Indoor Air Quality

The quality of air in our homes has a dramatic effect on our health. The following statistics are some of the reasons why you should be concerned about IAQ:

    1. •Asthma epidemic (20 million Americans have it) and it causes almost 2 million ER visits per year, & 3,000 deaths/year

    2. •Studies are showing correlations between mold and asthma

    3. •Indoor dampness increases risk of respiratory problems by 30% to 50%. 

    4. •EPA estimates indoor air typically has 2-5 times more chemical pollutants than outdoor air.

    5. •VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) found in carpets, sealants, paints, wood trim, cabinetry can off-gas and lead to heath problems such as; eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea; and damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

    6. •Carbon monoxide from combustion appliances and garages causes over 6,000 deaths per year.

    7. •Many people store harmful chemicals (paints, cleaners, gas, etc) in attached garages


Now think about this:

People spend more than 90% of their time indoors!


IAQ Strategies:

BUILD TIGHT VENTILATE RIGHT!

  1. •Have your home certified through the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program (supplemental third party inspection for Energy Star Homes.)

  2. •Tight construction- low air leakage

  3. •Install a balanced whole-house ventilation system that controls pollutants, allergens, dust, and moisture

  4. •Source control- exhaust fans in kitchen, bath, and laundry rooms

  5. •Quality HVAC air filters

  6. •Masking off all duct openings during construction to prevent contaminants and particulates from entering the HVAC system

  7. •Pre-occupancy whole home flush

  8. •Air-sealing between garages and living space

  9. •Garage ventilation fans

  10. •Limiting carpet- although carpet can be very comfortable, it can harbor dust mites and particulates, and new carpet can contain toxic VOCs. We recommend limiting the carpet in a house, but if a homeowner is set on carpet, we suggest using low VOC carpet.

  11. •Using low/no VOC paints, sealants, floorings, cabinetry, millwork, etc.

  12. •Sealed combustion appliances- all water heaters, furnaces, fire places are sealed,direct/power-vented to prevent carbon monoxide backdrafting

  13. •Moisture control measures- to prevent mold growth

  14. •Radon mitigation

GREEN BUILDING

Green Building Myths

Health & Safety

Indoor Air Quality

Radon

Durability

Quality Comfort Beauty

Energy Efficiency

Passive Solar Design

Renewable Energy

Resource Efficiency

Water Efficiency

Environment

Owner Education

Performance Testing