Homeowners are often
not aware of the invisible and extremely important component to
their comfort and health:
AIR QUALITY. The air you are inhaling in
many instances, in your own home, has in it pollutants, gases
(radon, carbon monoxide, etc.) and mold
toxins, more detrimental
to your health than the air outside, resulting in the Sick Home
Syndrome. What is happening in most cases is that when windows and
doors are closed, the house cannot breathe and rid itself of these
elements.
Sick Home Syndrome Air
quality ranks high on the list of government environmental
concerns. The air in many homes contains harmful pollutants that
are invisible, odorless and not readily detected. These substances
can be more detrimental than the air outside and can cause health
problems such as irritated eyes and nose, headaches, dizziness,
tiredness, infections and respiratory diseases.
Indoor pollution
sources that release gases or particles into the air are the
primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate
ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing
in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and
by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High
temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations
of some pollutants.
If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can accumulate
to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Unless they
are built with special mechanical means of ventilation, homes that
are designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air
that can "leak" into and out of the home may have higher
pollutant levels than other homes.
In a process known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into the
house through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and
ceilings, and around windows and doors. In natural ventilation,
air moves through opened windows and doors. The rate at
which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the air
exchange rate. When there is little infiltration, natural
ventilation, or mechanical ventilation, the air exchange rate is
low and pollutant levels can increase.