Health Effects of Poor IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

Building related illnesses such as Legionnaire's disease, asthma, hypersensitivity, Pneumonitis, and humidifier fever have been traced to specific building problems.

Sick building syndrome consists of symptoms that do not fit the pattern of any particular illness and are difficult to trace to any specific source. Occupants may complain of burning eyes, nose, dizziness, nausea, headache or irritability which begins when workers enter their offices and diminish when they leave.

The World Health Organization believes that up to 30% of new or remodeled commercial buildings may have unusually high rates of health and comfort complaints that may possibly be IAQ related.

The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that indoor air is up to 70% more contaminated than outdoor air.

50% of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air (American College of Allergists).

One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so as a direct result of the fungi and bacteria in air duct systems (Total Health and Better Magazines).

Children are more likely than adults to be affected by polluted indoor air, they breathe faster, inhale more air per unit of body weight and are closer to the ground where concentrations are higher (Department of Consumer Affairs).

The elderly, asthmatics, and people with breathing problems, allergies, and lung diseases are also likely to be more sensitive to pollutants (Department of Consumer Affairs).

In addition to health issues, poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can affect the efficiency of the ventilation system and cause higher maintenance costs by stressing the mechanical system.

1) 9 out of 10 system failures are caused by dirt and dust. (Lces) louisiana cooperative extension service.

2) Clean systems restore capacity and lessen running time. Translation: savings on monthly heating/cooling bills. (Lces)

3) A buildup of .042 inches of dirt on heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease in efficiency of 21%. (Epa) environmental protection agency.

4) Most commercially purchased fiberglass filters are only 7% efficient in stopping dirt, dust, pollen, etc. Passing through it. (Ashrae)

5) 50% of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air. (American college of allergists)

6) One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to the fungi and bacteria in air duct systems. (Total health & better health magazines)

7) Legionnaire’s disease was spawned in air conditioning ducts. It killed 29 people in 1976. (American lung assoc)

8) In the summer of 1988 at least 7 people died in the los angeles area from legionnaire’s disease. (Modesto bee 9/22/88)

9) Children are more likely than adults to be affected by polluted indoor-air they breathe faster, inhale more air per unit of body weight and are closer to the ground where concentrations are higher. (Dept. Of consumer affairs)

10) The elderly, asthmatics, and people with breathing problems, allergies, and lung diseases are also likely to be more sensitive to pollutants. (Dept. Of consumer affairs)

11) Most people spend 60-90% of their time indoors. (Ala) american lung association

12) Indoor air is found to be up to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air. (Epa) environmental protection agency