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Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

Air Quality

Protecting air quality is crucial to public and environmental health. Outdoor air quality is compromised by emissions from a complex set of sources. Over 50 percent of the air pollution in Washington State comes from transportation sources, including motor vehicles, planes, trains, and marine vessels [1]. Air pollution also results from pesticide usage, agricultural smoke and dust, resource and energy extraction industries, and commercial and industrial processes. Air pollution poses serious threats to human health, including cancer, asthma, and other types of lung damage [2].

Emissions from cleaning products, paint, furniture, carpet, glues, solvents, and other products can degrade indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality irritates eyes and lungs, and can cause asthma, headaches, fatigue, low morale, and absenteeism [3].

Citations

1. Washington State Department of Ecology, Air Quality Program.
2. Washington State Department of Ecology, Air Quality Program. “Air Pollution and Health.”
3. Culver, Alicia et al. “Cleaning for Health: Products and Practices for a Safer Indoor Environment.” INFORM, Inc. 2002.

For further EPP assistance and resources, contact

Karin Kraft Email:kakr461@ecy.wa.gov (360) 407-6693

Tina Simcich Email:tisi461@ecy.wa.gov (360) 407-7517

Liz Kunz Email:lkun461@ecy.wa.gov (360) 407-6358