Indoor Air Quality and Your Health
People spend the majority of their time indoors, where they face significant health risks due to repeated exposure to air pollutants in their homes, offices, schools and other indoor environments. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to numerous immediate and long-term health problems as these pollutants are inhaled and absorbed by the body. Typical pollutants include respirable particles, chemical emissions, biological pollutants, such as mold spores and animal allergens, radon, combustion gases, environmental tobacco smoke and pesticides.
Creating Healthier Indoor Environments
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most effective way to reduce indoor air pollution is to reduce or eliminate the sources harmful chemical emissions. Sources of chemical emissions may include cleaning products, furnishings and furniture, flooring, cabinetry, paint, textiles and building materials. Though federal, state or local law does not regulate product emissions, numerous government and private programs, including public health agencies, have recommended minimal exposure levels for indoor pollutants.
Health Problems Caused by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Many factors determine if people get sick from exposure to indoor pollutants, including the type of pollutant, its concentration, the duration of exposure, the method of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or dermal absorption) and the individual sensitivities of those exposed. Building or home parameters, such as the amount of ventilation, age of the building, indoor temperature and humidity levels, can also have an impact.
Immediate or Acute Health Effects:
- Headaches
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Allergic skin reaction like a rash
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea and/or vomiting
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- Confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nosebleeds
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Long-Term or Chronic Health Effects:Many chronic conditions commonly associated with indoor exposure to both VOCs and mold are allergic respiratory diseases. These diseases may permanently worsen the health of persons affected even after they have been removed from exposure. These conditions include:
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Asthma
Health Problems Associated With Mold
Health problems caused by mold may be acute, which occur immediately, or within a few days of exposure. Health problems may also be chronic, which are long-term health effects that might not occur immediately.Acute health problems associated with indoor mold exposure include:
- Irritated eyes, nose and throat
- Headache
- Difficulty with concentrating or short-term memory
These symptoms together are often called sick building syndrome, but are more correctly referred to as building-related symptoms. Generally, acute symptoms resolve when the person is removed from exposure. However, mold exposure may also aggravate chronic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and may trigger asthma and allergy attacks. Learn more: http://www.greenguard.org/en/index.aspx Damage to the heart, liver or kidneys
- Damage to the central nervous system
- Cancer
- Alzheimer's disease
Examples of Interesting Facts Presented on SF-Tool Website:
- Between 1950 - 2000 the population of the United States nearly doubled, however public demand for water tripled.
- Buildings account for 38% of all energy and CO2 emissions in the United States.
- People living in the United States spend about 90% of their time indoors. (EPA 1987)
SF-Tool - here are some of the ideas that the GSA has regarding sustainable facilities:
- Conference rooms with video conferencing save on the amount of travel needed between locations. This reduces energy usage on travel and CO2 emissions. This is a major GSA initiative.
- Private offices in the future are to be located in the interior of the building. This allows daylight into the workspace where cubicles are located reducing the need for energy used in lighting that space.
- Low flow lavatories and dual flush toilets to reduce water consumption.
- Copy rooms containing multiple recycling bins for toner cartridges, batteries, paper, and cardboard.
- Using multi-use equipment instead of stand alone equipment for copying, scanning and faxing.
- Reusable beverage containers and providing an energy efficient dishwasher in employee break rooms.
- Team conference rooms having occupant sensors to power down lights when no one is present in the room.
The GSA is clearly taking a lead within the Federal Government with "going green" initiatives. Showing the government will focus a great deal of money on products and services that achieve the GSA's initiative.
By Buying Recycled Products with The Office Leader, you helped save:
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- 11,070,562 lbs CO2 equiv...
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Call 866-800-0028 or email us to learn how to GREEN your office!
