(NC) - Wallpaper, carpets, paints and even the wood frame of a house... common indoor air pollutants that affect the air we breathe everyday whether at home, at work or at school.

Considering that people spend, on average, 90 per cent of their time indoors and 40 per cent of households contain at least one hypersensitive individual, it is no wonder that health problems such as asthma, fatigue, headaches, sinus congestion and respiratory problems are becoming more and more common.

Other indoor air pollution facts include:

- indoor air pollution is generally five to nine times worse than outdoor air pollution


- at least 15 per cent of the population has an increased sensitivity to chemicals commonly found in household products and the latest estimates range as high as 35 per cent (or 95 million people in Canada and the United States)


- a total of 75 million Canadians and Americans are at high risk against cumulative effects of indoor air quality


- losses due to poor indoor air quality are estimated at $6 billion annually in Canada for health care costs and work force productivity losses


Todays homes contain approximately 1,500 hazardous compounds from approximately 3,000 manmade products including the building materials that were used to construct the home.

In wood framed homes, wood is a major source of volatile odours which escape through wall cavities, ceilings and attic spaces.More importantly, air leakages lead to moisture penetration which in turn leads to mould growth.

Mould is a major indoor health hazard for the general population, especially those who are most vulnerable to its adverse affects, such as children.

The poor humidity control and dampness associated with leaky walls, encourages dust mites, mildew and odour as well as wood rot which erodes the structural integrity of a home.

In a world that is moving towards sustainability, steel has very specific advantages as a base for healthier indoor environments.

A steel building envelope - outside walls, ceilings - is a cornerstone of a pollution-free indoor environment. Airtight, energy-conservative and dimensionally stable, steel components with appropriate insulation and sealing techniques, guard against inward and outward air leaks and thus mould growth.

Steel is a zero-emission material: it does not release gas-off products and has no odour whatsoever. Nor does it absorb moisture or harbour mould growth. Steel framing also does not need to be treated for termites, vermin, rot or mildew. Therefore, it is free of resin adhesives and other unhealthy chemicals used to commonly treat wood framing products.

The healthier indoor environment of a steel framed home provides clean air which leads to: better sleep, easier breathing, less allergic reactions, more energy and better health.

Not only is steel for those who are hypersensitive or have known allergies, but for those who want to live in a clean, safe and healthy atmosphere.