What is in the Indoor Air We Breathe?
It's free, it's all around us outdoors and indoors. We can't live without it for more than a
few minutes. But we often take the air we breathe for granted.
The air you breathe is made up of lots of things besides oxygen! Oxygen only makes up
about 21% of air. About 78% of the air you breathe is made up other gases such as
nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide and methane, as well as a host of other things that are not
good for your health.
Visible Indoor Air Contaminants
When sunlight passes through a window we can see some of the harmful containments in our indoor air, such
as dust, dirt, allergens, and even human skin.

Dust - Expert consultants in contamination control has estimated that people typically
inhale more than two tablespoons of particulates per day. In a comprehensive study
reported in Occupational Health and Safety (1984), it was found that concentrations of
total dust fall into the 20 to 40 micrograms per cubic meter in "tight" buildings. When
office workers inhale them, respirable particles are deposited on tracheal and bronchial
surfaces.

Dirt - Inside a basic home your home (1,500 sq feet) about 18 kgs (40 pounds) of
airborne dirt is generated per year, that’s about 50 grams (1.8 ozs), or two tablespoons
a day.

Allergens – Pollen and other antigens suspended in indoor air can produce abnormally
vigorous immune responses for those that suffer from Asthma and Allergies

Human Skin - People shed more skin than just about any other animal. About 80% of
what you see floating in a ray of sunshine entering your home is dead human skin.
Invisible Indoor Air Contaminants
We can only see about 10% of airborne pollutants. The rest are too small to see, but not too small to inhale. These
particles that we can't see contain a wealth of biological particles which could be harmful to our health. The many types
of airborne germs include: bacteria, fungi, molds, viruses and VOCs -- these bio-aerosols are all around us and they
can be highly detrimental to our health.

Bacteria - are tiny, one-celled creatures that reproduce outside of the body or within the body as they cause
infections. Some infections that bacteria can cause include ear infections, sore throats (tonsillitis or strep
throat), cavities, and pneumonia.

Fungi - are multi-celled plant-like organisms that get their nutrition from plants, people, and animals. They love
to live in damp, warm places, and can cause rashes and other irritations.

Molds - mold spores are a common component of household and workplace dust; however, when mold spores
are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic
reactions and respiratory problems.

Viruses – whatever a virus lives in is called its host. Most viruses can't survive very long if they're not inside a
living thing host (like a person) so to flourish they must spread quickly from one person to the next. To
effectively spread most viruses move through the air. Viruses cause chickenpox, measles, flu, and many other
diseases.

VOCs – which is a short-form for volatile organic compounds, are numerous, varied, and ubiquitous. They
include both human-made and naturally occurring chemical compounds. Most scents or odors are VOCs, and
harmful VOCs can have compounding long-term health effects.
Negative Health Effects of Breathing Poor Indoor Air
Dirty, unhealthy air at home and at work can cause mild irritations such as headaches, sinus congestion, fatigue,
nausea, dizziness, eye irritation, coughs and sore throats. Sadly unhealthy air can also have more dramatic impacts on
people:

According to the World Health Organization, over three million premature deaths each year
are caused by air pollution.

Poor air quality has long been linked to lung and heart problems, including coronary artery
disease, emphysema, respiratory infections, stroke, and cancer. It also is especially
dangerous for pregnant women, as it can contribute to birth defects.

Air pollution can also exacerbate numerous conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Children and the elderly
are especially sensitive to air pollution.

“We now have even more compelling evidence of the strong relationship between air
pollution and cardiovascular disease,” Sanjay Rajagopalan, section director of vascular
medicine at Ohio State’s Medical Center and co-author of the study, stated in an
announcement to the media. “Recent observational studies in humans suggest that within
hours to days following exposure, blood pressure increases.”
So what should you do to protect yourself?
Dirt and pollutants can’t always be prevented, carrying them in your lungs can. So take some control over the air you
breathe indoors by reducing the sources of air pollution in your indoor air. Try to avoid the use of chemical cleaners,
keep your indoor spaces clean, make sure heat and air conditioning filters are cleaned frequently, and most importantly
use high quality indoor air purifiers that can remove harmful indoor air contaminants.
Surgically Clean Air Purifiers have a sophisticated medical grade 6-stage
filtration system that can eliminate the pollutants that cause an unhealthy
indoor air environment, and stop the spread of illness and disease from one
person to another.