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Poor Indoor Air Quality
Sick Home symptoms develop because the house literally can't breathe. Unless they have special mechanical means of ventilation, homes that are designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can "leak" in and out may have higher pollutant levels than other homes. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.
As a result, homes can get congested with internal pollutants and wreak havoc on both home and homeowner. The air in many homes contains harmful pollutants that are invisible, odorless and not readily detected. These substances can cause health problems such as irritated eyes and nose, headaches, dizziness, tiredness, infections and respiratory diseases.
Pollutants That Contribute to Sick Home Syndrome
- Chemical – Many common household items release toxic and volatile substances that are absorbed into moist, stagnant air, such as building materials, home furnishings, wood finishes, detergents and cleansers.
- Biological – Serious health problems can occur from inhaling the residue of living organisms trapped in common household moisture, such as pollen, fungi, insects, and animal wastes.
- Gases – Your appliances can emit potentially deadly gases which will accumulate, undetected, in moist static air, such as carbon dioxide, radon, formaldehyde, and natural gas.
Most indoor air contaminants are not detected by the senses. When you can see mold or smell musty odors then you can be sure that not only is moisture dangerously accumulating but the contaminants in your house are not being expelled as well.
Humidex effectively expels all types of contaminants and pollutants in the entire house and replenishes it with fresher and healthier air. The air exchange is within the guidelines of the EPA and other health authorities to maintain a healthy home. Air purifiers may only be able to filter certain contaminants and some utilize ozone or other chemicals. Many air purifiers aren’t equipped with a ventilation system that can draw in the pollutants from a large area. Humidex effectively provides an average of 6-10 natural healthy air exchanges per day, without ozone, chemicals, or filters.
| Household Product or Activity | IAQ Issues | Health Effects |
|---|---|---|
|
Moisture from everyday activities: cooking, laundry, washing, breathing |
|
Allergic reactions, asthma, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, fever, and digestive problems |
|
Household Products: |
|
Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. |
|
Tobacco Smoke |
|
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; respiratory infections and bronchitis; lung cancer |
|
Pesticides |
|
Irritation to eye, nose, and throat; damage to central nervous system and kidney; increased risk of cancer. |
|
Combustion Appliances: |
|
Headaches, disorientation, dizziness, nausea, fatigue |
|
New carpeting, pressed wood paneling or furniture, particle or fiber board |
|
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. May cause cancer. |
|
Gas stoves, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves |
|
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; respiratory infections and bronchitis; lung cancer |
|
Unventilated Basement - natural breakdown of uranium in soil. Seepage through floor cracks. |
|
Leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers & the second leading cause of lung cancer in America. |
“After installing the unit, the air quality and moisture content changed over night . . . I do not sneeze every time I go into the house . . .” – Read more on our Professional Testimonials page!
Click here for a video of Dr. Marc Sicklick, Clinical Associate Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, discussing the dangers of poor indoor air.
