Air Quality Facts

Air pollution contributes to lung disease, including respiratory tract infections, asthma and lung cancer. Lung disease claims close to 335,000 lives in America every year and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over the past decade, the death rate for lung disease has risen faster than for almost any other major disease. -- American Lung Association

Americans spend 90% of their time indoors: either at home or work where they're exposed to high levels of airborne particles.

Indoor air quality is two to five times -- and occasionally 100 times worse than outdoor air! And it is estimated most people spend 90% of their time indoors! -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

60 million Americans suffer from allergies and asthma; one of the top five environmental risks to public health. -- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

87% of American homeowners are not aware that pollution may be worse inside their homes than outdoors. -- American Lung Association

Six out of 10 homes and buildings are "sick" and are hazardous to occupants. -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Allergy and asthma are increasing at epidemic proportions -- affecting one out of five Americans. -- American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

More than 15 million Americans are estimated to have asthma, including one in 13 school-age children. -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

About 500,000 hospital admissions and 5,000 deaths are attributed to asthma annually. -- Online Allergy Center

An estimated 100 million days are lost to asthma each year and asthma causes 10 million days of school absences annually. Direct and indirect expenses related to asthma are estimated at more than $6 billion a year. -- Online Allergy Center

Dust, dander, mold, mites, pollen and other allergens make millions of allergy and asthma sufferers miserable in their own homes. Homes with pets require extra-thorough, deep cleaning.

Carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture and draperies all contribute to indoor air pollution. They require regular, deep cleaning.

Homes built after 1979 have tighter insulation wraps -- trapping smoke, odors and other contaminants indoors.

Dog and cat hair and dander are top causes of allergic reactions. Homes with animals require extra thorough, deep cleaning.

Central vacuum systems provide cleaner indoor air by efficiently removing particles without stirring up microscopic dust particles and re-emitting them into the interior of the home. The vacuum receptacle is vented outside of the living space keeping the air inside free of pollutants. -- The Healthy House Institute