The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

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Wellbeing

Align Wellbeing

On average, Australians spend 90% or more of their time indoors (Australian Department of Energy, Climate Change, Environment and Water DCCEEW, 2021). Yet, it is interesting to observe that many of us perceive hazards to our well-being as being primarily external sources and not often connected to the indoor spaces where we spend most of our time.  In completing this assessment, we have looked at potential environmental exposure hazards within the home, which may contribute to adverse health effects and have provided recommendations for their resolution.  Below is a summary of some of these hazards, why they are problematic, and some adverse health effects. Whether due to an existing illness within the home or being curious about reducing personal exposure, or both, it goes without saying we should feel safe in our homes and workplaces that these environments are not contributing to illness or disease.

Sick Building Syndrome

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) may present as a cluster of symptoms of ill health, which are not otherwise diagnosed or identified as a specific illness, and which seem to be linked to the time occupants spend within a particular building (Josh et al, 2008).  The World Health Organisation first used this term in 1983 (Jafari et al, 2015) and our Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) recognise even now, that poor indoor air quality alone could account for as much as 12 billion dollars per year in cost burden to the economy, due to resulting ill-health conditions (DCCEEW, 2021). Typically, symptoms may include headaches; unexplainable fatigue; nausea; brain fog or difficulty concentrating; dry itchy skin; respiratory flare-ups; eye, nose and throat irritations; taste and smell sensitivities (Bijlsma, 2018; Josh et al., 2008; DCCEEW, 2021).  Factors known to contribute to Sick Building Syndrome include chemical contaminants inside the home or workplace such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other gasses; biological contaminants such as mould; inadequate ventilation; electromagnetic radiation; psychological factors; light and/or sound pollution; as well as pollutants brought in from outside such as combustion by-products.

Chemical Exposure

Chemicals refer to man-made toxicants, which inevitably are found in all our bodies (Bijlsma, 2018) and which may be at levels known to cause adverse health effects (Bijlsma et al 2016).   Chemical exposure has been linked to asthma, auto-immune disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, neurological impairment, infertility, and birth defects (Gabriella et al., 2022).  Whilst some diseases can be specifically attributable to chemical exposure – for example, cancer and cigarette smoke (over 7000 chemicals found within cigarettes, 70 of which are labelled carcinogens), (CDCP, 2010; Cancer Council, 2022; IARC, 2019) millions of chemicals listed in the world’s largest online chemical database – The Chemical Abstract Service, have never been assessed for their impact on human health (Bijlsma, 2018).  Often the evidence for chemical harm exists, however either the ‘sample group’ (those impacted) is considered too small or the link between the exposure and the chemical is often difficult to make due to other possible factors, such as lifestyle, timing, age, gender, genetic pre-disposition, and gut microbiome (Bijlsma, 2018; Cancer Council, 2015).  Given this, individuals need to advocate for themselves when it comes to chemical exposure, particularly where there are vulnerable family members and pre-existing ailments and make informed choices on the products and materials they live with within the home.  

Allergens

In Australia, as much as 20% of the population lives with allergies, a concerning figure prompting the Australian Government in 2019 to commission an inquiry into allergies and anaphylaxis and its rising prevalence (aph.gov.au, 2020).  Not only can allergies represent significant health challenges for the individual concerned but they may also bring financial and psychosocial implications for families of allergy sufferers.  People with allergies also have a 5 to 13-fold increased risk of being chemically sensitive (Bijlsma, 2018) which can add to the complexities of living as an allergy sufferer.  Whilst our immune responses may be ultimately out of our control, we can look within the home to identify sources of allergens and aim to minimise exposure and potentially reduce the allergenic load.  Specific allergens within the home include house dust mites – a leading cause of hay fever and allergic asthma; pet, pest, and plant allergens; chemical allergens; mould and biotoxins (Bijlsma, 2018).

Gases

Depending on our location at any given moment the air we breathe is a complex and evolving mixture of chemicals, particles, vapours and pollens (Aces, 2024; airsmart.org.au, 2022).  In Australia, more than 50% of industrial pollution is airborne (Aces, 2024) including gas toxins such as Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, or a cocktail of chemicals reacting to form Ozone.  This is primarily from vehicle exhaust and industrial combustion emissions.  Fortunately, through stricter fuel quality and vehicle emissions Standards, a National Standard for pollution management, and monitoring, in most towns and cities within Australia levels are not frequently considered unsafe (Aces, 2024).  Our indoor environment, however, is another story subject to additional sources of toxic gases such that any home has the potential to adversely impact human health if these gases are not managed.  

Indoors one of the primary concerns is gases from combustion sources – wood burners but especially gas heaters, ovens and cooktops.  The by-products of these can include elevated indoor levels of Carbon monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide as well as the potential formation of Formaldehyde and Benzene (Aces, 2024; unsw.edu.au, 2023).  Indoor gas appliance emissions have been directly linked to childhood asthma (mja.com.au, 2018) and an increased incidence of respiratory problems and longer-term lung damage through exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide.  Carbon Monoxide exposure meanwhile reduces oxygen in the air and blood contributing to headaches, nausea, weakness, confusion, and fatigue even at low concentrations.  Another indoor concern is Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which are emitted as gases from solids or liquids within the home and which can have both short and long-term health impacts.  Thousands of products within the home can contribute to VOC load including paints, air ‘fresheners’, cleaning and personal care products through to furniture and building materials.

References:

Dcceew.gov.au. (2022). Indoor air - DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/air-quality/indoor-air.