Why should individuals be concerned about indoor air purity?
We often think of outdoor air as being more polluted than indoor air, although the EPA reports that the indoor air can be up to 10 times more polluted than the outdoor air. This is due to the introduction of chemicals, pollen, pets, mold, dust mites, cosmetics, etc. Most at risk are the young, elderly and those with compromised immune systems. We see the effects of indoor air quality showing up with increased cases of allergies and asthma. As our homes become more energy efficient, there is less ventilation with outside air and the indoor air becomes more polluted.
The EPA website warns, "In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors."1
1. "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality" Environmental Protection Agency Source: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html
