"As the leader in the hearth industry, we feel it is important to educate consumers and builders about why clean indoor air is important," said Brad Determan, president of Hearth & Home Technologies. "Partnering with the American Lung Association is a great way to bring awareness to the issue, as well as the innovative technologies available to help protect and improve indoor air quality." Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thanks to new homes featuring much tighter construction than in the past to conserve energy, less fresh air enters the home enabling pollutant levels to increase by trapping air inside. As a result, the indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than outdoor air according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"Poor indoor air quality can be a serious risk in the home," said Robert Moffitt, communications director of the American Lung Association Health House program. "Since many Americans want to have a fireplace or gas stove in their homes, selecting the safest type is a key component to protecting their families' health. We're excited to partner with Hearth & Home Technologies to help educate the public about the dangers of unvented fireplaces and fulfill our mission of preventing lung disease and promoting lung health."

Publication date: 04/03/2006