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Dangers of Poor IAQ
Gases
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde can cause headaches, difficulty breathing and
other immediate symptoms. The long term effects of formaldehyde
can be devastating; it is classified as a “known human
carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research
on Cancer. To read about a real-world example of how elevated
formaldehyde levels have caused problems in the FEMA trailers
provided to victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans
and on the Gulf coast, click here. |
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Radon
Radon is one of the most lethal indoor air pollutants. It
is a radioactive gas and is a carcinogen. It is estimated
that radon is the cause of 21,000 lung cancer deaths each
year. Though testing is available for relatively low cost,
many homes remain untested.
Carbon
Monoxide
At low levels, Carbon monoxide can cause fatigue and chest
pain. At higher levels of exposure, symptoms include dizziness,
headaches and disorientation. Carbon monoxide can be fatal
at high doses. Because it is practically odorless and tasteless,
extreme care must be taken to limit exposure. Leaving a
car engine running in a garage can be lethal to the occupants
of a home.
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Chemical
Allergies and MCS
In certain people, specific chemicals may cause an allergic
response including headaches, sore throat, breathing difficulties
and other symptoms. In people with chemical sensitivities
and MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity), the presence of
airborne chemicals in amounts below health standards may
cause a reaction. For people suffering from these sensitivities,
IAQ is an even greater concern.
It
is believed that certain other gaseous air pollutants, such
as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, may be responsible
for the increase in asthma cases in urban areas
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Particles
Pollens
For those allergic to pollen, indoor pollen can be extremely
uncomfortable and even dangerous in certain cases. Symptoms
of pollen allergies include sneezing, coughing and wheezing.
Pollen can also be a trigger for asthma and can cause breathing
difficulties. |
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Mold
Mold spores are allergens and may trigger similar allergic
symptoms to pollens. Like with pollen, symptoms of mold
exposure can be even more severe in asthmatics. Mold may
also produce mycotoxins under certain moisture and temperature
conditions which can be extremely dangerous and carcinogenic.
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Dust
Mites
Dust mites are allergens like mold spores and pollens and
may cause similar allergic reactions in certain people.
Like the other particles above, it is also a trigger for
asthma.
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Bacteria
and Viruses
Some bacteria and viruses can be transmitted through the
air. This type of transmission occurs even more frequently
in an indoor environment where the bacteria and viruses
are more concentrated compared to outdoors due to limited
indoor airflow.
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