It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.
        - Professor Dumbledore in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

It is our mission to suggest choices that can be made to improve indoor air quality. These choices start with fundamental changes in attitude towards indoor environmental issues. Through our foundation, we offer information on the causes and effects of poor indoor air quality along with suggestions about the proper selection of products that affect our indoor air. Choices range from the proper operation of the HVAC equipment to selection of building materials, furnishing, cleaning supplies, pesticides, and toiletries. The conceptual design of a building, HVAC systems as well as the building materials and building layout are choices that are instrumental in providing good indoor air quality. Our foundation suggests corrective actions to identified problems to make informed choice which will make positive
change to indoors air quality. From the conceptual design to remediation of existing structures, our foundation will provide information on how these changes improve the quality of indoor air.
   
How do we prevent or fix indoor air pollution?
   1. Controlling moisture inside your environment
   2. Proper selection of building products
   3. Proper selection of interior furnishing
   4. Proper selection of household products
   5. Use of natural pesticides when needed
   6. Providing adequate fresh air
   7. Use of HEPA filters and air cleaning machines as necessary
   8. Communication as a preventive tool in work and school
        environments

Controlling moisture inside your environment
Since mold only grows where there is moisture, it must be controlled. According to The American Society of Home Inspectors in 2002, "about 38% of homes have mold and fungus growth due to elevated
moisture." Elevated moisture can come from leaks, flooding or hurricanes, condensation on cold surfaces or too much humidity. Leaks from windows, roofs, or pipes must be inspected to insure they are properly repaired or replaced. If there has been water intrusion, it must be dried properly within 48 hours to insure mold growth does not occur. This would also include using a dehumidifier to remove moisture in the air. Although building defects like roof leaks, or ruptured pipes are considered the main sources for too much moisture in schools, it is more commonly the fresh air ventilation to blame. Unlike a residential ventilation system, in public spaces there are "fresh air" requirements by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating) Simply put, public buildings are required to have a percentage of outside air enter a space. Water brought into a building through ventilation is sufficient to sustain mold growth, unless the air conditioner is equipped to handle this excess moisture. Delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance are also associated with moisture problems in schools and large buildings. Fixing the building defects alone may not be enough. You must control the relative humidity within a space in order to control mold growth.

What is relative humidity and how do you measure it?                                                     
Relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of water vapor actually present in the air to the greatest amount possible at the same temperature. By using a moisture meter or hygrometer, you can check
the relative humidity within your environment. A hygrometer is an inexpensive (usually $50.00 or less) item that measures the temperature and relative humidity in a space and available in most hardware stores. Since mold will grow in humidity levels between 65% - 99%, it is recommended to have the relative humidity within a space to be below 60%, ideally below 50%. In northern climates during the winter months the recommendation is between 30% - 40% to prevent condensation build up on windows and other surfaces. According to the American Lung Association and U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission, one third of all structures have damp conditions that may encourage development of pollutants such as mold and bacteria, which can cause allergic reactions -including asthma- and spread infectious diseases.

What if your relative humidity is higher than 60% after repairing building defects? 
Once you determine your relative humidity is too high, there are solutions available to correct the problem. If all building defects have been repaired, it may be the ventilation system that is not adequately drying out the space. This can be determined by a HVAC expert or Indoor Air Specialist. A dehumidifier will control excess humidity within a space, but may only be a temporary answer. The HVAC system should be modified or replaced to properly control the moisture within the environment.
There are instances where the HVAC system installed has been incorrectly "over-sized" for a space and will never be able to do the proper job of controlling the humidity. There are other times when the lack of maintenance has damaged the system. Dehumidifiers may be necessary in addition to the HVAC system in schools and office buildings located in geographically hot, humid locations.

Routine activities such as cooking, laundering and bathing also adds to moisture within a home. Exhaust fans will help regulate the moisture levels within areas where these activities are located. Clothes dryers should also be exhausted to the exterior of the building. Concrete slabs are a large source of moisture. The average basement lets in 18 gallons of moisture each day. By properly sealing the concrete against water migration, the problem may be resolved without the use of a dehumidifier.

