Imagine this: You’ve just moved into your dream home, the space where you’ll create countless
memories, celebrate milestones, and enjoy the quiet moments of everyday life. But lurking
beneath the surface of this idyllic setting could be an invisible threat, one that could impact
your health, your comfort, and your peace of mind without even making a sound. This unseen
intruder? The quality of your indoor air.
While we often worry about pollution in big cities, smog hanging over skyscrapers, or the
exhaust fumes from a traffic jam, we rarely consider the air inside our own homes. Yet,
according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home can be two to five
times more polluted than the air outside. And considering we spend approximately 90% of our
time indoors, the quality of the air we breathe inside our homes is not something we can afford
to overlook.
Why Healthy Indoor Air Matters
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4.3 million people a year die from
exposure to household air pollution. Furthermore, research has indicated that improving indoor
air quality can reduce the prevalence of asthma symptoms among individuals, with one study
showing a 60% reduction in asthma symptoms in children because of improved indoor air
quality.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
According to the American Lung Association, levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular
concern because of the increased amount of time spent indoors. For example, concentrations
of some pollutants, particularly those related to fine particulate matter, can be up to five times
higher indoors than outdoors.
Improving Indoor Air Quality in Your New Home
- Ventilation: The EPA suggests that increasing the amount of outdoor air coming indoors has
been shown to reduce the concentration of indoor air pollutants significantly. This can be
managed through the use of ERV and HRV units integrated with the HVAC system. - Monitor Humidity Levels: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends maintaining indoor humidity levels between 30-50% to help control mold, dust
mites, and other allergens. Intelligent air management systems will monitor humidity and other
air quality measures. - Reduce Chemical Pollutants: A study published in the journal Environmental Science &
Technology reported that household dust can contain over 45 toxic chemicals related to health
issues, highlighting the importance of reducing chemical pollutants in the home. This can simply be mitigated by regular house cleaning and being mindful of the chemicals and material you allow in your home. - Test for Radon: The EPA estimates that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each
year in the U.S., making it the second leading cause of lung cancer following cigarette smoking.
Most new homes today have either a passive or active radon system installed in the home to
address existing future concerns for this gas. - Air Purifiers and Filtration: According to research by the Harvard School of Public Health, air purifiers and higher performing air filtration can significantly reduce the concentration of particulate matter indoors, leading to improvements in cardiovascular health.
Regular Maintenance is Key
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends that homeowners have their
HVAC systems inspected annually, as they can become significant sources of indoor air
contamination if not properly maintained. We also recommend that the ducting in your home
be thoroughly cleaned every 5 years.
Conclusion
Given the statistics, it’s clear that indoor air quality is not just a minor concern but a significant
health issue. The EPA’s findings that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air underline
the importance of homeowners taking proactive steps to ensure their indoor environment is
safe and healthy. One proactive step, when looking for a new home, is to seek out builders that
make indoor air quality or IAQ an important feature in their homes.