Photo credit:
Hryck., flickr
Indoor air quality refers to the potentially toxic effects of chemicals in the air we breathe in our homes and workplaces. Poor indoor air quality is becoming so pervasive that the term Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) has been coined to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building—yet no specific illness or cause can be identified.
Signs of Sick Building Syndrome include:
- Acute discomfort from headaches; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
- Unknown cause of symptoms.
- Relief of symptoms soon after leaving the building.
The deadly dangers from common indoor toxins such as VOCs and cigarette smoke include damage to the liver, kidneys or brain and nervous system and even cancer.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists these potential causes of Sick Building Syndrome:
- Inadequate ventilation
- Chemical contaminants from indoor sources (VOCs, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other inhaled irritants)
- Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources (vehicle exhaust, plumbing vents and building exhausts, and combustion products from nearby garages)
- Biological contaminants (bacteria, mold, pollen and viruses)
Indoor air quality inside homes is frequently impacted by toxic chemicals in household cleaners and VOCs in furniture, paints and finishes.
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