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Physical Environment & Respiration

Issues Related to the Physical Environment

“Poor outdoor air quality lowers worker productivity, and most people do not change their behavior despite suffering from a host of symptoms, including breathing trouble,” according to the early findings of a Ross Gitell study. One third of participants in this survey felt worse on the recent poor air quality days, experiencing symptoms including watery eyes, throat irritation, and trouble breathing."

Air quality is a complex issue that requires a multi-pronged management strategy. Periods of renovation and maintenance are good times to to create improvements in the physical environment that can minimize the disabling impact of respiratory conditions and give everyone else a healthier environment. The environmental sustainability or ‘green design’ movement has generated many products and models that can offer a good selection of options for providers committed to healthier renovations.

Examples of Problems

A survivor has difficulty breathing in the room designated for support group meetings. Unnoticeable to the average person, the air quality is poor from a mix of problems: old carpet, mild humidity control problems over the years, and fresh paint that was selected because it was on sale. The mix of mold and chemicals in the air can be overwhelming.
A provider invests in new bedroom furniture after many years of living with shabby furniture. A survivor and her children placed in the room with attractive new furniture experience a sharp increase in breathing problems that include a distressing level of confusion for the mother. The provider does not realize that a great deal of furniture is constructed with adhesives includes formaldehyde in plywood construction and chemically treated upholstery and bedding. Some people will be sensitive to these chemicals throughout the life of the furniture and others only during a period of “off-gassing” of which can take two weeks to several months.

Possible Solutions

Take steps to ensure a commitment to better indoor air quality:

Get buy-in at the top and a commitment to choose safe materials for renovations. Additionally, you will need a commitment to monitoring for compliance with indoor air quality policies.
Identify your baseline goals. Prepare cost estimation of different scenarios and create a phase-in plan. Maybe you will start small: non-toxic paints and policies reducing smoking near the building and eliminating scented products and fragrances.
Choose ”low-VOC” (Volatile Organic Compound) goods when choosing furniture, renovation materials, paint and cleaning products.
Some of your choices can save on energy costs for the building. For example, a dehumidifier can reduce moisture and potential mold and make the air more comfortable, potentially saving on air conditioning.
Look for designers and contractors who can help you with pro-bono products and services. Remember that recycled material like cabinets and doors are often available for free or low cost to non-profit organizations.

Green Construction

There are a number of low-income demonstration projects around the country that have shown the feasibility of doing “green” construction – construction that is better for the environment as well as for the air. Plan to use a host of alternative products to improve air quality that are increasingly more available and affordable. Some of these alternative products include: furnishings, supplies, and flooring, non-toxic solvents, primers, stains, paints, etc.

Low-income Breathe-Easy units in Seattle, cost about $5000 more in extra construction costs per unit but will use at least 30 percent less energy than traditional housing. They were outfitted with filtered ventilation systems, insulated foundations, moisture-removing fans, cherry cabinets free of asthma-triggering glues, low-outgassing paints, and easy-to-clean Marmoleum floors.

Be prepared for skepticism from your board of directors. Board members may assume prohibitive costs and may not appreciate the important of good air quality for your clients and staff. Be prepared to educate them.