Creating Allergy-Safe Indoor Spaces BY SAR A GR AVES
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SURFACEANDPANEL.COM
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t’s more than an attractive and functional interior that is inspiring designers these days. The focus on creating healthy indoor spaces has taken center stage as designers and companies alike recognize that the materials used in these spaces and the subsequent effect on the indoor air quality (IAQ) that these materials have is as important as the look itself. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, IAQ can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air quality and at times as much as 100 times higher, which can adversely affect the health of those who use these indoor spaces. Statistics have also shown that more than 25 million Americans are affected by asthma and over 50 million by allergies every year, and the number of cases is expected to rise. To better understand how to create a healthy indoor space, we spoke with Dr. John McKeon, CEO and founder of Allergy Standards Ltd. (ASL), a company that helps create the healthiest possible indoor environment through science certification and education. “The combination of the increasing incidence of asthma and allergies and the exposure to new airborne diseases has raised our awareness of (IAQ) to a new level,” said Dr. McKeon. “Consumers are now ‘indoor air aware’ and are increasingly informed and empowered to take control of their environment, so it’s more important than ever for those who sell, distribute, fabricate, or design interior spaces to use products that contribute to a healthier indoor environment.” Dr. McKeon first became aware of the impact that indoor spaces have on children when he was working as an emergency room physician in a Dublin, Ireland, hospital. Children were
