The air quality in your home or workplace can be affected by pollution from building materials, tobacco smoke or outdoor sources like radon gas. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, poor indoor air quality is linked to both short- and long-term health effects, including heart disease and cancer. A number of organizations have developed regulations and guidelines aimed at improving indoor air quality and protecting the health of occupants.
Tobacco Regulations
According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke inside the home can contribute to a variety of health risks. Tobacco smoke exposure causes respiratory illnesses and ear infections in children and may exacerbate allergies and asthma. Even short-term smoke exposure can cause heart attacks, and long-term exposure is linked to cardiovascular illness and even lung cancer.
As of 2010, at least 27 states and the District of Columbia ban indoor smoking, according to the American Lung Association. In these areas, laws prohibit tobacco use in all public buildings, including many restaurants. Most other areas ban smoking in the workplace, and some even control smoking in apartments and residential structures. To enjoy the best possible indoor air quality, don't allow anyone to smoke in your home, regardless of local regulations.
Radon Gas
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive element. As uranium-bearing rocks within the earth break down, they release radon, which may find its way into homes and other buildings. According to the EPA, breathing radon gas can cause lung cancer, especially among smokers. While there are no federal laws aimed at radon protection, many city and local governments have developed regulations to protect the air in your home from radon. Some laws require builders to use radon barriers underground, while others require testing each time a house is sold according to the EPA.
The EPA recommends that all houses and schools get tested for radon. If test results show radon gas levels above 4pCi per liter, actions should be taken immediately to ventilate the home and minimize radon infiltration. According to the EPA, the U.S. Congress has also set a long-term goal to regulate radon so that levels inside the home can be no higher than they are outside.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, such as formaldehyde, are one of the biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality. VOCs are found in everyday building materials, including carpets, paints, wood stains, adhesives and furniture. The odor you smell when you lay new vinyl flooring or apply fresh paint is caused by VOCs within these materials. According to the EPA, the air in the average home is two to five times worse than the air outside because of VOCs and can be as much as 1,000 times worse if certain VOCs are present. Exposure to VOCs causes everything from allergies to ear infections and is even linked to cancer and nervous system disorders. While few formal regulations exist to govern these toxic substances, choose low-VOC products to help protect your family.
The EPA recommends keeping levels in your home below 0.1 parts per million, or ppm. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, requires VOC levels to stay below 0.4 ppm in mobile home units. The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA, has set strict guidelines for VOCs in all U.S. workplaces. Levels may not exceed 0.775 ppm, and immediate action is required when levels reach 0.5 ppm.
