INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Introduction
Most people realize that outdoor air pollution can damage their health, but many individuals are unaware that indoor air contaminants can also have a significant impact. Research done by the Environmental Protection Agency has demonstrated that the concentration of indoor air pollutants may be 2-5 times, and on occasion more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. These levels are of particular concern because research indicates we spend as much as 90% of our time indoors. We breathe about 11,000 liters of air per day, so even relatively small increases in the pollutants in the air can have a major impact on our health.
Approximately 50 million Americans, or one in five, suffer from upper respiratory tract infections, which many physicians believe are allergic reactions to airborne allergens. And the numbers are continuing to rise each year. Poor indoor air quality can also exacerbate asthma or trigger asthma attacks. Exposure to low level concentrations of nonallergenic substances, such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, can be the cause of sick building syndrome (SBS). Sick building syndrome manifests itself in individuals as headaches, watery eyes, nausea, skin disorder and fatigue.
The costs associated with poor indoor air quality are staggering! The cost of medical treatment, absenteeism, and lost productivity in the work place has been estimated to be as high as $11 billion annually! It has been estimated that school children miss an equivalent of 1.5 million school days per year because of allergic rhinitis.
Symptoms Of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Because their symptoms are similar, allergies are often mistaken for a cold. So how do you tell the difference? The best way to know for sure is to see your family physician. They can determine whether you are allergic to any of a variety of different allergens. There are some quick clues, however, that may be helpful in discerning the difference between colds and allergies. Initial symptoms for both may be the same: runny, itchy nose and some sneezing, but within 48 hours the diagnosis becomes more clear. If the nasal secretions thicken and change color from clear to yellow or green, then it's probably a cold. After the fifth day, the symptoms of a cold should become less severe, and by the second week, the discomfort should have dissipated. If the nasal secretions remain watery, clear and persist longer than two weeks, the problem is likely an allergy. A low grade fever usually accompanies a cold, not allergies. Also, allergies can be seasonal, occur periodically with the various pollen seasons, or be associated with exposure to some other allergen.
Allergy and Asthma
Allergies can also be associated with an area of the home. For instance, watery eyes, running nose, and sneezing that occurs when going to bed at night may indicate the presence of allergens (often dust mites) in the bed. Allergy symptoms upon entering a basement may suggest a mold problem.
Asthma in children can be misdiagnosed as recurring bronchitis, recurring chest colds, or a lingering cough. Chronic upper respiratory tract congestion due to allergies can lead to bronchitis if not eliminated.