Send This Site to a Friend
The Quality of the Air We Breathe Affects Our Health
Quality Of The Air We Breathe At Home Or In The Workplace
How would you rate the quality of air in your workplace?
More importantly what factors are you considering when
rating it?
Your home or work environment may be causing you additional
health risks without you realizing it. On average, Canadians
spend about 80-90 percent of their time indoors, thus the
quality of indoor air is very important. Ask yourself a few
questions:
Does fresh, outside air flow into the room or office you are
usually in? Is the room humid? Are there any gas-fired
appliances? Is your furniture composed of particle board or
wood laminents?
These questions need to be addressed when determining the
quality of air in our home or workplace. Here are the
reasons why.
Does fresh, outside air flow into the room or office you are
usually in? Better insulation can save on heating costs, but
it limits the amount of fresh air that enters and leaves
your house or office. As a lot of water vapour is produced
from normal human activities, fresh air is necessary to get
rid of this extra humidity.
Is the room humid? Humid or damp conditions in your home can
encourage the growth of mould and dust mites. Mould can
develop from too much humidity, building leaks, refrigerator
drip pans, bathroom surfaces and flooding. Mouldy smells
from carpet, wood and gypsum board are a sign that they
harbour fungi. Stale water in humidifiers and air
conditioners can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Are there any gas-fired appliances? Typically, oven and
pilot light emissions are not vented and can contribute
significantly to indoor levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen
oxides and formaldehyde. Of emerging interest as a potential
source of indoor air pollution is the wood burning stove.
Since combustion is much less complete with wood than with
oil and gas furnaces, pollution emissions can be greater.
Though by-products should be vented to the outside, leaks
and improper operation of these appliances can cause
emissions to the indoors. Kerosine heaters are becoming
increasingly popular for space heating. Since these systems
are often unvented, the potential for high level
contamination exists.
Is your furniture composed of particle board or wood
laminents? Formaldehyde is released from wood laminates and
particleboard in which formaldehyde-containing resins have
been used. Urea formaldehyde foam insulation is a
significant source of formaldehyde and possibly other
gaseous products. Insulating materials such as fibreglass
can release particulate matter to indoor air.
Health Risks Illnesses caused by poor air quality range
from skin irritation to sneezing and asthma. In some cases,
toxins from fungi can cause illness. Toxins in dust can
produce fever and flu-like symptoms, especially if the
environment is damp. Viruses can also be found in indoor
air, but they do not usually lead to illness. A virus does
not survive long in air, and getting sick usually results
from contact with infected people.
Here's to your health!
Peter McGarry
For additional free information on health issues regarding
fitness, nutrition, environment and financial well-being
please visit www.magneticrevolution.com This site is
a guide to improving your quality of life.
Back To Our Health and Wellness Center