For several years the United States EPA has monitored standards of the air we breathe daily. However, in recent years, their focus has been to help improve the air that most home owners breathe for the majority of their lives – the air inside their own homes. It’s for this purpose that there have been several EPA indoor air quality standards set that help home owners, and HVAC manufacturers understand why breathing clean air is so critical to improving quality of life and reducing several health issues.
However, the problem with these EPA standards is that there are often more questions than answers – and for the questions that are answered by this government agency, the content is very hard to comprehend. So, here are a few simple frequently asked questions and answers to help you understand the EPA indoor air quality standards and why it’s important to improve the air quality inside your home.
Most Common Questions About EPA Indoor Air Quality Standards
First – What Causes Indoor Air Problems?
According to the EPA, indoor pollution is defined as any source that releases particles or gases into the air that are the cause of indoor air quality problems inside a home. It is said that the main cause of elevated poor indoor air quality is poor ventilation systems that do not bring enough fresh outdoor air inside the home to dilute emissions from indoor sources (such as ovens, stoves, gas heaters and other mechanical devices we use daily). It is also suggested that high temperatures and high humidity levels can also increase intense concentration of several pollutants, which is why late-summertime in Arizona is a leading time period for indoor air quality issues.
Second – What Are Majors Sources Of Indoor Pollutants?
Believe it or not, there are many common household items that can lead to poor indoor air quality. These items are classified by the EPA as indoor pollutants, and are for the most part combustion-based materials including; gas, oil, coal, kerosene, wood and tobacco products. However, many building materials such as; asbestos-containing insulation, damp or wet carpet or cabinetry and furniture made of certain types of pressed wood can also be considered indoor pollutants. If this list isn’t disturbing enough, other sources include household cleaning products, personal care items, central heating and cooling systems, and common humidification devices often found in homes.
Third – How Much Ventilation Should A Home Have?
This is a hard question to answer, as there are many advantages but several disadvantages of ventilation. It is suggested that if too little outdoor air enters a home that indoor pollutants can be highly focused and lead to some breathing conditions to flair-up such as COPD. However, too much ventilation and more pollutants from outside can enter a home to cause more of a problem. Outdoor air tends to enter a home through three sources:
- Windows & Doors
- HVAC Central Air Systems
- Leaking Ductwork
It is recommended that any home owner take preventive measures to manage the outdoor ventilation of these three areas by making sure windows and doors are opened for short periods of time during a day, by replacing filters of HVAC Central air or heating systems and by repairing ductwork to reduce leaking. By following those three steps you’ll be able to significantly improve EPA indoor air quality standards and improve the air you and your family breathes daily.