RE: [GBlist] newspaper article on indoor air quality

["Ralph Bicknese" <ralph.bicknese@christnerinc.com>]

Chris:

Thank you for the post on indoor air quality.  I note the irony in one of
the suggestions on how to promote better indoor air quality: - "smoke
outdoors".  The irony is that if one is concerned that smoking indoors
provides a health risk by producing bad indoor air quality what about
smoking period.

Cheers,
Ralph Bicknese

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris N Graham [mailto:chrisngraham@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 2:01 PM
To: greenbuilding@crest.org
Subject: [GBlist] newspaper article on indoor air quality

Here's a topical general-interest article from the San
Francisco Chronicle (reprinted from Newsday) on indoor
air quality that may of interest to list members:

Homes That Take Your Breath Away:
Indoor air quality concerns residents
Gary Dymski, Newsday
Wednesday, January 23, 2002
(c)2002 San Francisco Chronicle

URL:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2002/01/23/HO
175038.DTL



A couple of logs are crackling in the fireplace, and a
pot of soup is simmering on the stovetop. You've
nestled into the recliner with a new novel and a fresh
cigar, and Rover is resting comfortably at your feet.

On this winter day, you have everything that you need.


Except, perhaps, enough fresh air.

There's a good chance your home is insulated so
tightly that it can't breathe. And all those interior
comforts, from simmering soup to an occasional cigar,
to your pet likely are contributing to an increasing
problem in U.S. homes -- indoor air pollution.

According to the American Lung Association, Americans
spend almost 90 percent of their time indoors. In
today's well-insulated houses, that means we could be
breathing air filled with harmful particles such as
carbon dioxide, water vapor, pet dander and nitrogen
dioxide.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says indoor
air in some homes can be two to five times more
polluted -- and in extreme cases as much as 100 times
dirtier -- than outside air.

But there's no need to panic, most experts say. Some
simple steps, especially prohibiting smoking in your
home, can drastically improve indoor air quality.

"Probably 20 to 30 percent of the people who call me
for advice get immediate results from doing basic
things," says Stephen Klossner, an indoor air quality
consultant to builders and remodelers who's based in
St. Paul, Minn.


INCREASE IN ALLERGIES
Some of those basic things include purchasing a
digital carbon monoxide tester, changing furnace
filters monthly, and operating bathroom and kitchen
ventilation fans, says Klossner.

Indoor air quality is a rather recent concern. Since
the late 1980s, cases of asthma and allergies have
been on the rise, especially in children. Today, about
36 million Americans suffer from one of these
problems, and an increasing number of cases have been
linked to indoor air quality.

Energy-efficient doors and windows, and more thorough
insulation practices by builders and remodelers, trap
indoor air and keep less and less outdoor air from
entering the home. Some studies indicate that indoor
air should be exchanged about once every three hours.

@Sh1 Things you can do

-- Use portable room air cleaners, especially those
with HEPA (high- efficiency particulate arrestor)
filters. The EPA says ozone-generating air cleaners
and dual-purpose air cleaners are ineffective and, in
some cases can pollute rather than clean indoor air.

-- Store chemicals, especially cleaners, paints,
polishes and solvents, outdoors or in a ventilated
work area.

-- Continuously operate the furnace fan, regardless of
outdoor air temperature. The filters in a forced-air
system will circulate air and trap particles when the
furnace fan is running.

-- Make sure all fuel-burning appliances -- water
heaters, ranges and furnaces -- are in proper working
order. If there is any doubt, have them annually
inspected by a certified professional.

-- Consider replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with
hardwood floors, ceramic tile and area rugs that can
be cleaned. Wall-to-wall carpeting can be a perfect
habitat for dust mites.

-- Maintain an indoor air humidity level of about 40
percent.

-- Keep mold from growing on indoor surfaces such as
countertops and shower walls.

-- Smoke outdoors.

-- Test for radon, a colorless, odorless gas that
comes from the radioactive decay of radium. Home
testing kits can be purchased at home centers and
hardware stores.

-- Wash bedding and stuffed toys weekly in a water
temperature of 130 degrees (to kill dust mites).

-- When the fireplace is working, provide fresh oxygen
to the room by opening a window slightly.

-- Keep pets away from sleeping areas.

-- If such steps don't provide relief from respiratory
problems, consider more drastic action, including
whole-house filtration and an indoor air audit.

If homeowners want an indoor air audit, make sure the
company providing the service has nothing to sell,
Klossner says. Also, the auditor should understand how
the house works in different seasons and should
provide a remedial plan as part of the service.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Clearing the indoor air
Worried about the state of your indoor air? The EPA
provides a list of suggestions at its Web site
(www.epa.gov/iaq).

The 3M Corp. and the American Lung Association offer
several free booklets on indoor air quality. To get
the booklets, call (800) 388-3458, or download from
these Web sites: www.lungusa.org and
www.healthhouse.org.

The Building Performance Institute offers builders and
remodelers an educational program in indoor air
quality. For information see www.bpi.org.



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This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
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______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________