Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Many people are concerned about indoor air quality. An analysis of the air in a new office building in the USA where the workers were complaining of discomfort and illness found that the enclosed heated and air conditioned environment recirculated rather than dispersed emissions from the indoor wall, ceiling, floor, and furnishings. Ventilation, introducing fresh air removed any problems.

Many key research papers show that carpet, in fact, contributes significantly to cleaner indoor air. Three major pollutants of indoor air quality are formaldehyde which is emitted from a wide range of building products, oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur both of which are by-products of combustion processes (e.g., gas cookers and heaters).

Research has shown that wool is particularly effective absorbent of these gases. A study in the US has shown that wool has one of the highest rates of removal of nitrogen dioxide from the atmosphere. Because of the 3 dimensional nature of carpet with the wool fibres in the pile standing vertically from the backing, the wool fibres present a considerable fibre area for the absorption of gases. One square metre of carpet containing 1Kg of wool will present a fibre surface for gaseous absorption of 100 square metres.
Other studies have shown that large amounts of sulphur dioxide are also absorbed and held by wool fibres in carpet.

Greenpeace -

A pinch of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Cleaning is less harmful to the environment if people use alternative cleaners, rather than products containing chemicals and other environmentally damaging ingredients.

The topic of IAQ has become popular due to the greater awareness of health problems caused by mold and triggers to asthma and allergies.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducts Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs) in workplaces at the request of employees, authorized representative of employees, or employers, to determine whether any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects, including indoor air quality.

Indoor air pollution

When people think about the quality of the air they breathe they tend to think of the outdoor environment which is often polluted by vehicles and emissions from industry.
However, many of the pollutants that affect people's health can be found in high levels indoors, where people spend most of their time.
These pollutants include:

Nitrogen Dioxide
Mould spores
Dust Mites
Carbon monoxide
Nicotine from cigarettes
Fur and hair from pets
Sources and health affects of pollutants in the home

More info on these pollutants:

Nitrogen dioxide is produced from gas cookers and fires and can cause breathing problems at high levels. It can also lead to infections of the lungs and airways.
Condensation can lead to mould growth, which can release spores into the atmosphere. These spores can cause breathing problems, particularly in asthmatic people.
House dust mites grow rapidly in warm, damp conditions. They are tiny microscopic insects which live in carpets and bedding, and feed on dust and flakes of skin. These mites can trigger allergic reactions like asthma.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are given off from certain paints, glues, polishes and cleaning products. Formaldehyde is a type of VOC which is used to coat new furniture and chipboard and can cause headaches, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and make people feel sick. Some VOCs can increase your chance of getting cancer if you are regularly exposed to them over a long period of time.
Tobacco smoke will release chemicals such as nicotine and tar into the air, and pollutants such as particulates and carbon monoxide. There is some evidence that if you breath in other people's tobacco smoke over a long period of time this can increase your chance of getting lung disease or cancer. It can also make symptoms of asthma worse.
Carbon monoxide also comes from gas boilers or fires if they are not working properly and can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea at low levels. At high levels carbon monoxide can kill because it reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Monitoring of pollutants indoors

Although indoor air pollution levels are not regularly monitored by us, we can refer you to organisations who can. This is used to test the level of carbon monoxide in a workplace or someone's home if they are concerned that their boiler may not be working properly and is giving off fumes.
There have been other studies carried out in the UK which have looked at levels of pollutants indoors, and where they come from. The results showed that in many houses, the level of pollution was higher than outside. Cooking with gas and painting were two things that caused high pollution levels.

What can be done to reduce pollution levels indoors

The best way to keep indoor pollution levels low is to avoid anything that causes the pollution in the first place. This is not always possible, so often ventilation (opening windows and air vents) is the easiest way to stop pollution levels building up.
When cooking with gas, make sure that the kitchen is ventilated properly to remove pollutants by keeping windows and air vents open. Gas appliances should be regularly serviced and have a permanent means of ventilation available. Chimneys should be regularly swept whatever the type of gas appliance.
When carrying out decorating work always make sure rooms are well ventilated by opening a window, and avoid breathing in fumes from glues, paints, cleaning products and polishes.
When using household cleaning products, try using solid or liquid types instead of sprays.
Moulds and dust mites like damp conditions so always remove water vapour from kitchens and bathrooms by using extractor fans or opening windows. Cleaning and ventilation will keep dust mites under control since it reduces damp.
Dust mites can be reduced by keeping rooms free from dust, and by washing bedclothes and soft toys regularly at temperatures high enough to destroy the eggs. Temperatures above 60 degrees will do this. You can also get special covers for pillows and mattresses.
If a pet is causing an allergic reaction you may want to think about whether you should continue to keep it. If you do decide to keep your pet, it is best to have them out of the house as much as possible. Washing them regularly, about once a week, will also help.
Ask people not to smoke in the house.

Asthma, allergy and air quality

What are allergies and asthma?

These are conditions where the body overreacts to fairly harmless substances causing a variety of symptoms. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, tight chest, wheezing and shortness of breath. Symptoms of allergies include sneezing, runny nose, sore eyes and itchy throat. Asthma is often an allergic condition, so allergy sufferers may also have these symptoms. Eczema and some other skin conditions can also be caused by an allergy.

Causes of asthma and allergies

The causes of asthma and allergies are not completely understood, although there is a tendency for asthma and allergies to run in families. It is also known that children whose mothers smoked while pregnant are more likely to have asthma. Recent studies have shown that air pollution can make the symptoms of some allergies worse and in some people, may actually cause asthma.
Asthma can develop in some adults due to a reaction to chemicals or fine dusts at work, for example, people who work in bakeries, or with some types of wood dust. This type of asthma is known as occupational asthma.

What things trigger symptoms?

