Health Benefits of Renovating Old Homes
Over the past 10 years, Sun Engineering has been renovating older homes to help homeowners overcome health issues and make their homes more energy efficient. While energy efficiency help reduce energy bills and add comfort to homes, benefits to health issues has no parallel in terms of tangible benefits. Most home owners are unaware of the health issues living in older homes and this is another important reason to renovate older homes to stay healthy and save on medical bills.
Why is indoor air quality important?
People spend up to 90 per cent of their time indoors – at home, school and work. Poor indoor air quality may cause headaches, tiredness, coughing, sneezing, sinus congestion, shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea. It can irritate the skin, eyes, nose or throat. Allergy or asthma symptoms could get worse. Poor indoor air quality is caused by indoor air pollution. Knowing possible causes will help you improve the quality of the air you breathe indoors.
What are the major indoor pollutants?
Indoor pollutants include:
Biological contaminants can come from both outside and inside the home. Fungi (moulds), insects such as dust mites and cockroaches, dander from fur-bearing animals such dogs or cats, and dusts and pollens are some examples. Biological contaminants can cause allergic symptoms. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #65b Indoor Air Quality: Mould and Other Biological Contaminants.
Combustion (burning) by-products are gases and small particles caused by the incomplete burning of fuels such as oil, gas, kerosene, wood, coal and propane. Examples include fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Sources include wood heaters and woodstoves, furnaces, gas stoves, fireplaces, car exhaust from an attached garage and tobacco smoke. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #65c Indoor Air Quality: Combustion By- products and HealthLinkBC File #30a The Harmful Effects of Second-hand Smoke.
Formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in materials such as plywood and particleboard, in furnishings such as furniture, drapes and carpets, and in personal care products. Cleaning agents, paints, lacquers and varnishes are additional sources of VOCs. VOCs can be released from these materials for several years. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #65d Indoor Air Quality: Volatile Organic Compounds.
Asbestos was used as an insulator and fire retardant for many years. It is sometimes still found in older homes. Asbestos does not cause a health risk unless it is frayed or crumbling and releasing fibers into the air that can be inhaled. Over time, exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #32 Asbestos: When Should I Worry?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is given off when uranium, which naturally occurs in some soil and rock, decays. Radon gas is odourless, invisible and has no taste. It can enter a home or building directly through the building’s foundation from surrounding soil. Over time, high levels of inhaled radon gas may lead to lung cancer. High levels of radon have been found in parts of interior and northern British Columbia. Kits are available to measure the level of indoor radon. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #42 Radon in the Homes and Other Dwellings.
To take action to overcome these risks, contact us at Sun Engineering for a free quote on how your home can meet minimum health standards and stay healthy.