Clothing as a Contributor to IAQ Problems

How clothing contributes to poor IAQ
Preventing indoor air pollution from clothing

When people think of things that contribute to indoor air pollution, clothing does not usually come to mind. However, there are several ways in which clothing contributes to poor indoor air quality.

• Like other fabric, clothing is a fleecy material, which means it can absorb, and release chemicals and pollutants found in the air. Fleecy materials may absorb formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from other sources.

• Since the food for dust mites is dead flakes of skin, dust mites can live on clothes if they are not clean. Dust mites may trigger allergies or asthmatic attacks.

• Permanent press clothing may contain formaldehyde.

• Clothes that have been dry-cleaned may contain the solvent perchloroethylene which has been known to cause health problems such as irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, respiratory system; nausea; dizziness, lack of coordination; headache; skin redness; liver damage; and possibly even cancer. Dry-cleaned clothing may also emit benzene.¹

• Detergents and fabric softeners used in the washing and drying of clothes may contain chemicals that trigger allergies or cause other health problems.

• Animal dander may trigger allergies in some people; this dander may be carried into schools, day care centers, and offices on the clothing of pet owners. For example, cat dander has been found in these places even though no cats had ever been inside these buildings.²

• Mold can form from increased humidity levels if wet clothing is hung to dry inside.

How to Prevent Indoor Air Pollution From Clothing

Obviously, people need to wear clothing, so getting rid of it is not an option. Other things, however, can be done:

• Wear natural fiber clothing such as cotton. Clothing that is 100 percent cotton would not need to be dry-cleaned and may not contain certain chemical finishes like synthetic materials.

• Obtain formaldehyde-free clothing.

• Iron clothes rather than buy permanent press clothing.

• Use safer substitutes for chemicals used in washing and drying clothes.

• Do not hang wet laundry inside. Either dry it on an outside clothesline or dry it in a dryer that is vented to the outside.

• If possible, hand wash clothes so they do not have to be dry-cleaned. If you do have clothes dry-cleaned, remove the plastic bags from fresh dry cleaning and air the clothing out before hanging in your closet. This will limit your exposure to perchloroethylene and other solvents used in dry cleaning.

• Destroy all stages of clothes moths by cleaning garments before storing for the season. Hang clothes in the sunlight and beat them to dislodge moth larvae and eggs Then store clothes in cedar chests or closets, or use sealed bags that have cotton gauze bags containing either cedar chips or two handfuls each of dried lavender and rosemary plus 1 tablespoon each of fresh cloves and dried lemon peel. If you do choose to use moth repellents containing paradichlorobenzene, be sure to store those items away from living and bedroom areas (in the attic, for example).

• Vacuum closets thoroughly to sweep up dust.

• If you have allergies, put only the clothes you absolutely need in your closet and make sure these clothes are clean. To kill any dust mites that may be on the clothes, wash clothing in water that is at least 130° F to 140° F and keep indoor humidity levels between 40 percent to 60 percent.

References

1. Hoddinott KB, Lee AP. The use of environmental risk assessment methodologies for an indoor air quality investigation. Chemosphere. 2000;41:77-84.

2. Fernández-Caldas E, Trudeau WL. Environmental control of indoor biologic agents. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1994;94(issue 2, part 2):404-412.