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EPA Sets Indoor Air Quality Standards
The Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created to
protect the health and environment of the American
people. Since 1970, the EPA has been responsible for
researching, setting, and enforcing national environmental
standards.
The
EPA monitors the quality of our air and the levels
of various pollutants, which is reported in their Air
Quality Index (AQI). The EPA also monitors indoor air
quality to ensure clean air inside public buildings
and schools. Their indoor air quality studies set standards
for acceptable levels of pollutants and contaminants
inside buildings, and methods of cleaning buildings
to avoid “sick building syndrome.”
The EPA also puts much effort into informing parents about
how they can maintain better air quality in their homes,
in order to avoid pollutants and asthma triggers that
can affect children’s health.
Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution is a real health danger. Most people
in the United States spend more than 90 percent of
their time indoors, whether at home, school or work.
The concentration of many pollutants inside our buildings
can exceed that of outdoors.
The
lungs are usually the most affected by indoor air contaminants,
with symptoms similar to allergies, influenza and the
common cold. But other acute effects can be observed
depending on the toxic characteristics of the pollutants.
Improving
the quality of our indoor air can be achieved by eliminating
the pollutants and contaminants in our buildings, by
adequate ventilation to recycle our air, and by cleaning
the indoor air with the help of innovations like the
Ozonelite.
Types
of Indoor Air Contaminants
The
Environmental Protection Agency has identified the
most common indoor air pollution problems and the symptoms
they cause. Actions to remedy the quality of indoor
air are necessary in order to protect ourselves and
our children. Pollutants can include:
- Environmental tobacco smoke
- Sick building syndrome
- Combustion products
- Biological pollutants
- Volatile organics
- Heavy metals
Environmental
Tobacco Smoke
Environmental
tobacco smoke, also called secondhand
smoke, is a major source of indoor air contamination.
It includes both the exhaled smoke from smokers and
the smoke from the end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar.
Secondhand smoke not only contains as many as 50 cancer-causing
compounds, it can also trigger asthma episodes by irritating
the inflamed bronchial passages of asthma sufferers.
Many of the health effects of secondhand smoke affect
children the most.
O•ZONELite’s
TiO2 (titanium dioxide) coating helps eliminate the
asthma trigger caused by smoke by removing ethylene
gas from the air. Ethylene is a naturally occurring
gaseous hormone produced by secondhand smoke.
Sick
Building Syndrome
In
research performed by the World Health Organization,
30 percent of buildings worldwide seem affected by
contaminated indoor air quality. Sick
building syndrome can be caused by insufficient
ventilation, biological contamination, and chemical
contamination from indoor or outdoor sources.
Controlling
indoor air quality involves integrating three main
strategies. First, manage the sources of pollutants
by either removing them from the building or by controlling
the timing of their use. Second, dilute pollutants
and remove them from the building through ventilation.
Third, use filtration to clean the air of pollutants.
Combined with a thorough duct cleaning, the O•ZONELite™ bulbs can help immunize most buildings of sick
building syndrome. O•ZONELite™ effectively cleans the air by removing air contaminants and pollutants. It is a non-toxic way to eliminate germs and smoke without the use of polluting chemicals.
It
is better than most filters, which merely trap airborne
particles and organisms. Ozonelite actually destroys
harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses, and inhibits the
growth of airborne pathogens.
Combustion
products
Inside
our buildings and homes, many items and equipment emit
combustion products, volatile organic compounds, and
toxic compounds that can cause chronic health problems
and severe reactions. Such indoor air contaminants
can be created by many sources, including stoves, space
heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and clothes dryers.
Indoor air pollution can be reduced by increasing the
circulation of outdoor air within the building, venting
appliances to the outside, and periodic inspection
and maintenance of equipment to ensure they are working
safely.
Biological
Pollutants
Biological
contamination is caused by living organisms. These
can include bacteria, mold,
pollen, viruses, infectious diseases, and insect droppings
that accumulate in ducts, carpeting, insulation and
drains. It also includes dust mites and pet dander
that become airborne allergens and cause allergic reactions
in those exposed to them.
