Survey finds homeowners still unaware of indoor air risks

According to a recent survey by the Canadian Lung Association, 90% of homeowners polled were not aware that exposure to poor indoor air quality can lead to major health problems. Results from the study proved that the concept of indoor air pollution remains relatively ambiguous to most homeowners.

Gerry Gagnon, Product & Market Manager for Venmar Ventilation, explains: “Most people feel safe in their homes and simply put, affiliate air toxins with the outdoor environment particularly with concern for acid rain, ozone, smog etc. Overall, little emphasis is placed on the possibility of indoor health related illness, except in regard to the ambient air or toxic exposures in the work place.”

Despite this commonly held belief; there is now growing evidence that indoor air pollution can adversely affect human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that indoor pollution may be 100 times higher than pollution outside.

Today’s well-insulated homes only exacerbate the problem as they often lack the ability to “breathe” freely. Changes in construction methods driven by energy and efficiency issues since the 1970s, combined with traditional construction materials and finishes being used, “seal inside” the allergens, irritants, and toxins, driving the astronomical increases in respiratory disorders being seen today.

Different homes have different problem areas. In most cases, homes have an overly humid basement that breeds molds and other unhealthy micro-organisms. According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation more than 50 per cent of all homes show visible signs of high levels of basement humidity.

A recent report by the Commission for Environmental Co-operation found that asthma rates among children in North America are now four times higher than they were 20 years ago.

Experts believe the reason for these staggering increases in respiratory illness have to do with the fact that we spend 90% of our time indoors, surrounded by a vast array of indoor pollutant sources. High amounts of chemicals, moisture, allergens and molds, can contribute to indoor air pollution and are linked to a series of lung problems such as asthma, chemical sensitivities and allergies.

As it stands, it is up to the homeowner to contend with health problems attributed to indoor air pollution. According to Gagnon, the most assured and practical way to clean indoor air is to invest in an air exchanger system that will filter out harmful pollutants and distribute fresh air throughout the home.

The latest technology in indoor air management is the Venmar air exchanger which combines the benefits of both HEPA filtration and ventilation. This system evacuates polluted indoor air and replaces it with fresh, filtered, outdoor air by trapping airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander mold and bacteria. Excess humidity during the cold season as well as harmful gaseous pollutants not trapped by the system’s HEPA filter are also drawn outside and eliminated.

This article was provided by Venmar Ventilation, the leader in state-of-the-art air ventilation systems. More information is available at www.venmar.ca .