Proper selections of building products
Everything you bring into your indoor environment, every activity you perform and all that is on your body affects your indoor air quality. The proper selection of building products will help in providing a healthy living environment. Asbestos is a commonly known building material that is hazardous to the occupants health. If disturbed or not properly sealed the fibers are shed into the indoor air. Because of this, it is recommended by EPA that if you have asbestos in your indoor environment do not disturb the material. If removal is required, it should only be done by trained contractors. This material became the first regulated material in the workplace by the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It was not until 1989 that the EPA regulated asbestos beyond the workplace. It was completely banned in some building materials as well as brake linings and the manufacturing and exporting were ordered to be reduced 94% by 1996. Many building products contain formaldehyde which is in pressed wood products as well as in the glues and adhesives in particleboard and fiberboard.Products made with formaldehyde are continually "off-gassing" toxins. These toxins are more concentrated when the products are new. In some man-made wood products, it has a half-life of 3 to 5 years. This means that during the first 3 to 5 years, half of the formaldehyde present will be released.During the next 3 to 5 years, hald of what remains will be off gassed, and so on. Because of this, you may consider letting the products "air out" and "off-gas" for a period of time (the longer the better) in a well ventilated area prior to installation. Commonly in construction, whether new or remodeling, materials are ordered as needed and installed immediately. Though this may be the most efficient method, the products are being installed when the toxins released are at the most concentrated levels.Another factor in the rate of formaldehyde release is the amount of water vapor present and the temperature in your space. Both a higher temperature and relative humidity will cause the toxins to be emitted into the air at a faster rate. Some synthetic and natural materials in carpeting, insulation, wall coverings, and furniture are also sources of indoor air pollution. Latex carpet is a source of phenylcyclohene. If possible, consider alternatives such as using pedestal sinks with a linen closet for storage as opposed to a large cabinet made from pressed wood. If you must choose products that are known to off-gas toxins, request the particleboard be sealed, making sure all areas are covered, as the gas will release from a very small area. Or, request the products be aired out by the installer or manufacturer prior to installation. There are many manufacturers and installers who are willing to work with your needs at little to no extra charge because the public is becoming more educated about this issue. Carpet installers can "roll out" carpet in their warehouse or in your enclosed garage for a period of time prior to installation as one example.

Proper selection of interior furnishings
Interior furnishings such as fabrics, wall coverings, window treatments and floor coverings also release toxins within a space. Many stain resistant chemicals that are applied for long lasting wear to our textiles are affecting our indoor air quality. There are Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which contain information regarding the toxicity, composition, scientific names and degree of hazard associated with the solvent in question. Unfortunately, the information may be incomplete or confusing. Consumer product labels are not presently required to list specific ingredients and the inert ingredients are solvents that have lax regulation. Until products are clearly labeled, allowing consumers to make informed choices, it is recommended to purchase water based products whenever they are available.

Proper selection of household products
Common household products such as furniture polishes, glues, cleaning agents, deodorizers, paints and solvents in the home contribute to the toxicity of indoor air. One example of eliminating a toxic pollutant is lead in oil-based paints. Because a variety of studies have documented that children have been made ill by eating and breathing deteriorating lead paint, the federal government banned lead as a paint ingredient in 1977. Air inhalation of lead accounts for approximately 30% of exposure. It is most commonly airborne due to sanding ,chipping or remodeling existing lead paint. If you have lead paint that needs to be removed, it should be done by a professional. Cleaning products are used daily in households with children most susceptible to these toxins. Since toxins are heavier than air, they are more concentrated at the floor, where children are exposed. Many of these household products are made with chemicals that are neurotoxins. Bleach for example is very toxic. Personal care products as well as cleaning products have had "fragrances" added to make one feel cleaner and healthier. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that perfume-provoked respiratory symptoms are experienced by 72% of all asthmatics. In 1989 the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recognized that 884 of 2,893 substances (both naturally and synthetically derived) used in the fragrance industry as toxic. Some of these ingredients actually act as a neurotoxin, capable of harming the central nervous system. How many times have you felt dizzy or faint after using cleaning products? Do we really need all these chemicals? There are many products available at the same cost that are less-toxic and natural. More products are becoming available due to consumer awareness towards this issue.
 