Biological
air pollutants are found to some degree in every home,
school and workplace. High humidity and dirt encourages
the growth biological contaminants, so it is important
to clean the indoor environment thoroughly, repair
leaks and remove standing water.
House
Molds like Black Mold are a leading cause of indoor
air contamination.
To ease allergy symptoms and clear the air of pollutants, O•ZONELite™ eliminates airborne microorganisms, dust mites, bacteria, and viruses in a non-toxic way without having to use harmful chemical solvents. It also destroys the mold spores in your home before they have a chance to grow. O•ZONELite™ is also perfect for pet owners who want to eliminate the odors from animals.
Volatile
Organics
Volatile
organic compounds are the easiest to manage within
our homes. At room temperature, volatile compounds
are emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids.
These include pesticides, solvents, hair sprays, dry-cleaning
fluids, cleaning agents and formaldehyde. Office equipment,
such as copy machines and printers, also emit these
volatile organics.
Always
have adequate ventilation when using chemical cleaners,
photographic materials, craft supplies, pesticides,
paints, sealants and solvents.
The photocatalytic effect of O•ZONELite’s TiO2 (titanium
dioxide) coating can eliminate gaseous pollutants from
the air.
Heavy
Metals
Airborne
lead and mercury vapors can cause lead poisoning, muscle
cramps, headaches, fatigue, personality changes, tremors,
and neurological dysfunction. The heavy metals can
be found in old or restored housing, firearms, some
workshops, and latex paint.
To
eliminate these heavy metals from your home, wet-mop
and wipe furniture frequently to control lead dust.
Have a professional remove any paint containing lead.
If exposed to these in the workplace, always wear protective
gear and work in well-ventilated areas.
Improving
the Quality of Indoor Air
As
an individual, there are many simple things you can
do to improve the indoor air quality in your home or
office.
- Do not block air vents
- Do not smoke inside the building
- Dispose of garbage promptly
- Store food properly
- Do not bring contaminating products into the building
- Take corrective action when contamination is observed
To improve the quality of indoor air, the following combined
actions should be taken:
Removal
of Pollution Source
Removing
the cause of the contamination is the most effective
solution. The first action should be: routine cleaning
and maintenance of the heating, ventilation and air
conditioning systems; replacement of filters; replacement
of water-stained carpets and ceiling tiles; elimination
of cigarette smoking; and proper storage of paints,
solvents and pesticides.
Increase
Ventilation
You
can reduce indoor pollution by increasing the air distribution
and ventilation to exhaust the contamination from the
building. The remedy can include just one specific
problem area or the entire building.
Cleaning the Air
Air
cleaning and purification should be done along with
pollution removal and improved ventilation. Cleaning
the air of small particles and gaseous pollution will
go far toward improving the quality of your indoor
air.
O•ZONELite™ Helps Improve Indoor Air Quality
Combined with a thorough cleaning and ventilation, the O•ZONELite™ bulbs can help improve the quality of indoor air. O-zonelite effectively cleans the air by removing air contaminants
and pollutants. O•ZONELite™ actually destroys harmful bacteria, mold, and viruses, and eliminates the growth of airborne pathogens.
O•ZONELite™ is a light bulb with a titanium dioxide
coating (TiO2) which produces a photocatalytic action that
reduces airborne microorganisms into harmless CO2 and H2O. O-zonelite
is an environmentally friendly way of destroying airborne organisms
and bacteria. It eliminates the need for poisonous chemical aerosol
sprays. It destroys biological pollutant sources without creating
more chemical pollution.
The O•ZONELite™ bulb fits virtually anywhere a standard incandescent bulb can be used. This energy-efficient 23-watt bulb gives off the same light output as a regular 100-watt bulb, yet saves the user an average of $50 in energy consumption over the life of the bulb.
Learn
how to improve indoor air quality in your office or home
without the damaging use of harmful chemicals!
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