Indoor Air Quality
GREEN
Karl encourages the use of products and materials that reduce or eliminate sources of indoor pollution by using solvent-free adhesives, stains, and finishes with little or no VOCs; and additionally Karl has enacted programs to reduce job site waste through salvaged and recycling. Through practices such as these you will be able to enjoy an environmentally sound home.
Indoor Air Quality:
The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic to those with no known health effects. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed.
A wide array of volatile organics are emitted by products used in home, office, school, and arts/crafts and hobby activities. These products which number in the thousands include: personal items such as scents and hair sprays; household products such as finishes, rug and oven cleaners, paints and laquers (and their thinners), paint removers, pesticides; dry-cleaning fluids; building materials and home furnishings; office equipment such as copiers and printers; office products such as correction fluids and the list goes on.
Health Effects includes eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.
Work pictured is that of Timberline Hardwood Floor Co.
The forgoing information was taken from the American Lung Association., the American Medical Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Further information can be obtained at:
www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html#Health%20Effects
www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html#VOCs
