Green Remodeling Improves Indoor Air Quality

Did you know that the average American spends approximately 90% of their day indoors? This is why indoor air quality is an important issue for everyone, particularly for those family members afflicted with asthma or allergies. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) gives its members the opportunity to learn how to remodel green, and seeks to teach homeowners across the country how to remedy poor air quality issues.

Green Remodeling Program Participant Ron Cowgill, CR, CKBR, said, “Many sources can contribute to poor air quality inside a home, including pollutants brought in from the outside such as radon, carbon monoxide and pesticides.”  He continued, “Indoor pollutants can come from products existing in the home and used during a remodel, such as paints, adhesives, carpets, vinyl and wood treatment products.” These products can release toxins, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.  VOCs can include formaldehyde, benzene, xylenes, toluene and ethanol.

Some concerns with VOCs is that they contribute to pollution by reacting with sunlight to form ground level ozone, a major component of smog, and they cause indoor air pollution levels two to three times higher than outdoor air. Some products report the parts per million VOCs on labels, and the fewer parts per million the better. Green products are made with water-based solvents that are less harmful to people and the environment.

Some indoor air quality issues have to do with gases that leak inside a home, as opposed to off gassing inside it. Radon is a toxic, gaseous, radioactive element that comes from the breakdown of uranium usually found in soil and rock. Leaking begins underneath the house, most commonly in the basement.  It is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers since there are no immediate symptoms.  Symptoms show up anywhere from five to twenty-five years after harmful exposure.

Measure radon levels in your home once a year and be aware that radon levels inside a home tend to increase during the winter.  When remodeling your home ask your contractor to check for cracks in the foundation where radon leaks through, and repair them. 

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by unfinished burning of materials containing carbon such as propane, gasoline, oil, natural gas, and coal.  These fuels can be found in furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, and car engines, which, if they are not ventilating efficiently, can build up and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Air quality can be protected with adequate ventilation and locating air intakes away from exhaust vents and driveways, and using products that are nontoxic. Signs of poor ventilation include condensation on windows or walls, stuffy air, dirty air systems, and mold growth. 

By incorporating green remodeling practices, homeowners can avoid grave health issues linked to unhealthy indoor air.

NARI members represent a select group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as professional remodelers. NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics.  Consumers can search by zip code on http://www.remodeltoday.com/  to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI.

Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at 800-611-NARI and request a free copy of NARI’s brochure, “How to Select a Remodeling Professional.”

EDITORS NOTE:  HIGH-RES BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS OF WINNING REMODELING PROJECTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.  Contact Jessica Tobacman or Nikki Golden at 847-298-9200 or e-mail marketing@nari.org

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry.  With more than 7,700 member companies nationwide, the Association -- based in Des Plaines, Illinois — is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”TM  For membership information, or to locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling professional, visit NARI’s website at www.RemodelToday.com, or contact the national headquarters office at 800-611-NARI.