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1. Why is indoor air quality a growing problem in our homes?
Our homes and offices are becoming 'tighter' with less free air movement with
the outdoors. This is due to:
- Improvements in building techniques
and styles (concrete slab-on-ground construction) producing 'tighter'
buildings;
- Changes to building regulations to
increase energy conservation (insulation and design regulations);
- Demand for greater comfort during
very warm or cold periods;
- Need to reduce the intrusion of
external noise and/or air pollution;
- Increased demand for privacy; and
- Increased demand for security.
Indoor Air Quality Facts
- The U.S. EPA. studies show that
indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.
- "Occupants of new Australian
homes may be exposed to up to 20 times the maximum allowable limits of indoor
air toxics, an Australian first study has found."
(CSIRO media
release)
- We require between 8,000 and 10,000
litres of air each day.
- We spend more and more of our time
indoors. More than 90% according to the C.S.I.R.O.
- Moisture, a key ingredient in indoor
air pollution, is generated mainly from our activities within the home. These
activities include: Cooking, Washing, Bathing, Respiration and Perspiration (
adults add about 2 litres of moisture to the airstream everyday), etc.
- Outdoor pollutants (car fumes, pollen,
dust,) can also enter the home and become concentrated there.
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