Consumer Reports Warns Against Poor Indoor Air Quality

I recently came across a 2012 Consumer Reports magazine article which stated that only 9% of the US population considers Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) a health threat.  The article also stated that many people hurt the quality of the air in their homes, and their choices can worsen asthma, allergies and other health conditions. 

For example, “almost half of Americans use air fresheners at least once a week, and 34 percent use candles or incense that frequently.” That can seriously impact the IAQ in a home, especially if there is no active air exchange equipment integrated into the HVAC system. 

Couple that with the finding that “roughly 40 percent rarely or never clean their humidifier or kitchen range hood, though they use it daily,” and that “one quarter have never cleaned or replaced their furnace filter” and you have quite a chemical and biological toxic soup brewing in homes.

The article also drew attention to a 2009 study by the Environmental Working Group that identified significant air contaminants in 21 household cleaners.  Significant may be an understatement, for in the 21 cleaners, the study found 457 contaminants, 24 of which were linked to serious health concerns, including cancer.  Not all ingredients in those cleaners are required to be listed.  For example, manufacturers are not required to disclose fragrance ingredients, and “one fragrance can contain 50 to 200 compounds, including dozens of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  VOCs are known to have negative health implications. 

I’d like to share with you some general recommendations for protecting yourself and your family and friends from health damaging indoor air quality problems.  I will share some tips in several follow-up posts.  Many of these tips were also recommended in the Consumer Reports article.  I have grouped the recommendations into the following categories:  Indoor Air Quality Related Equipment, Maintaining Proper Indoor Moisture Levels, Filtration, Equipment Maintenance, IAQ/Mold Testing Remediation and Sanitization, Other IAQ Testing, Other Lifestyle Practice Improvements. Stay tuned….