What you should know

The EPA estimates that indoor air quality is one of the top environmental risks to public health. Source: Studies by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) document # 402-K-93-007, 4/95

The quality of the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors, has a great impact on respiratory health. Fragile respiratory system is easily damaged by pollutants in the air, resulting in increased risk of asthma and allergies, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

Air pollution contributes to lung diseases, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and lung cancer. Lung diseases claim close to 335,000 lives in America every year and are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over the last decade, the death rate for lung diseases has risen faster than almost any other major diseases.

Homes contain millions of particles that contribute to pure indoor air quality (IAQ). These microscopic particles can become lodged in mucous membranes or the lining of the lungs, causing allergic reactions, respiratory disorders and a diminished immune system. Energy-efficient houses may have poor air circulation and seal-in pollutants. Today's better insulated homes can trap moisture and pollutants, leading to structural damage and IAQ problems.

People spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Ongoing exposure to indoor air contaminants can cause or contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis or it can aggravate existing ones. People who already have respiratory diseases are at greater risk. In addition, it can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue. Do any of these symptoms sound familiar?

Biological pollutants, including molds, bacteria, viruses, pollen, dust mites, and animal dander deteriorate poor indoor air quality and may be a major cause of days lost from work and school. In office buildings, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are frequent sources of biological substances that are inhaled, leading to breathing problems.

Main types of Air Pollution:

• Particulates (air pollutants that have mass): such as dust, dander, pollen, and cigarette smoke among others
• Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.s): which are gases from chemicals that are released into air by various household materials and liquids

How can we improve indoor air quality?

FILTRATION:
Clean the air through by HEPA filtration systems to reduce amount of airborne pollutants

SOURCE CONTROL:
Eliminate the sources of pollution, such as smoking and pets, and target specific problem areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, attics and etc

VENTILATION:
Bring fresh air from the outside into the home by Air Exchange Ventilator to replace stale air

To obtain more information on how to improve indoor air quality please call us (416)-739-7777 to schedule FREE IN-CLINIC EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP & LIVE DEMONSTRATION.

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"Office printers emit hazardous particles: CBC special report" -
CBC News
Monday, October 22, 2007

"Don't let your reno become a dust-up" -
The Toronto Star
Saturday, May 26, 2007 - Jennifer O'Connor

"Drug-resistant TB on rise in Russia" -
The Toronto Star
Saturday, March 3, 2007 - Micheal Mainville

"Exhaust stunts lung growth: study" -
The Toronto Star
Saturday, February 10, 2007 - Nicholas Bakalar (New York Times)

"Bosses Unprepared For Disaster" -
The National Post
Tuesday, September 27, 2006 - Eric Beauchesne

"Tightly built homes jeopardize air quality" -
The Toronto Star
Saturday, July 1, 2006 - Shelly Sanders Greer

"The air we breathe (Part 3) - No Sanctuary in Home, Sick Home" -
The Toronto Sun
Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Megan Gillis

"The air we breathe (Part 2) - Home, Sick Home: Indoor Threats" -
The Toronto Sun
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - Megan Gillis

"Toxic Shock (Part 3) - Ottawa Plans to Snuff Out Flame Retardants" -
The Globe and Mail
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - Martin Mittelstaedt

"Toxic Shock (Part 2) - Coming to Terms With Perils of Non-Stick Products" - The Globe and Mail
Monday, May 29, 2006 - Martin Mittelstaedt

"The Air We Breathe (Part 1) " -
The Toronto Sun
Monday, May 29, 2006 - Megan Gillis

"Toxic Shock (Part 1) - Canada's Chemical Reaction " -
The Globe and Mail
Saturday, May 27, 2006 - Martin Mittelstaedt

"Portable Air Cleaning Devices" -
Citizens for A Safe Learning Environment
January, 2002 - K. Robinson

"Ashma Now Hits One in 10 Children, study says" -
The Globe and Mail
Friday, January 27, 2006

"Study: Air Pollution may Promote Heart Disease" -
Reuters - MSNBC.com
Wenesday, December 21, 2005

"Air Pollution Tied to Stroke Risk" -
Reuters - MSNBC.com
Friday, October 28, 2005 - Anthony J. Brown, MD

"New Car Odour Starts to Smell a Rat" -
Assosiated Press - Toronto Star
Saturday, October 15, 2005 - Hans Greimel

" 'Safe' Ozone Levels Can Worsen Asthma" -
HealthDayNews
Tuesday, October 7, 2005 - Ed Edelson

"Toxic Mold Spreads Through Soggy South" -
Assosiated Press - MSNBC.com
Tuesday, September 27, 2005

"Pollution Exposure Linked to Childhood Cancer" -
Reuters.co.uk
Thursday, August 11, 2005

"The Particular Nature of T.O.(Toronto) Smog" -
The Toronto Star
Sunday, July 17, 2005 - By: Joseph Hall

"SARS found spread by air" -
The Toronto Star
Friday, March 25, 2005 - By: Elaine Carey - Medical Reporter

"Killer Pollution Increasing: Study" -
The Toronto Star
Friday, July 9, 2004 - By: Kerry Gillespie - City Hall Bureau

"Death Toll From Dirty Air Rissing, Study Finds" -
The Globe and Mail
Friday, July 9, 2004 - By: Martin Mittelstaedt, with a report from Joe Friesen

"Smog Worst in Ontario History as Hot Weather Hurts Air Quality" -
The Globe and Mail
Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - By: Martin Mittelstaedt

"Ontario Air Worse Than It Appears" -
The Toronto Star
Saturday, August 17, 2002 - By - Robert Cribb

"Hay Fever Drug Probed After Link to Birth Defects" -
National Post
Friday, April 26, 2002 - By: Tom Arnold

"Study Links Soot in Air, Lung Cancer" -
Chicago Tribune
Wednesday, March 6, 2002 - By: Julie Deardorff

"Study Concludes Portable HEPA Filters Curb Indoor Fungi" -
ASHRAE Journal's Official SHOW DAILY
Monday, January 14, 2002

"Jitters and Hoaxes Abound After Florida Anthrax Death" -
The Globe and Mail
Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - By: Carolyn Abraham and Brian Laghi

"The Deadly Air of Hong Kong" - The Toronto Star
Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - By: Martin Regg Cohn, Aisia Bureau

"Air Pollution Linked to Heart Attacks" - The Globe and Mail
Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - By: Martin Mittelstaedt

"Smog a Heart Attack Threat: Study" -
National Post
June 12, 2001 - By: Mary Vallis

"Canadians 'Vulnerable' to Bioterror Weapons" -
The Globe and Mail
Friday, April 27, 2001 (links to Globe and Mail Site)

"The Killer that Comes on Tiny Feet" -
The Globe and Mail
Tuesday, July 11, 2000

"Smog Mass Killer" -
The Toronto Sun
Thursday, May 18, 2000 - By: Brad Honywill and James Wallace

"Air Pollution - A Killer for all Seasons" -
The Toronto Star
May, 2000 - By: Brian McAndrew

"Tiny Particles in air Kill 900 every year in Atlanta, Study Says" -
Atlanta Constitution
May 9, 1996 - By: Charles Seabrook

If any links that direct you to the Newspaper's Site are no longer working, the Newspaper has taken them off-line. The articles should still be available at their website but you may need to purchase it. Or you could see if that issue is available at your local library.

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