By BRIAN LEAHY
of The Gazette
People spend about 90 percent of their time indoors so the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors, health officials warn.
"Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants."
Health problems can show up immediately or years later after exposure to indoor pollutants.
"Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposure," according to the EPA. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. … Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal."
Anyone looking for help on indoor air quality concerns can contact the Portage County Health and Human Services Department at 345-5350 and ask for the Environmental Health office. Lots of written information available and staff can do on-site visits.
"We do some indoor air consultation work," said Mike Carder, environmental health supervisor. "We get calls periodically, especially during the winter because homes are closed up."
Calls are typically about moisture or mildew, Carder said. Other concerns deal with carbon monoxide and combustible gases like methane. The office also has radon gas detection kits for sale.
"We can test for a lot of things if we know what we're looking for," Carder said.
Health officials recommend people try to improve the indoor air quality of their homes even if symptoms aren't noticeable. A haze of cigarette smoke may be the most obvious sign of contaminated air, but indoor air pollution comes from much more than secondhand smoke.
Sources of indoor air pollution include combustion sources, such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources, such as radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution, according to the EPA. Some sources, like building materials, furnishings and household products, like air fresheners, release pollutants continuously, while other sources related to household activities - smoking, cleaning, paint stripping or heating - release pollutants intermittently.
That "new car smell" is actually the "off gassing" of organic chemicals from a car's upholstery, Carder said.
The three basic strategies to improve indoor air are controlling pollution sources, improving household ventilation and using air cleaners.
Source control - eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing emissions - is usually the most effective method for having better indoor air quality, according to the EPA. Source control is also more cost-efficient than increasing ventilation, which can increase energy costs.
Improving ventilation decreases the concentration of indoor air pollutants. Steps can be as simple as opening a window or putting exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Ventilation is especially important when doing activities that produce high levels of pollutants - painting, paint stripping, cooking, welding, soldering or sanding. If possible do these activities outside.
"The solution to so many of those problems is ventilation - at least a short-term solution," Carder said.
As homes have become more energy efficient, they have become more airtight.
"Signs that can indicate your home may not have enough ventilation include moisture condensation on windows or walls, smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and cooling equipment, and areas where books, shoes, or other items become moldy," according to the EPA.
Air cleaners work best when combined with efforts to reduce indoor pollution emissions. They usually do not extract gaseous pollutants.
People looking to purchase air filters should do some research before buying one, Carder said. Filter systems with HEPA (high efficiency particulate arresting) filters work best.
"I highly recommend (using HEPA filters) - especially for people with allergies and dust mites problems," Carder said. "We have had good experience with HEPA filters."
HEPA filters are able to trap the fine particles that get deep into people's lungs, Carder said.