Use of natural pesticides when needed
If at all possible, avoid using pesticides or insecticides since they are so toxic. "Cide" means "to kill."To control roaches, try some non-toxic solutions such as setting out traps and removing once they do their job. Boric acid is a safe non-toxic product and can be used in hard to reach spots where roaches may hide such as between walls and back in cabinet corners. Seal cracks and crevices in the walls, floors and corners with a non-toxic caulk for indoor use. This will help roaches from entering your space. Only allow eating in the kitchen and dining area so you can control the crumbs that feed roaches. This will also help keep roaches out of bedroom areas since they are such an asthma trigger. Pesticides used today have not been tested for their health effects on children. Recent scientific studies have shown pesticides damage developing brain and nervous systems. Children are at a much higher risk because the chemicals interfere with their rapidly developing brains and nervous systems resulting in behavioral problems and learning deficits. There are many non-toxic choices to choose from in health food stores. They are also becoming more available in large scale garden stores as the consumer requests safer products.
 
Providing adequate fresh air                                                                                                   
How many of us remember our parents saying "go open the window, we need some fresh air in here"? Fresh air is a sometimes forgotten ingredient and is essential to helping to provide a heatlhy living environment. One solution to indoor air quality problems is providing fresh air. When there is too little air exchange within a space, the pollutant levels can increase. Occupants of a space should make sure the "source" of pollution is eliminated or controlled, ventilation is increased (fresh air) , and install an air cleaning device if necessary. There are three ways outside air enters a space: mechanical system (air conditioners), natural system (openings such as windows, doors) and infiltration. The mechanical system continuously moves air from one space to another. In advanced mechanical systems, outside air is brought into the space then filtered and conditioned to be distributed throughout a building. Infiltration occurs when outdoor air is to be distributed through openings and cracks in the walls, floors, ceilings and windows. In a natural system, the air moves through opened windows and doors.(the old-fashioned way). If too little outdoor air enters a space, pollutants or toxins can rise to an unhealthy level. Since the awareness of energy conservation in the building industry, many newer buildings have a reduction of the amount of outdoor air infiltration. This is due in part to the weatherization practices that keep air from entering from cracks or openings in the walls, windows and floors. Although it is not the cause of indoor air pollution, it does decrease the air exchange. Imagine some activities that are performed with no fresh air exchange. Painting, heating with kerosene heaters, renovation projects such as sanding and many hobbies emit high levels of pollutants in the air within a space. Opening a window when the weather permits or running a wall air conditioner with the vent control open increases the outdoor ventilation. By using fans vented to the exterior, the level of pollutants is greatly lowered. These activities, although short term, greatly impact the level of pollutants in the air.

Use of HEPA filters and air cleaning machines as necessary                                           
There is much controversy over whether or not "air cleaning machines" are effective in removing pollutants from a space. There are many people with sensitivities that find the air cleaners are helpful in conjunction with an effort to remove the source of the pollutant. They designed to remove particulates in the air, passing the air through a filter and re-cirulating the air back into the space. They are not designed to remove gaseous pollutants and to assume an air cleaner will "fix" the problem, is only a bandaid attempt. Controlling the source is the most effective solution. There are some factors to consider when considering whether an air cleaner will be beneficial. It must be the proper size for the space to be effective. The sizes range from table-top models to whole-house systems. Maintenance is also key to how effective a particular model will perform. HEPA filters are recommended for use by most indoor air engineers. The EPA does not recommend air cleaners to reduce the levels of radon and its decay products. More information regarding this topic is included in a booklet, Residential Air-Cleaning. EPA recently wrote a document, Ozone Generators That Are Sold As Air Cleaners. (hightlight and link to this web page) It gives the most accurate information based on the most credible scientific evidence, regarding the use of ozone-generating devices in indoor occupied spaces. Also published "Should You Have the Air Ducts inYour Home Cleaned? which explains what air duct cleaning is and provides guidance and helpful information. EPA-402-K-97-002, October 1997

Communication as a preventive tool in work and school environments

The key to providing a safe healthy indoor space is understanding indoor air quality issues, its causes and effects, and the remediation necessary to resolve problems. Complaints should be handled promptly and every incident given serious attention. Open communication between occupants and management is essential to resolving indoor air quality problems. Many times, problems can be identified and resolved quickly, while other times it is necessary to go into more depth and investigation. Listening and responding to building occupants is critical to achieving a successful resolution of IAQ complaints while adding to establishing credibility. According to EPA, "the biggest mistake that building managers can make in the face of an IAQ complaint is to underestimate the problems that can result if building occupants believe that no aciton is being or that important information is being withheld.   Without open communication, any IAQ problem can become complicated by anxiety, frustration, and distrust, delaying its resolution." For more information regarding suggestions on how to resolve IAQ issues through effective communication in schools: See www.epa.gov