Beware the Indoor Air, say Respiratory Therapists
For Immediate Release
IRVING , TX (June 5, 2007) —Everyone knows about outdoor air pollution — all those fumes from car exhausts, factories, and other sources that build up in the air and make it hard to catch a fresh breath.
But respiratory therapists from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) will tell you outdoor air pollution is just half the battle. Indoor air quality is just as important when it comes to maintaining good lung health, particularly for those with respiratory problems.
“If the indoor air quality is poor, our eyes, upper airways, lungs and other organs may be affected,” says Trudy Watson, BS, RRT, AE-C, a respiratory therapist and past president of the AARC from Moline , IL . “ Children, the elderly, and those with existing lung conditions are especially affected when the indoor air quality is low,”
Indoor irritants can run the gamut from cigarette smoke and biological contaminants like mold, to radon, a colorless, odorless gas that seeps up into homes from the ground and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Carbon monoxide resulting from inadequate venting of fuel-burning or cooking appliances can be a problem as well.
But an increasingly important source of irritants comes in the form of products most people wouldn't associate with the air. “Indoor air quality can be compromised from products used to clean, decorate, and furnish our homes,” says Watson “Gases released from paints, carpets, cleaning products, paint strippers, and wood finishers can be very irritating to the respiratory system. Chemicals applied to clothing and shoes can also affect indoor air quality.”
Watson says there are many things people can do to keep their indoor air clean and free of irritants. Most importantly, of course, is to keep your home smoke-free. From there, she recommends using HEPA filters on furnaces and vacuum cleaners, controlling moisture to prevent mold, using fragrance-free products, and using houseplants as natural air cleaners.
These days, people can also take advantage of new “green” products that are specially formulated to keep the air clean. “‘Green' products are those that are considered to be environmentally-friendly,” says the registered respiratory therapist. “Many contain only natural substances proven non-toxic for the environment, while others release lower amounts of harmful gases into the air.”
The key to better indoor air, says Watson, is to avoid products that can release toxic chemicals into your environment whenever you can, and be especially careful whenever you can't. “If you must use a hazardous product, always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for use of protective personal equipment or for limiting usage to adequately ventilated areas,” emphasizes the respiratory therapist.
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory diseases. RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians' offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients' homes.
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is a not-for-profit, professional organization, consisting of 42,000 respiratory therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals. AARC is dedicated to assisting persons with respiratory diseases receive safe and effective respiratory care.
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Contact: Beth Binkley
Binkley@aarc.org
American Association For Respiratory Care
9425 N MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100 , Irving , TX 75063
972-406-4657, 927-243-2272
Respiratory Therapist Offers Tips on Going “Green”
Many common household products are going “green” to protect the indoor air from unhealthy toxins. According to Trudy Watson, from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), people can take advantage of this trend by:
Replacing household cleansers, detergents, and personal grooming products containing high levels of chemicals with products that are natural and eco-friendly. Many are fragrance-free.
Using non-toxic paints, stains, and wood finishing products with no or low VOC (volatile organic compounds) ratings.
Using natural products to eliminate household pests whenever possible, and minimizing the use of toxic pesticides.
Using “green” building materials when remodeling or during new construction. Many control moisture, reduce the chance of mold/mildew growth, and produce low or no VOCs.
You can learn more about indoor air pollution and other lung health issues on the AARC's consumer web site, www.yourlunghealth.org .
