Indoor air quality is not something most people are aware they should be concerned with. Here in Houston, with our outdoor air being as bad as it, concerns of indoor air pollution typically take a back seat to their outdoor sibling. EPA has conducted studies though which reveal that levels of indoor air pollutants may be 2 to 5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. And when you consider that most people spend over 90% of their time indoors, indoor air quality suddenly takes on greater importance.

The indoor air quality of homes, schools and offices has severely deteriorated over the past 20 years due to the construction of more tightly sealed, less ventilated, structures and an increase in the use of synthetic materials to build and furnish the structures. A new phrase known as Sick Building Syndrome was contrived to explain the symptoms often associated with indoor air pollution. Symptoms include headaches, sinus congestions, dizziness, itchy and watery eyes, nausea, lethargy, and a reduced capacity to concentrate. These health effects lead to decreased work performance and increased absenteeism. It has been estimated that poor indoor air quality at the workplace costs approximately $1 billion dollars a year in related medical expenses and costs employers about $60 billion a year in sick leave payments and lost production.

Where do indoor pollutants come from? Unvented gas-burning stoves and heaters emit carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides; many wood products including furniture and flooring, as well as carpeting and some fabrics contain formaldehyde; and paints, paint strippers, solvents aerosol sprays, cleansers and disinfectants, pesticides and air fresheners emit volatile organic compounds. The best ways to reduce indoor air pollution is to first limit the use of products and materials that can contribute to poor air quality. Second, keep your major appliances, like the HVAC (Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, stove, washer and dryer, regularly maintained. A large majority of pollutants that might other wise float around your work or living space can be captured by your HVAC system’s filters. Standard cardboard frame filters, used by most consumers, are only about 15 % effective in removing pollutants from the air and are ineffective on pollen, smoke, and micro-organisms. Reusable electrostatic filters are slightly more effective at cleaning indoor air and when regularly maintained (by hosing off the accumulated pollutants) can be cheaper than cardboard frame filters. Mechanical air filters are able to remove 95% of all air pollution. That includes dust mites, bacteria, fungus, pet dander, mildew, lint, some and many viruses. Mechanical air filters usually pay for themselves by providing greater energy efficiency and prolonging the life of your HVAC unit.