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Poorly Maintained Appliances that emit particles, gases and fumes
Concerns, Trigger Description and What you can do
- Poor Air Quality
- Tobacco Smoke
- Smoke from Wood Burning Stoves
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Pollen
- Molds
- Dust Mites
- Cockroaches
- Pet dander
- Poorly Maintained Appliances
- Traveling
Complete Solutions (PDF 196kb)
Trigger
Description and What you can do
Appliances can be sources of indoor air pollution. Older adults spend more than 80% of their time indoors. It is important to look at sources within the home that may emit particles, gases and fumes that are harmful to health and can trigger respiratory attacks.
Appliances which use natural or LP (propane or butane) gas, fuel oil, kerosene, wood or coal such as kerosene heaters, outdoor grills, fireplaces and wood stoves produce particles which can pose a health threat. Air conditioners can also be a source of pollutants if not maintained properly.
What you can do:
Have your furnace, heating and air conditioning units professionally inspected and cleaned annually.
Repair any leaks from your appliances properly or call a professional to assist you.
All furnaces and fuel burning heaters must be vented to the outdoors.
Change filters regularly and follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.
Avoid
use of ozone generators as air purifiers in occupied spaces. Ozone may
worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma.NOTE: EPA does not
certify residential air cleaning devices, including ozone generators.
No federal agency has approved the use of ozone generators in occupied
spaces because of serious health concerns about ozone. If you wish to
use a residential air cleaning device, it is recommended that you review
more information on the product either through a product review source
such as Consumer Reports
or through the Association of Home Appliance
Manufacturers.
Combustion Pollutants
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/no2.html
Residential Air Cleaning Devices
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/residair.html