It`s your Health! (PDF 68 KB)

HealthCanadaSantéCanadaThe Issue Reduced natural ventilation, too muchhumidity, the use of chemicals and otherfactors can lead to unhealthy air in yourhome or workplace, causing a number ofhealth problems such as respiratorysymptoms and allergies. Background On average, Canadians spend about 90percent of their time indoors, so the qualityof indoor air is very important. Humidor damp conditions in your home canencourage the growth of mold and dustmites. Unless you use a vacuum cleanerwith high efficiency filters, floors, carpetsand upholstery can build up mold spores,bacteria and sources of allergies. Mold can develop from too much humidity,building leaks, refrigerator drip pans,bathroom surfaces and flooding. Moldysmells from carpets, wood and gypsumboard are a sign that they harbour fungi.Stale water in humidifiers and air conditioners can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi. Air filters also collect dust and contaminants. A major cause of poor indoor air quality is a lack of fresh air, that is, notenough exchange of air between theoutside and inside. Where there is alot of water vapor, such as in thebathroom, mechanical ventilationsuch as a fan may be needed eliminate excess humidity.The Risks of Poor AirQualityContaminants often found in damp buildings are associated with a number ofhealth problems, including diseases suchas asthma or allergic rhinitis and non-specific symptoms such as cough,wheezing and headaches.Molds are filamentous fungi that grow indamp environments. Mold spores containallergens and irritants. People livingin houses where molds grow are morelikely to suffer from asthma or respiratorysymptoms.Viruses can also be found indoors, butthey don’t survive long in the air. Viralinfections usually result from contact withinfected people. Minimizing Your Risk Improving indoor air quality is fairly simple. Here are several steps you cantake. • Control the humidity and let more airinto your home to prevent moisturefrom building up on walls and windows. Where there is a lot of watervapor, such as in the bathroom,mechanical ventilation such as a fanmay be needed eliminate excesshumidity.DAMPNESS, MOLD AND INDOOR AIRIt’s Your HealthIt’s Your Health• Measure humidity using ahygrometer, to see if youneed a dehumidifier. It isadvisable to keep the relativehumidity in your home below50% in summer and 30% inwinter• Repair leaky roofs, walls andbasements.• Clean moldy surfaces with astrong detergent• Keep your home clean anddust-free.• Regularly clean and disinfecthumidifiers and air conditioners. If you have severe humidity orcontamination problems, askyour provincial or regional healthdepartment for advice. Check thesources listed below for moreinformation on the problem. Talkto your doctor if you think anyonein your family suffers from healthproblems caused by poor airquality.Government ofCanada’s RoleHealth Canada has published anumber of pamphlets and reportsabout indoor air quality. TheCanada Mortgage and HousingCorporation (CMHC) also hasseveral publications on how toreduce and avoid too muchhumidity in your home and howto improve indoor air quality. Health Canada and CMHC arecurrently working on a jointresearch project on air quality inhomes. They are looking at howthe chemicals and toxins produced by Mold, bacteria andother contaminants can affectyour health.Need More Info? For further information see thesepublications available fromHealth Canada and CMHC:Health Canada – Publications onhealth and air qualityhttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/air_quality/generalpubs.htmOr contact:Air Health Effects DivisionHealth Canada400 Cooper Street, 2nd FloorP.L. 4602C Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9Tel: (613) 957-1876 e-mail: air@hc-sc.gc.caHealth Canada’s ToxicSubstances Research Initiative,Urban Air Quality and HumanExposure to Airborne Pollutantsat:http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/tsri/urban_air.htmHealth Canada’s Climate Changeand Health Office at:http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/ccho/health_story_table.htmChildren’s Environmental Healthat:http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/oceh/index.htmFor more information onHumidifiers see the It’s YourHealth article on Cool MistHumidifiers at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/products/humidifiers.htmFor more information on moistureand mold in your home visit theCanada Mortgage and HousingCorporation series “About yourHouse” at :http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/burema/gesein/abhose/abhose_50.cfmOr call : 1-800-668-2642Additional It’s Your Health articlescan be found at: www.healthcanada.ca/iyh You can also call (613) 957-2991 HealthCanadaSantéCanada It’s Your HealthIt’s Your HealthISBN # H50-3/78-2004E-PDF Catalogue # 0-662-36073-7 Original: September 2002 Updated: May 2004© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Health, 2004