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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.
Indoor Air Quality 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 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:
. the construction of more tightly sealed buildings without sufficient
air exchange
. reduced ventilation rates to save energy
. the use of synthetic building materials and furnishings
. the use of chemically formulated personal care products
. the 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 find out more about our air quality solutions.
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Let us help you every step of the way. more >
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Commercial buildings with better indoor air quality see a 15% to 40% reduction in absenteeism. more >
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In Vancouver between 1992-1998, unsafe drinking water led to an estimated 17,500 physician visits, 85 hospital admissions, and 138 paediatric hospital emergency room visits.
read more in our
education section >
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