1. Indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental risks to public health (EPA)
2. But almost 25% of Americans do not show concern for their homes’ indoor air quality
3. 90% of common colds are caught while indoors, breathing indoor air (EPA)
4. Common indoor air pollutants include: dust mites; pollen; mold; bacteria; animal dander; radon; tobacco; carbon monoxide; excessive carbon dioxide; formaldehyde; and other chemical fumes.
5. Indoor air may be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air and in some cases 100 times worse (EPA)
6. Secondhand smoke from tobacco products are a major indoor air pollutant containing about 4,000 chemicals, including 200 known poisons.
7. Second hand smoke causes over 150,000 respiratory problems in infants and 38,000 deaths annually.
8. Only 27% of Americans have carbon monoxide detectors at home. Carbon monoxide can stop coordination, worsen heart conditions, and at very high levels even can cause death.
9. 10% of Americans have never changed the filter on their heating and air conditioning unit.
10. 75% of Americans live with someone who suffers from asthma, allergies, or other respiratory illnesses.
11. Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to asthma, headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue.
12. 1 out of 6 people who suffer from allergies do so as a direct relationship to fungi and bacteria in their air duct systems (Total Health and Better Health Magazines)
13. Your lungs are the most common site of injury by indoor air pollutants (EPA)
14. Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of lung infections, lung cancer and chronic lung diseases.
15. 1 out of 15 American homes has a dangerously high radon level. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters your home through cracks in the foundation floor and walls, drains, and other openings. Indoor radon exposure is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer
Cited: American Lung Association (unless otherwise specified)