Many researchers agree that one of the major issues leading to the growth of asthma cases is the continuing trend toward making homes more energy-efficient. While preventing huge amounts of cool or warm air from leaking out, tightly-closed homes also prevent fresh outdoor air from entering. This allows more airborne particles, such as pet dander, to become trapped in the home.
During a period of study from the 1960s through the 1980s, new asthma cases tripled for boys and girls aged 10 to 14 and for girls aged five to nine. The rate nearly doubled for boys and girls aged one to four and boys aged five to nine. More recent studies closely mirror these results. Research also shows that asthma became more common in children during the 1970s and 1980s, and the national rate of asthma deaths rose 46 percent during the 1980s.
Allergies also have been on the rise. About one in five Americans suffer from some kind of allergy caused by billions of particles that include pollen, smoke, dander and dust that circulate in the air. The problem seems to be concentrated on indoor (sealed) air than outdoor air.
Even the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. Its studies show that 11 common volatile organic compounds are emitted into the air during human activity. Chemical concentrations are so much higher indoors than outside since human activity tends to create pollution, people spend 90 percent of their lives indoors and pollutants do not dilute as quickly inside as they do in the open air.
Fight Indoor Pollutants
To combat the indoor pollutants, limit the number of toxic chemicals in the home. These include pesticides, kitchen cleaners and paints. Try to use natural solutions to chase away bugs, eco-friendly cleaners to wipe down kitchen counters and clean dishes, and rely on water-based paints, stains and finishes to reduce fumes.
Trap as much of the polluted air as possible by using electrostatic-charged furnace and air conditioner filters that remove dust, mold, pollen and smoke. These kinds of filters were first introduced during the 1990s and have become more popular as consumers realize that basic web filters do not trap small microns of pollutants.
A simple remedy is to open a window even during the winter. Get fresh air into the house and get that polluted indoor air out. Continue to weather strip to keep a house cozy and warm in winter and cool in summer, and to save money on fuel and electricity. But don’t close every gap. Create air flow to keep air circulating in each room of the home.
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