Indoor Air Quality

A study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that our exposure to some air pollutants can be up to 100 times greater indoors - where most of us spend about 90% of our time - than outdoors. The EPA now classifies indoor air quality (IAQ) as one of our most important environmental concerns.

Respiratory allergens and pollutants can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, headaches, fatigue, nausea, depression, dermatitis, rash, sore throat, nasal congestion, and itchy/watery eyes.

An estimated 60 million Americans and over one billion people worldwide afflicted with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems are most severely affected by air pollutants. People with weakened immune systems can be especially susceptible to more severe complications, such as bronchial infections or pneumonia.

While medical science has made great strides in developing medications to treat reactions to allergies, health professionals generally recommend reducing or eliminating exposure rather than merely treating the symptoms.