Indoor Air Quality:

If you are like most Americans, you spend much of your time indoors. Research has found that a number of air pollutants are in greater concentration indoors than outdoors. In part, this is because many homes are being built and remodeled tighter.

Signs of Possible Home Indoor Air Quality Problems:

• Unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air and noticeable lack of air movement
• Dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment
• Damaged flue pipes or chimneys
• Excessive humidity or condensation
• Tightly constructed or remodeled home
• Presence of mold
• Health reaction when inside the home, especially after remodeling, installing new furniture, using household or hobby products or moving into a new home
• Feeling noticeably healthier while outside the home

Steven E. Rice has over 30 years of experience identifying indoor air quality problems and designing corrective measures. In addition to mold, radon, asbestos and lead-based paint covered in detail elsewhere at this site, Steven E. Rice Environmental Inspections evaluates buildings for other indoor air hazards:

Biological Pollutants - animal dander, cockroaches, dust mites, food allergens, bacteria and sewer gas. Hazardous chemical ingredients found in household products - formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, mineral spirits, chlorinated solvents, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, trichloroethane, toluene, ozone and pesticides. Combustion Pollutants - carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulates, candle soot, excessive water vapor and environmental tobacco smoke. Asthma Triggers - 20 million Americans have asthma that can be triggered by indoor allergens and irritants such as second hand smoke, dust mites, pets, molds, pests, house dust and ozone.