Why does indoor air quality matter?
People are increasingly concerned about mold, radon, carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals in their homes. In fact, EPA studies show that levels of air pollution inside the home are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels. And poor indoor air quality can lead to eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems such as asthma, and other serious health problems. Builders can use a variety of
construction practices and technologies to decrease the risk of poor indoor air quality, including careful selection and installation of moisture control systems, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, combustion-venting systems, and building materials. But it's not easy for homebuyers to keep track of all the preferred construction details that lead to improved indoor air quality. That's why
EPA created the Indoor airPLUS label - Read an overview
on the program.
Ask for the Indoor airPLUS label on your next new home.
Events/Training
Indoor airPLUS Technical Specifications: How to Rate It Session
at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at the RESNET Building Performance Conference,
which runs from February 22 - 24, 2010 in Raleigh, NC.
Get more information
NAHB's National Green Building Conference, May 16-18, 2010 in Raleigh, NC
Conference details
Building News
Keep in the loop with Indoor airPLUS and partners through articles, blogs, press releases and other building news outlets. Dig in...
Indoor airPLUS Partner, Populus Sustainable Design Consulting presented “How to Build an Energy Efficient, Green Home” to big crowd
[CO]
Read more
Tour of Zeta Communities' New Net Zero Energy Prefab Demonstration Townhouse [CA] View Photos
Builder News Magazine: The IAQ Challenge, Mitigating harmful chemicals in tightly constructed homes
Read more
St. Louis Habitat for Humanity: The Home Depot Foundation Announces Winners of Awards of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly.
Read more
Homes for Our Troops Will Turn Over the Keys to Marine CPL Visnu Gonzalez's Energy-Efficient, High-Performance Barrier-Free Home.
Read more
Features
Radon Prevention: a Closer Look
Radon is a serious health threat. Although a lot of progress has been made to reduce radon in homes, radon remains one of the greatest health risks for home owners. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Home builders constructing homes in areas with potentially high or moderate radon levels should use
radon-resistant new construction techniques in all their new homes. That's why radon-resistant new construction is an integral part of Indoor airPLUS qualified homes. In addition, all major green home programs give credit for radon-resistant new construction.
Radon-resistant new
construction techniques are not new. Over one million homes have been built with radon-resistant new construction. Plus, there is evidence that radon-resistant new construction may decrease moisture and humidity that may help reduce asthma and other health problems. Join the many builders who already make these consumer protections standard practice. Learn more about radon at www.epa.gov/radon
Tour the Indoor Air Quality House
Get a quick glimpse of some of the most important ways to protect the air in your home, tour the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) House. Room-by-room, you'll learn about and how to address key pollutants.
Widgets provide quick tips and facts about indoor air quality and Indoor airPLUS for new homes.
Get the Indoor airPLUS Widget
Twitter Follow Indoor airPLUS on Twitter to find out the latest on events, partners and the environment. Find Indoor airPLUS:
www.twitter.com/EPAiaplus