Sick homes or "Sick Building Syndrome" as it is more commonly called is a term that refers to homes and buildings which collect pollutants or otherwise directly contribute to the contamination of the air inside. This results in the sickness and disease of the individuals who live or work inside of sick buildings. Since the 1970's, we have been making our homes and buildings very air tight and energy efficient without considering the affect this would have on the indoor air we breathe. We have now learned that airtight homes and buildings collect, compound and even create pollutants in the indoor air we breathe. In essence, we have sealed in energy saving heat and air conditioning and sealed out everything that makes our air healthy to breathe. Correlated with these energy saving measures, we have had epidemic increases in the number of people who are now suffering with allergies, asthma and myriad of other air quality related health problems. Hundreds of thousands of people are rushed to the hospital each year because of asthma attacks and millions now require doctor visits, drugs, shots and inhalers in order to breathe correctly.

Today, inhalers and other drugs are being readily prescribed to multi-millions of people from infants to senior citizens.

The question is "why are they needed?"

Medical doctors claim they do not know what causes asthma, while drug companies wrongly and knowingly blame outdoor air instead of addressing the true causes of breathing disorders.

Articles about the indoor air problem appear daily in newspapers and magazines. There are television news programs airing specials about the serious health affects of mold, large dust mite populations and the chemicals found in indoor air. The annual economic toll for Americans is in the billions of dollars. The indoor air crisis is also evidenced by the massive amounts of television, magazine and newspaper ads for drugs that are supposed to help people breathe. The US government has considered the indoor air pollution problem to be a #1 environmental health concern. The level of airborne contaminants can be as much as 100 times more polluted than outdoor air in the worst of cities.

On average, each human will breathe approximately 2,500 gallons of air every day without proper consideration of its purity. We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors continuously inhaling dust particle pollutants, chemicals from cleaning and personal care products, off-gassing chemicals form carpet, new construction materials, man-made furniture and clothing, and airborne biological pollutants such as pollen, mold spores, dead skin cells, pet dander, dust mites and mite excrement. These particles, chemicals, and bio-contaminants found in indoor air can affect everyone to varying degrees, with a large variety of symptoms.

Common and Often Unrecognized

Stuffy Nose

Nasal Drip

Itchy Throat

Itchy Eyes

Tearing Eyes

Sneezing

Coughing

Wheezing

Tiredness

Fatigue

Learning Disabilities

Inability to Concentrate

Advanced and Often

Misdiagnosed

Headaches

Memory Loss

Snoring

Sleep Difficulty

Dizziness

Attention Deficit Disorder

Sinusitis

Ear Infections

Sinus Infections

Asthma - Mild and Severe

Allergies to:

Dust, Dander, Pollen,

Mites, Mold, Chemicals

Other Indicators of Air Contamination

Odors from:

New Buildings

Paints

Urethanes

New Carpet

New Vinyl

Remodeling

House Pets

Sewer Drains

Smoke

Mold

Mildew

The following is a list of known symptoms and side-affects of the many prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications being used by asthma and allergy sufferers and those attempting to alleviate the symptoms associated with breathing indoor air. This list of symptoms and side-affects was obtained directly from the fine print found on the labels and literature of breathing drugs. Note that many of the symptoms are the same or worse than the those caused by the indoor air itself.

Nasal Burning

Nasal Stinging

Nasal Discharge

Sneezing

Sinus Pain

Sinusitis

Bloody Noses

Eye Irritation

Glaucoma

Increased Intraocular Pressure

Cataracts

Dental Problems

Sore Throat

Hoarseness

Laryngitis

Infections of the Pharynx

Chest Tightness

Broncospasm

Upper Respiratory Infection

Stomach Pain

Loss of Appetite

Nausea

Vomiting

Skin Eruption

Dermatitis

Candida-like Oral Lesions

Vasculitic Rash

Weight Gain

Retarded Cranial Ossification

Reduction of Growth

Embryonic Growth Retardation

Fetal Toxicity

Cleft Palate

Sleeplessness

Insomnia

Fatigue

Depression

Lassitude

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Excitability

Aggression

Flu

Aches and Pains

Joint Pain

Muscular Pain

Rapid Heart Beat

Adverse Affects on the Heart

Cardiac Complications

Worsening Pulmonary Symptoms

Low Adrenal Response

Vasculitis

Systemic Eosinophilic Conditions

Nervousness

Tremors

Neurological Headache

It is a sad testimony to see millions of destitute people willing to risk the side affects and unknown consequences of these drugs in an effort to reduce their symptoms from exposure to indoor air contaminants. These drugs rarely address the causes of illness but merely mask the symptoms and have the potential of compounding health problems.

Addressing indoor air quality issues should be a priority for everyone. Moreover, there is absolutely no wisdom in delay. The ill symptoms caused from indoor air usually progress with continued exposure and can sometimes become irreversible. Taking proactive steps now could prevent symptoms from getting worse and may alleviate them altogether. Many of the causes of indoor air contamination can be easily and affordably corrected, and certainly worth the cost and effort. If you or anyone in your family suffers from any of the symptoms shown above, read all of the educational articles on this web site to get a better understanding of indoor air problems and the solutions that are available to you.

In addition to all of the suggestions on this website, you might consider the benefits of an indoor environmental inspection. You will receive a thorough inspection of your home with an optional written report. All of the areas and items inspected are those that favor indoor air pollution. Collectively they contribute to a "soup" of substances in your air which can significantly reduce the quality and safety of the indoor air you breathe daily. Everything from mold and dust mites, to furnaces and building materials. An indoor environmental inspection will help you to understand how all of these things can affect the health of you, your family, and your pets.