PRESS RELEASE: INDOOR AIR POLLUTION “HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC LEVELS” SAYS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION “HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC LEVELS” SAYS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

Expert Has Tips on How to Defeat this Increasing Health Risk

Indoor air pollution can threaten the health -- and the lives -- of everyone in your family.

There isn’t a confined space that can avoid the problem. In fact, indoor air pollution, building-related illness, and "sick building syndrome" have received increased attention over the last several years.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the quality of indoor air can be many times worse than outdoor air. EPA declared things are getting worse, saying, “indoor air pollution has reached epidemic levels”. Along with help from the EPA, the American Lung Association conducted a report identifying “… indoor air quality as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health”.

Indoor air pollution contains 70 times the pollutants of outside air. Naturally, people who have respiratory diseases are at greater risk. Indoor air quality can affect people's long and short term health and can have economic and legal implications.

Effects/causes of the indoor air quality issues (According to the EPA):
· watery eyes

· Frequent colds

· Lack of energy

· Sore throats

· Chronic fatigue

· Digestive problems

· Headaches

· Asthma

· Allergies

· Pneumonia (including Legionnaire’s Disease, which can be fatal in people over the age of 50).

· Tuberculosis

· And more

American adults spend about 90% of their time indoors, and thanks to our more tightly insulated/sealed homes and workplaces, the concentration of pollutants indoors may be even higher than outdoors.

Tom Scalera, owner of Stanley Steemer of South Florida, http://www.steemerofsouthflorida.com/, has become an expert on this issue and getting rid of it. His franchise specializes in removing those indoor pollutants. He has invested a lot of money into the indoor air quality issue, including buying a $100,000, top of the line truck, that is entirely focused on cleaning up indoor pollutants. There is believed to be only a handful of these trucks along the entire eastern seaboard.

Tom’s Tips for a healthier indoor air environment within your home:

1) Declare your home a Smoke-Free home. Most of us have heard about the dangers of second hand smoke. (Smokers Please Smoke Outside)
2) Good ventilation reduces indoor air pollution. So leave doors between rooms open for better air circulation. Open windows when possible on low humidity days to allow for a good supply of outdoor air.
3) Keep humidity levels low with a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Have them cleaned regularly so they do not become a source encourages the growth of mold and other biological pollutants. NADCA, the National Association of Duct Cleaning, recommends inspection of the HVAC or air conditioning ventilation system yearly. Periodic cleaning of the air conditioner, including the coil, blower motor and drain pan can reduce the amount of pollutants in your home.
4) Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Use a filter which can remove smaller size particles (microns) from the air.
5) Wash bedding material once a week in a hot water (at least 130 degrees) to keep dust mites and other allergens to a minimum.
6) Brush your dog or cat outside regularly. This helps minimize the pet dander within your home.
7) Check commercial cleaning products and pesticides for toxic ingredients. Use these products in a well ventilated area. Consider using less toxic alternatives.
8) Clean carpet and upholstery on a regular basis. They are the biggest filter that you have in your house and capture many particulants and biological pollutants.

For more information or professional help from the best in the business go to http://www.steemerofsouthflorida.com.

Disclosure: I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.