For residents of long-term care facilities, good indoor air quality (IAQ) is paramount. Research has shown that improved IAQ can do wonders for a person's health, boosting productivity and improving overall brain function. This is especially important for aging adults, many of whom have unique health needs and environmental sensitivities, such as weakened immune systems and compromised organ functionality.

While it is often thought that the indoors is one of the healthiest and safest places to be, indoor air is often two to ten times more polluted than outdoor air. In fact, following new construction or renovation, it can be up to 1,000 times more polluted. Poor indoor air quality is linked to a host of health problems, including headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, coughing, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, and asthma. In rare cases, it can be linked to cancer.

For the elderly, whose physical conditions are already fragile, the effects of poor IAQ can be even more pronounced. However, facility staff, providers, and administrators are also at risk for complications related to poor IAQ.  This could lead to reduced employee productivity and billions of dollars in losses each year. 

One of the greatest threats to a building's indoor air quality is volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are chemicals that get released into the air from common products and materials in a process known as “off-gassing.” Everything from mattresses, furniture, and flooring to cabinetry, window treatments, and cleaning products off-gas. Some VOCs have an unpleasant odor (think paints, adhesives, and certain plastic products); some VOCs are quite pleasant-smelling (think air fresheners and laundry detergents); and others are virtually odor-free. However, many VOCs can be toxic, especially in cases of long-term exposure.

The most effective way to promote good indoor air quality is to practice what's known as source control. This means doing everything possible to keep the source of airborne contaminants out of the indoor environment altogether. Start by choosing independently certified, low-emitting products and materials for use inside your facility. Look for those products that have been certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, as these have been scientifically tested and proven to be low chemical-emitting so they don't contribute to indoor air pollution. A complete listing of certified products, as well as additional information on IAQ, is available for free at www.greenguard.org.

Other tips for improving IAQ include the following:

• Allow wet materials like paints and adhesives to dry/cure thoroughly before occupying and indoor space

• Open windows regularly to allow ventilation with outdoor air, especially when cleaning or painting

• Avoid cleaning agents and solvents with strong odors or fragrances

• Clean at night or when buildings/rooms are unoccupied but keep the ventilation system operating

• Use furnishing and decorative items with washable surfaces

• Regularly check to ensure that the building's mechanical ventilation system is clean and in proper working order

• Repair all water leaks promptly

• If mold grows on any porous materials, such as drywall, discard immediately and replace

• Keep relative humidity levels below 60-percent, using dehumidifiers if necessary

• Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum cleaners with disposable bags and microfiber cloths for surface dust removal.

• If using an electrostatic/ionic air cleaner, be sure that it meets UL Ozone Standard 867 and that it is certified by the State of California for minimal ozone release

Marilyn Black, Ph.D., is the founder of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, an organization that aims to protect public health by improving indoor air quality and reducing chemical exposure.