pollution in homes and |
| noticeable. | | | | offices. |
| There are 5 main pollutants active in your home or | | | | Mechanical ventilation systems in large buildings are |
| office that you should be aware of, and do something | | | | designed and operated not only to heat and cool the |
| about. They are: mildew, cooking odors, pets, tobacco | | | | air, but also to draw in and circulate outdoor air. |
| smoke and heating and air conditioning filter vents. | | | | Inadequate ventilation can occur if the air supply is |
| Let’s look at each active air pollutants, its source, | | | | blocked in such a way that outdoor air does not |
| and its remedy. | | | | actually reach the breathing zone of building occupants. |
| Mildew is a big contributor in indoor air pollution. | | | | Improperly located air intake vents can also bring in air |
| Mildew spores will grow anywhere there is moisture. | | | | contaminated with automobile and truck exhaust, |
| You will find it in carpets, upholstery, a damp wall and | | | | fumes from dumpstors, or air vented from restrooms. |
| bathroom. Mildews release disease-causing toxins. As | | | | These air vents can also become a breeder for |
| it grows it spreads bacteria, which become airborne | | | | bacteria, mold and mildew. These toxins are airborne |
| that causes health problems, such as allergies. | | | | making it unhealthy in working and living environments. |
| Cooking odors, are a combination of steam, oils and | | | | |
| smoke. It is easy for these odors to travel around the | | | | To insure your safety and those around you, invest in |
| house, and cling to walls and furniture. Soon the odors | | | | a good air cleaner. Air cleaners with a HEPA filter |
| will age. | | | | removes 99.9% of tobacco smoke, pollens, bacteria, |
| It can be a buffet for insects, like cockroaches. The | | | | harmful fibers, allergens and pollutants. There are many |
| cooking odors can be diminished by proper ventilation | | | | types and sizes of air cleaners on the market, ranging |
| and clean oven air filters. | | | | from relatively inexpensive tabletop models to |
| Pet odors are the most offensive odors in a house. | | | | sophisticated and expensive whole-house systems. |
| Dogs rubbing their backs on the carpet, or sleeping | | | | Indoor air pollution can be reduced, and make your |
| near or on a sofa will leave their body oils and dander. | | | | home or office a healthy environment for your family |
| Male cats marking their territory with pungent urine | | | | and co -workers. |
| scent. These pet odors are hidden deep in your carpet | | | | |