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[C715]Clean Air Force Ones

by Brian Hack, Bri

Protect your family, reduce your health risks, save your money, and discover some of the best plants available to decorate, clean the air you breathe, and enjoy your own Habitat for Health home improvement. How you might ask? Well NASA research has consistently shown that living, green and flowering plants can remove toxic chemicals from indoor air. You can use plants in your home decor to improve the quality of the air and make your home a more pleasant place to feel better and enjoy life.

Some Background on Indoor Air Pollution

Beginning in the 1970s, both new and remodeled buildings were tightly sealed to reduce energy consumption. The building industry also turned away from natural building products and furnishings to synthetic products. Indoor air quality became a major issue as airborne contaminants were trapped in the indoor environment.

Carpeting is one of the major sources of indoor air pollution. Although newly installed carpeting produces the most complaints from emission of irritating chemicals, older carpets harbor dust, dust mites and microbes. Even though the outgassing of chemicals from some carpeting is known to cause serious health concerns, the building industry continues to rely heavily upon its use.

In August 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted a report to Congress on the quality of indoor air found in ten public access buildings. This report stated that more than 900 volatile organic chemicals have been identified in newly constructed buildings and that some levels were 100 times greater than normal levels. This report also stated "that sufficient evidence exists to conclude that indoor air pollution represents a major portion of the public's exposure to air pollution and may pose serious acute and chronic health risks." EPA estimated that indoor air pollution is costing tens of billions of dollars per year in medical costs and lost worker productivity.

Building Industry Solutions

Because of health concerns and vocal complaints by building occupants, ventilation was increased to purge the stale indoor air and introduce outside air. However, there are two inherent problems with increasing ventilation rates. First, energy-efficiency is compromised. Secondly, outside air is not always clean, especially in metropolitan areas. The building industry still has not adequately addressed the two-fold problem of providing indoor air quality and energy-efficiency.

How to do it yourself

Home improvement can include home decorating using healthy and economical combinations of material and technology to improve indoor air quality and energy-efficiency.

Visit the Habitat for Health web site regularly to get the latest updates, links, and valuable information like books on How to Grow Fresh Air and subscribe to get a free article each month about plants known to clean the air.

Working in an office environment you are working closely with many other people and breathing in their air all day long. You might not have ever considered the amount of second hand air that is actually breathed within an office, but it is staggering. And without a good ventilation system, you are putting yourself at risk of illness with every breath.

Offices are huge buildings which can house hundreds or even thousands of workers all breathing the same stale air, if they are not correctly ventilated, and as a result germs and viruses can spread quickly. This can then lead to many staff falling ill and being absent from work - all due to a lack of ventilation. So if you want to get the best from your workforce it is essential that your office ventilation system is clean and working well.

Researchers claim that poorly ventilated offices can result in increased illnesses such as asthma, sinusitis, flu, allergies and even hay fever. And with all staff in the same building breathing in the same air it is easy to see how one person with the flu at the start of the day can lead to twenty or more people contracting the same illness by the end of the day.

Studies have shown that the very best way to cut down on this poor quality air being circulated through an office is to make sure that a) a ventilation system is installed, and b) the ventilation system is properly cleaned and maintained.

Cleaning an office ventilation system is an essential part of the upkeep of an office building and should be done regularly to avoid the following problems:

-Mold building up on and inside the air ducts. This can result in spores of mould being released into the air and causing respiratory problems such as asthma and other breathing difficulties.

-Vermin infestation within air ducts can spread illness. Rodents and insects can be attracted by air ducts and set up home inside them if they are left and not cleaned. In order to prevent this you should check the air ducts regularly and dispose of anything that might be close to them which could attract vermin. Many offices find that the air ducts near a canteen can be affected by vermin, so all cooking areas should be well maintained and clean to avoid this happening.

-General dirt and debris being inside the air ducts. Obviously there will be a certain amount of build up over time but this should be kept to a minimum by regular cleaning and maintenance.

Contact your local HVAC professional to have the air ducts inside your office cleaned. Watch your office staff breathing in clean, healthy air and see your sickness rates fall.

Article Source : Pg. 136

About Author

Both Brian Hack & Ray Toofan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Brian Hack has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Affiliate Programs and Home Management. . Brian Hack's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.

Ray Toofan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Home Management and Air Filters. Giant Mechanical is a leading Chicago area company that provides Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and a variety of other services. Find out how Giant Mechanical can help you with your commercial, residential, or institutional needs b. Ray Toofan's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.