| We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, | | | | Indoor pollution sources that release gases or |
| but the air in your house or office could also be | | | | particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor |
| polluted. Sources of indoor pollution include Biological | | | | air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation |
| contaminants like mold and pollen. Tobacco smoke, | | | | can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in |
| Household products and pesticides. Gases such as | | | | enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor |
| radon and carbon monoxide. Materials used in the | | | | sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out |
| building such as asbestos, formaldehyde and lead. Sick | | | | of the home. High temperature and humidity levels |
| building syndrome occurs when several people are | | | | can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. |
| affected, but no specific source of the illness is | | | | There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any |
| found. | | | | home. These include combustion sources such as oil, |
| Indoor air quality problems usually only cause | | | | gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; |
| discomfort, and most people feel better as soon as | | | | building materials and furnishings as diverse as |
| they eliminate the source of the pollution. However, | | | | deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or |
| some pollutants can cause diseases that show up | | | | damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of |
| much later, such as respiratory diseases or cancer. | | | | certain pressed wood products; products for |
| Making sure that your building is well-ventilated and | | | | household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or |
| eliminating pollutants can improve the quality of your | | | | hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and |
| indoor air. | | | | humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as |
| All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we | | | | radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution. |
| go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in | | | | Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air |
| planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being | | | | quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or |
| exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying | | | | to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those |
| degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. | | | | that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; |
| Some we choose to accept it because to do | | | | others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease |
| otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives | | | | the amount of emissions. In many cases, source |
| the way we want. And some are risks we might | | | | control is also a more cost-efficient approach to |
| decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make | | | | protecting indoor air quality than increasing ventilation |
| informed choices. Indoor air pollution is one risk that | | | | because increasing ventilation can increase energy |
| you can do something about. Air purifiers and | | | | costs try to make your home a healthy one. You can |
| vitamins could help and changing your cleaning supplies | | | | start by going to my resource box and clicking on |
| to all natural cleaning supplies which you can find in | | | | the site. We all can make little changes that will make |
| many online stores or your local super market. | | | | our homes and the earth a cleaner place. |
| What Causes Indoor Air Problems? | | | | |