Make Each Breath Count: An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

It’s natural to worry about the air we breathe. Each time we step out of our homes, we inhale airborne toxins, from auto exhaust to pollen to pesticides. You’re likely familiar with Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index. This colour-coded chart runs on a scale from one to ten, and is a handy guide to your local outdoor air quality. The higher the number, the more pollutants are found in the air we’re breathing.

Image courtesy of https://www.hkpr.on.ca/health-topics/emergency-preparedness/air-quality/

Yet there is no scale for indoor air quality (IAQ), although that is where we spend most our time.

“It is now recognized that non-industrial indoor environments can contribute significantly to human exposure to airborne pollutants. This is particularly true in countries such as Canada where long cold winters and hot summers result in considerable periods of time being spent in climate-controlled buildings.” Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality – Health Canada

As we continue to build more energy-efficient homes, we further tighten the building envelope, raising the concentration of contaminants in indoor air. In fact, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there is “a growing body of scientific evidence [indicating] that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.”

The image below shows some of the many sources of IAQ contaminants.

Image courtesy of http://www.epa.gov

While chemicals have enhanced the quality of our lives, leading to new products we can’t imagine living without, some are harmful to our health even in very low levels of exposure. The key hazards to human health fall into the following groups:

Chemical

• Radon – This odourless, colourless radioactive gas is naturally occurring and levels can vary greatly by region. In some cases it can seep into a home from the basement and bedrock upon which a house is built, and long-term exposure can lead to lung cancer. All homes should be tested for radon. If you find that your home has unsafe radon levels, there are affordable radon mitigation systems to reduce the gas concentration in your home.
• Formaldehyde – A colourless gas with a pungent odour, this respiratory irritant primarily affects nasal passages, respiration and eyes. It is a known carcinogen and is used in pressed wood products such as particle board, plywood paneling, fiberboard, manufactured wood furniture (including beds and cribs), laminate flooring, and a host of other items found in most homes. The problem with formaldehyde is that it is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that “off gasses” at room temperature. To reduce exposure, opt for low-VOC or formaldehyde free products where possible.
• Short-chain chlorinated paraffin – SCCPs are potential carcinogens that can be used in rubbers, sealants, adhesives, paints, and caulks.
• Phthalates – These “plasticizers” are used in PVC piping and other plastics to make them more flexible and resilient. They are used in an extraordinary array of products, including wallpaper, carpet backing, flooring, blinds, roof membranes, acoustical ceiling tile, and electrical cord insulation. Phthalates are potential carcinogens, can impact endocrine function, and may affect the development of the male reproductive system.
• Lead – While this known carcinogen and developmental and reproductive toxin is no longer used in household paint (or gasoline), it can still be used in some building materials, such as metal flashing, roofing, and electrical cable jacketing. Some homes built before 1978 may contain lead paints, so it’s important to be cautious when sanding or renovating.

Biological

• Mould – Some species produce mycotoxins (by-products of metabolic processes) that are incredibly dangerous and can have serious health consequences, including neurotoxic effects. Mould responds to moisture which is why it’s important to address leaks or flooding risks with regular home inspections. Aim to keep relative humidity levels between 35% and 55%.
• Particulate Matter – Inevitably found in every home, particulate matter includes dust, pet dander, pollens, spores, soot, smoke, liquid droplets, skin cells and cell debris, and insects like mites, which are all potential allergens if not kept under control. It is important to vacuum often.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – By simply breathing, we affect air quality by reducing the concentration of oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide. Particularly in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces this can result in respiratory acidosis and impaired cognitive function. Affects include fatigue or drowsiness, confusion, shortness of breath, and headache. The only truly effective way to reduce CO2 is to ventilate the space with fresh air.

Consumer Products

• Artificial Fragrances – Found in almost all scented products that don’t explicitly advertise that their scents are from solely natural sources, artificial fragrances are increasingly indicated in asthma, cancer, and other serious diseases. We recommend seeking out products labelled “fragrance-free” or “phthalate-free.”
• Cigarette Smoke – So much has been written about this known carcinogen that most people know by now that if they must smoke, they should do so outside.
• Chlorinated Hydrocarbons – Typically found in paint thinners, cleaners, aerosol propellants, glues, chlorinated hydrocarbons have also been detected in drinking water. They can be absorbed by inhalation, or through the skin and gastrointestinal tract, accumulating in the brain, bone marrow, and body fat. Acute, short-term health effects can include dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, depression, and loss of consciousness. Chronic exposure can cause a range of symptoms, from dermatitis, to liver and kidney damage.
• Pest Control Products – Pesticides contain a wide variety of chemicals and their use needs to be carefully monitored. Inadvertent exposure may occur because of contact with building products, surfaces, or household articles with pesticidal preservatives and subsequent release of these into the air. Exposure to pest control products can occur both by inhalation and by absorption through the skin or ingested following contact with foods. Exposure can cause skin or throat irritation to more severe syptoms.

The cheapest solution for many people that are sensitive to these offending impurities is to ventilate as often as weather permits. Increased ventilation not only reduces CO2, but helps dilute contaminants that may affect your well-being. For those with the means, you should purchase a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filter system that can lower your exposure level with an active carbon filter to remove potentially harmful gases and chemicals.

ERTH360 Air is our proprietary solution with six carefully selected and designed features to enhance indoor air quality in new homes. This solution is now available exclusively at Empire Riverland, a new community of town- and single-family homes in Breslau. Visit our solution page to learn more.