Most people who have asthma and allergy problems are not ill all the time, but have their symptoms triggered by things around them. Many of these triggers are found in the air. Asthma and allergy are often triggered by the same things. Pollen for example, which comes from grass and trees can cause both an allergy (hayfever) and asthma, as can furry pets.
House dust mites (tiny creatures too small to see that live in bedding and carpets), and moulds (often found in damp bathrooms and on window frames) can lead to asthma and some types of allergy. Asthma can also be triggered by having a cold, by exercise or by cigarette smoke, which irritates the lungs.
There is recent evidence that certain air pollutants can trigger an asthma attack in someone who already has asthma. These include nitrogen dioxide and small particles (PM10), which mostly come from car exhausts. Ozone can also lead to symptoms in asthmatic people. Ozone is formed by the reaction of motor vehicle exhaust fumes with strong sunlight.

What can be done to help?

Asthma and allergy sufferers?

There are many different ways to control asthma and allergies. Effective drugs are now available and your doctor can give advice on these. Asthma and allergic conditions can also be helped by avoiding those things that trigger symptoms. For example, if you know your asthma is triggered by furry animals or cigarette smoke, you should try not to spend too much time where you might be affected by them. Some further examples of what you can do are given below.

Dust mites and moulds?

These thrive indoors when the atmosphere is warm and damp. Keeping the house well ventilated, opening windows and using extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens will help prevent damp air. Wiping surfaces with a slightly damp cloth rather than a duster will stop the allergens (substances that cause an allergic reaction) produced by moulds and dust mites from getting into the air.
Vacuum cleaning carpets and soft furnishings regularly, and washing bedding at a temperature of over 60 °C can help stop levels of dust mites building up.

Hayfever and pollen asthma?

Most people who suffer from these types of allergies can control their symptoms by taking antihistamine tablets or other types of medication. Your doctor can tell you more about this. Pollen levels can be kept down indoors by showering and changing clothes regularly, as the pollen will stick to your clothes and hair.
Washing your pets can also help if they spend a lot of time outside. The pollen counts given by the TV, radio and newspapers show if there will be a lot of pollen around, and on very bad days you could stay indoors. Pollen levels are usually highest in the early morning and late evening.

Air pollution?

If you think your asthma is made worse by air pollution, you should keep well informed on air pollution levels. This information is available on teletext, the Internet and from the DETR hotline (0800 556677). Factsheet sixgives more details of where to find this information.

How can air quality be improved?

There are many things that people can do everyday to make a small impact in reducing air pollution but if everyone was to follow these simple examples, then their local air quality and environment will benefit greatly.
If your know someone who regularly drives, tell them about these ways to reduce pollution from their vehicle and improve local air quality. Many of them will also save money.

Adopt a better driving style

Motor vehicles produce the most emissions when they first start up, as the engine is cold. Emissions also rise when vehicles are idling in traffic jams, or driven very slowly, so short journeys will produce proportionally more pollution than a longer journey.
Poor driving, rapid accelerating and braking sharply will also produce more emissions and increase the amount of fuel used.

Regularly service your vehicle
Driving any vehicle which is poorly maintained will increase exhaust emissions, so it is important to make sure engines are serviced regularly - this not only increases the performance of the engine, but cuts down on emissions too.
It is also important to check tyre pressures as under inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption and are dangerous.
Turn off the engine when your vehicle is parked
Running the engine while the vehicle stationary adds unnecessarily to pollution emissions and can be a nuisance to local people. Engines should therefore be switched off whenever possible.
Local authorities now have the authority to require drivers to switch their engines off when parked and will issue a fine of £20 if the driver refuses.
Develop a Green Travel Plan. Whether you are looking at adopting a better lifestyle for yourself or for yourself and your employees, focusing on developing a green plan can help the environment. This may include purchasing a greener vehicle, traveling by bicycle, travelcards, bus & rail. Encouraging employees to share their journeys by car can also be a good way to reduce your companies carbon footprint.
There are many types of vehicles available that are cleaner than normal petrol or diesel cars. These include vehicles that have been fitted with particle traps or catalytic convertors (“cats”) which reduce particulate and nitrogen oxide pollution or those that run on cleaner fuel such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or electricity.
Grants are available from the Energy Saving Trust for the public and businesses to buy or convert to a greener vehicle and most of these vehicles are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles.www.est.org.uk - The Energy Saving Trust website for grant information.
Use your car less.
Try not to use the car for short trips such as to the local shops or to visit friends because a cold engine produces much more pollution. Instead of using the car, think about other forms of transport (bus, tube, train) or walking or cycling short distances.
Also think about not driving your car when there are warnings of high air pollution.

Indoor air quality - sick building syndrome

A strong incentive for providing office space with good indoor air quality is the avoidance of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
SBS can result in increased staff absences and reduced morale. An alert office owner or tenant should recognise that the office itself is a potential cause of the problem.
In providing a healthy office, we need to be aware that SBS typically has several causes, including:
Poor indoor air quality, through a combination of inadequate ventilation / filtration and the emission of toxic chemicals - mainly volatile organic compounds - from a huge variety of sources, including carpets, varnish, paint, engineered wood, printers, photocopiers and perfume;
Uncomfortable working environment in terms of heat, humidity and light. A combination of daylight and views outside is a particularly important attribute of a more sustainable building, as it provides a valuable connection with the rhythms of the natural environment - reducing the oppressive insularity of an entirely artificial space.
VOCs play a role in sick building syndrome. But they also cause problems when released to the external environment. In certain weather conditions, they help generate photochemical oxidants which can have significant detrimental effects on health and can even degrade some materials. Therefore, as well as guarding against the ongoing release of VOCs into the internal environment, sustainability design should limit their release during construction and decoration and throughout the supply chain.