Health and Indoor Air Quality By Katherine Fisher, Co-owner and Vice President of SWAT Environmental of Pennsylvania About the Author: Katherine Fisher is co-owner and Vice President of SWAT Environmental of Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Purdue University.
M
ost people associate air quality with smog or pollutants outdoors, but indoor air quality can have a more direct effect on one’s health. Research indicates that people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors. Therefore, it is prudent to concern ourselves with potential health risks of indoor air. While some health effects are immediate, others may not be evident until years later or unless exposure to the substance has been prolonged. Most indoor air issues are identifiable by the symptoms associated with exposure. However, some dangerous substances have no immediate symptoms and require a homeowner be proactive to ensure safety. Radon is a known carcinogenic gas that can accumulate indoors and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, so testing is necessary to determine if it is present. When radon is found, a radon mitigation system can be installed in a home to significantly reduce dangerous radon concentrations. Radon causes damage over an extended period of time. There are no symptoms associated with radon exposure unless lung cancer develops.
e
{40} GLVR Magazine | Spring 2019
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a home be tested for radon every two years and that mitigation be done for levels about 4.0 picocuries/liter. The EPA states that exposure to radon at a level of 15 picocuries/liter carries a cancer risk similar to the risk of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection estimates that 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes contain radon levels higher than the suggested action level. Carbon monoxide is another potentially fatal indoor pollutant associated with fuel burning appliances in the home. Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended for any home that has any type of fuel burning heating or cooking appliance, as well as homes with an attached garage. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and tasteless, and severe illness or death can occur quickly at high concentrations. Early exposure symptoms include headache, nausea, confusion and dizziness. The symptoms sometimes mimic food poisoning or the flu. At high concentrations carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness and death. All fuel burning appliances should be properly installed and regularly
maintained for safety. Most other indoor pollutants will cause some level of symptoms depending on the concentration of the pollutant, as well as a person’s age and their preexisting medical conditions. One’s reaction to many pollutants depends on their individual sensitivity. Allergy symptoms such as cough, congestion, headache, eye or skin irritation and breathing issues such as asthma could be related to exposure of an indoor pollutant. If the source of the irritation can be identified and mitigated, the symptoms should resolve. These substances may be biological, chemical or combustion based. Biological contaminants include molds, mildew, bacteria, cockroaches, pollen, animal dander or saliva and dust mites. Allergy testing might be necessary to accurately identify the most likely irritant. Once the irritant has been identified, steps can be taken to reduce exposure to the offending substance. Some possible remediation steps include: • Using exhaust fans vented outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms. • Thoroughly cleaning or removing water damaged carpets or building