IAQ Overview - Table of Contents IAQ Overview - Part 1 - Is There a Problem? IAQ Overview - Part 2 - What Don't We Know? IAQ Overview - Part 3 - What Do We Need to Know? IAQ Overview - Part 4 - Which Technology Works the Best? IAQ Overview - Part 5 - What are the Major Differences in the Technologies? IAQ Overview - Part 6 - What IAQ Issues Need to be Considered and Addressed? IAQ Overview - Full Article without Section Divisions B. What don't we know? Not to scare you, but the problem is worse than you realize.

	1.	In 1930, 80% of Americans lived on farms and spent the majority of their time outdoors. Asthma, and a host of other respiratory ailments, were relatively uncommon.
	2.	50 years ago, the primary cause for health issues from air pollution was polluted OUTDOOR air.
	3.	50 years ago, SBS (“Sick Building Syndrome”) did not exist.

	4. 5.	Our current problem began with the oil embargo of the 1970's. The response of the market place -- Reduced maximum speed limits to 55 mph; Adjusted thermostats to 65o F in the winter and 78o F in the summer; Passed stringent building codes demanding more energy efficient homes; and Substantially increased the number and types of synthetic building materials which both raised the level of VOC's and lowered the amount of air infiltration.

6.

The result in the market place -- Sick Building Syndrome emerged in the 1980's. It is estimated that at least ONE in THREE buildings is now SICK. Additionally, ONE in TWO homes is thought to have a MOLD PROBLEM, but the occupants may not be aware of it. Which one do you work/live in? 15 million+ Americans now have asthma, (up 80%) and the number is climbing. 28 million+ Americans suffer from hay fever and allergies, and THAT number is climbing.  Air pollution contributes to lung disease, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and lung cancer.

	7.	By 1980, at least 80% of Americans have been living in urban environments. Since 1980, incidence of ASTHMA is UP 80%. Coincidence?
	8.	We Americans spend 90% - 95% of our time INDOORS. Over the average lifetime, that is 65 YEARS of breathing INDOOR air.
	9.	U.S. EPA studies have shown that the levels of many airborne pollutants may be 25 to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. Is there a cause/effect thing here?
	10.	80%-90% of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors.

11.

Sadly, we have come to expect industrial and mining workers to get sick because of the nature of their work exposure, yet 35 - 60 million of America’s NON-INDUSTRIAL workers are ILL per WEEK. Do we all eat at the same restaurant? Or do we all breathe the same kind of air?

12.

50% of ALL ILLNESSES are either caused or exacerbated by poor IAQ. Take a breath and wonder why medical insurance is so high.

	13.	The EPA, the United States House of Representatives, and the World Health Organization rank INDOOR air pollution as THE Number One environmental health problem.
	14.	The AIA (American Institute of Architects) rates Indoor Air Quality issues as the number one issue to be addressed by architects, engineers, and contractors at least until the year 2010.
	15.	Productivity losses from Sick Building Syndrome symptoms are estimated to be around 2 percent among office workers, costing an estimated $50 billion annually.
	16.	U.S. Department of Energy studies suggest that improving buildings and indoor environments could reduce health-care costs and sick leave and increase worker performance, resulting in an estimated productivity gain of $30 to $150 billion annually.
	17.	The DOE further estimated that the potential decreases in adverse health effects from improvements in indoor environments to be 10 to 30 percent for infectious respiratory disease and allergy and asthma symptoms and 20 to 50 percent for Sick Building Syndrome symptoms.
	18.	In addition, the potential direct increase in office workers' performance was estimated to range between 0.5 and 5 percent. For the U.S., the corresponding annual health-care savings plus productivity gains are -- $6 to $19 billion from reduced respiratory disease; $1 to $4 billion from reduced allergies and asthma; $10 to $20 billion from reduced Sick Building Syndrome symptoms, and $12 to $125 billion from direct improvements in worker performance that are unrelated to health. Ever wonder what happened to that Christmas bonus you were wishing for?

19.

90,000 to 100,000 American patients DIE each year from nosocomial infections they acquire in HOSPITALS and HEALTH CARE FACILITIES while under medical care. Millions more just get sick. Some face a lifetime of chronic problems and follow up care. It’s a national disgrace. Where should they go for treatment? And who should pay for it?

	20.	Numerous studies conducted by the EPA over the last 25 years have shown measurable levels of over 107 known carcinogens in modern offices and homes.
	21.	Each year, over 1000 NEW CHEMICALS are approved to be used and released into our air. How long term have been the safety studies? How do they interact with what is already or soon to be out there? How many are our bodies supposed to be able to handle?

22.

The shoes you wear outside and with which you walk inside carry, among other things, FECAL MATTER, BACTERIA, and MOLD which are deposited on the flooring, carpeting, furniture, and bedding. Hey! Let’s all get down on the floor and play with the kids!

23.

Portions of that same FECAL MATTER, BACTERIA, and MOLD are sucked up into the average vacuum cleaner where they incubate and reproduce. Any idea what happens the next time the vacuum is used?

	24.	1 ounce of household dust contains about 43,000 dust mites and their FECES. After six months, it is estimated that 60% of your pillow’s weight is dust mites and their FECES. Dare you guess how many millions are in your mattress?
	25.	Exposure to dust mites, cat saliva, animal dander, and mold, is estimated to cause at least 200,000 emergency room visits by asthma patients each year. Care to join them?
	26.	And, as if these concerns were not enough, we now face the real threat of airborne biological weapons. Are we absolutely sure that "the government" is going to be able to protect us? Is there something we can and should be doing for ourselves? Does the name "Katrina" bring to  mind any lessons we should have learned about taking personal responsibility?

It seems pretty ironic. As necessary as breathing is, it is almost an endangerment to one's health to do so. Is anyone paying attention? Are there any real answers to these out of control problems?

A. Is There a Problem?