Air-Quality
Most people nowadays, when thinking about sustainability or places of residence in general, consider air quality. With all the fires and general pollution in the air, it's something that has been taken into account more and more as time goes on. When acting sustainably or in a wellness-based manner, the goal is to help improve the quality of the air we breathe so that it is cleaner for everyone. This, in turn, has numerous benefits, including health improvements for those with respiratory infections or diseases like asthma. Additionally, it helps reduce air pollution, benefiting the planet and preventing potential harm to the ozone layer, etc.
As "most people spend 90% of their time indoors" (Qpractice 115), having good air quality in these indoor spaces is paramount for the health of both people and animals alike. It is essential to consider the materials you are using in your home if you want cleaner air quality or better overall health. Many of the reasons mentioned above have driven codes, standards, and regulations alike to change and increase their efforts to promote better air quality for interiors (Qpractice 587).
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), carcinogens in the air created by off-gassing from products, are a normal process with every (especially new) item brought into the home. The idea is to mitigate the amount of VOCs by using low or no VOC paints. If you have to buy a new product, looking into its composition is essential. Materials like plastics, adhesives (tape or glues), latex, acrylics, oils (crude oils), lacquer, and other fumes and solvents in items, flame retardants, particle board, and plywood (which may have formaldehyde) have higher amounts of VOCs. Renewable resources tend to have lower amounts of VOCs, but depending on how they are processed and put together, these items could end up having more VOCs than originally intended (Residential Construction pg 17). Other common pollutants can include biological (like mold), chemical (such as bleach and other cleaning products), and other particles (like dust, animal dander, drywall, and other dusty particles, etc.) Also from other forms of matter that might not be thought of, some of those - while disgusting - are bugs, things like mice droppings, etc.
Some illnesses can result from symptoms of various VOCs, a condition known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). "MCS is a term used to describe severe sensitivity or a reaction to different pollutants, including solvents, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), perfumes, building materials, smoke, and other 'chemicals.' While allergies are well understood and treatable, MCS is only partly understood." Due to this, it is crucial to be aware of sensitivities as they vary depending on the person. Comparatively, many of the side effects of VOCs can include headaches, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, nausea, dizziness, and even vomiting.
While wellness design and sustainability actions are focusing on the interior and the air quality that is being recirculated in our interior spaces, having asthma myself, air quality is something I think about a lot. Especially with the cats and dust floating around (I do my best, but it happens—such is life :|), and finding ways to mitigate these issues is a priority. Changing your filter is definitely one of them if you have AC; another is making sure things are cleaned, which is obvious, but also maybe brushing your pets if you have any and opening windows when it's nice enough. Being in Florida, there are very few times a year when opening the windows is practical, but if you're in a place where it's doable, and there isn't too much air pollution—go for it! Pollution is another factor, and some HVACs can help with irrigating pollution and pumping cleaner air inside a home. Some things you can do in your home to help with air quality, so you're at least breathing better air inside, include changing your air filter (not only helping your air conditioning unit to process better but also keeping the air cleaner). If you don't have an air conditioner or things like a window unit, doing things like buying products that don't have as much off-gassing, and stopping the use of chemicals like bleach that stay in the air and aren't good to breathe in - in general.
Other things you can do include selecting used items (normally used items have less off-gassing since they have already off-gassed if they are old enough) or using FSC wood or wood that hasn't been treated with formaldehyde, etc. There are many other things that can be done to appropriately help with air quality in a home, but doing research, working with a designer, or using your own judgment based on what you learn can help. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions below!! Thanks! 😄
Sources:
Residential Construction
QPractice NCIDQ