How To Get Better Indoor Air Quality And Improved Health

March 6, 2014- Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, breathing air that has two to five times more pollutants than outdoor air (in some cases 100 times more). But while outdoor air quality gets plenty of attention, indoor air quality is key as well.

Indoor air quality (IAQ), or indoor environmental quality (IEQ), is often the focus for those with chemical sensitivities, allergies and asthma. Air filters and dehumidifiers have helped homeowners maintain a healthy indoor environment -- but are they enough?

Healthy homes use building materials like no-VOC paints and formaldehyde-free flooring. Air is improved through optimum air filtration, outdoor air ventilation and moisture control. Healthy homes also stress the importance of controlling indoor contaminants like dust.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention takes "healthy home" a step further. Room-by-room, its program makes recommendations to combat common problems – from how to avoid mold in the laundry area to carbon monoxide in the garage.

Health House is a home-building certification program run by the American Lung Association. Health House certified homes promise better IAQ, moisture control, comfort and energy efficiency.

LEED, an international green building certification system, rates homes according to a number of IEQ criteria, such as optimum moisture control, air filtering, contaminant control and radon protection.

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Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.