Fact:  Almost 50% of Canadians suffer from some sort of allergic reaction

Fact:  15-20% of children have asthma and that number is growing

Fact:  Improving office IAQ has been shown to reduce worker absenteeism by up to 40%

Indoor Air Quality Quick Facts:

• Nearly half of Canadians suffer from some sort of allergic reaction and 15-20% of children have asthma.
• In a report titled Polluted Children, Toxic Nation: A Report on Pollution in Canadian Families, lab tests found that adults in their test group had an average of 32 toxins in their bodies, while children had 23.
• It takes a new home about 15 years to fully off-gas pollutants such as formaldehyde (in particleboard and MDF), xylene and toluene (in paint), and vinyl chloride (in vinyl floors and PVC windows).
• The Business Case for Green Buildings report found 15 to 40% reduced absenteeism amongst employees in green commercial buildings.

What's in the Air You're Breathing?

Micro-organisms such as fungi (moulds, yeasts), bacteria and viruses. Usually passed from one infected person to another, viruses can live for three to four hours circulating through the HVAC system without a host.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals in perfumes, hairsprays, air fresheners, glues, paint, building materials, dry-cleaned clothes and cleaning products. Photocopiers and other office printing equipment can also give off chemical emissions.

Particulates such as cigarette smoke, dust, pollen, fumes, fog and mist can cause respiratory difficulties, coughing, sneezing, nose and throat irritation, eye irritation and/or contact lens problems, and can trigger allergies for some people.

Formaldehyde is used in the production of plywood, carpeting, insulating foams, and even paper products like bathroom tissue and paper towels, all of which off-gas formaldehyde in its gaseous form. At high enough concentrations, it can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, cause headaches, difficulty breathing and a burning sensation in the throat. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classes formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colourless toxic gas. Exposure to high levels of CO can be fatal, causing suffocation.

Ground-level Ozone is an air pollutant with harmful effects on the respiratory systems of animals. NOTE: Many air purifiers on the market today off-gas ozone. Radec's line of air scrubbers have been thoroughly researched; they do not emit any ozone and have the best warranty available.

What affects Indoor Air Quality?

Over the past several decades, people's exposure to indoor air pollution
has increased due to a variety of factors. These include:

• Construction of more tightly sealed buildings without sufficient air exchange

Reduced ventilation rates to save energy

• Use of synthetic building materials and furnishings

• Use of chemically formulated personal care products

• Use of pesticides and housekeeping supplies

• Building deterioration due to age, improper maintenance or design

Children are more vulnerable than adults are to indoor air pollution, and exposure to indoor contaminants can have a significant impact on a child's respiratory system. Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. A rise in the number of diagnosed asthma cases in recent years has been linked to poor air quality. Exposure to respiratory allergens at an early age increases the likelihood of health problems such as asthma later in life.

Contact Radec to address your concerns, or click to see our ventilation and air filtration solutions.