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And some come from the natural environment, including bacteria and mold. All combined, indoor air pollution causes 3.8 million deaths worldwide each year from diseases such as stroke and lung cancer. Whatever the cause, and wherever it comes from, being able to identify indoor air pollution can help you and your loved ones breathe easier.




In the following slides, discover some of the common sources of indoor air pollution that you can learn to avoid for a cleaner, safer home. Pollutants can cause a wide range of short-term and long-term health problems. In the short term, exposure to high concentrations of indoor air pollution can cause eye irritation, headaches, nose and throat irritation, fatigue, and dizziness.


That can make it difficult to recognize the problem. Long-term health problems can be quite serious. Sometimes years after being exposed, a person can suffer heart problems, respiratory sickness, and even cancer. It's worth noting that there is much uncertainty about what chemicals cause these problems, and at what concentration.


When a new carpet is installed, there's a very good chance it will release chemicals from its vinyl backing and the glue used to hold the carpet to the floor. This release of chemicals is known as off-gassing. Some of these chemicals have been associated with headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and asthma-like reactions.

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Kids who suffer from asthma and allergies may have a particularly rough time depending on their sensitivity. These chemicals can be released for as long as five years after a new carpet is installed, but the majority of the off-gassing takes place in the first few months. The EPA recommends heavy ventilation for at least three days after installation - Indoor Air Pollution.


A HEPA air filter is a good choice, too. If possible, you may just want to leave the home for a few days. If you or your family are especially sensitive to these chemicals, carpeting may not be the best choice. Consider bare floors with rugs instead, or selecting a carpet with natural fibers.


VOCs can cause health problems in high enough concentrations, and a fresh coat of paint may just do the trick. Ever notice a headache after painting? Now you know why. Most of the VOCs released in fresh paint are gone by the time that paint is dry—but not all. Some that may linger can put you and your family at risk - Indoor Air Pollution.


These chemicals include methylene chloride and benzene. There's good news, though. Most major paint manufacturers offer low- or no-VOC options, and some offer all-natural paints as well. These can be more expensive though, so you may want to consider how sensitive your family is and how much time they will spend in the room being painted.

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That doesn't mean it's safe, though. One of the chemicals used in the past to make these pots and pans has been linked with kidney, thyroid, prostate, bladder, and ovarian cancers. The chemical responsible, PFOA, has largely been eliminated thanks to an agreement Full Report between major manufacturers and the EPA. However, a second toxic chemical can be released from superheating your nonstick cookware.


This can lead to symptoms known as “Teflon flu,” and it can even kill pet birds. Be careful not to overheat nonstick pots and pans. If you need to sear or otherwise superheat your food, use cookware made of a different material such as cast iron to avoid these problems.


Lots of arts and crafts supplies can expose you to unwanted fumes. These include paints, glues, and markers—even some of the “nontoxic” types. The same is true for polymer clays, which can release toxins if they are overbaked. So for fun and safety, consider taking your next big creation outside.


When these web link substances interact in the air you breathe, they can form complex VOCs that have been linked to various health problems. One study found that the risk of asthma and other respiratory problems increases the longer someone has spent as a professional cleaner. Similar but limited evidence has been found of these same effects at home, too.

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One study associated these with a 100% higher chance of asthma diagnoses, as well as other health problems. Chlorine bleach seems to be a special case. Bleach sanitizes, which may be why households that use it report a lower risk of eczema, asthma, and allergies. However these households also have a higher than average incidence of respiratory problems.


That's a mouthful, yes, but understanding what this chemical does could help you protect your health. The chemical remains on clothes to varying degrees, and studies have shown that it causes cancer in animals. Dry cleaners are supposed to remove most of the chemical by recapturing it for later use.


If you show up at a dry cleaners and find that your clothes have a strong chemical smell, tell the cleaner indoor air pollution vocs you won't accept than until they've had time to properly dry. If it keeps happening, consider switching cleaners. Secondhand smoke is deadly - air quality. Since 1964, the CDC estimates that a quarter of a billion nonsmokers have died from health problems related to secondhand smoke exposure.


Secondhand smoke can't be eliminated by filtering it, ventilating it, or separating smokers from nonsmokers. The health problems this toxin poses to children is different from adults. Children are prone to respiratory symptoms and infections, as well as ear infections. For kids it makes asthma attacks more frequent and more severe, and it has been associated with a greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

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The best strategy for protecting yourself from secondhand smoke is to avoid smoke altogether. If you smoke, quit. Don't let people smoke around you or in your car—whether or not the windows are open. Go to restaurants that don't allow any smoking (Indoor Air Pollution). If you have children, be sure that their daycare does not allow smoking.