800-615-2767

5 important things you should know about indoor air pollution

Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you’re off-limits to allergens and pollutants

Did you know that Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors?¹ This may seem like an extreme statistic, but look at it this way: Most of us work in office buildings or go to school; afterward we may go to a restaurant, gym or theater and then head home to a house or apartment. For the most part, we live our lives indoors.

The quality of our indoor air is something, more often than not, we overlook. Protect yourself and your loved ones with these facts and tips you should know about indoor air pollution.

1. The facts—it’s not pretty and you can’t see it.

It has been estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency that people who are exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods of time are the most susceptible to the effects of this pollution, so that means the young, the elderly and the ill²…a pretty frightening fact when your home is supposed to be your safe haven.

A major culprit of indoor air pollution? VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. These are organic chemicals that offgas at room temperature. VOCs include man-made and naturally occurring chemicals.³ Some common VOCs that may exist in your household include ethyl acetate, acetone and formaldehyde. Paints, protective coatings, adhesives and craft materials, as well as new carpet and furniture are major emitters of VOCs.⁴

Building materials (especially in new buildings), fixtures, household products and office equipment… all of these things could be offgassing and emitting VOCs in your indoor environment. Don’t forget about all the other chemicals we bring into our homes and use on a regular basis, like hair spray, harsh cleaners and craft supplies.

2. There are other indoor air offenders, too.

In addition to VOCs, there are other silent, and mostly unseen, sources that can also contribute to indoor air quality issues.

Molds are a form of fungi. It’s natural to have mold in your home, but when there are mold spores present in large quantities they can become hazardous.

At home, molds may be found in the bathroom, kitchen, storage areas and basements—any area that is damp, dark and steam-filled is likely to be a hot spot for mold. Mold spores release toxins into the air, which are easily inhaled.

Dust can also affect the air in your home. Airborne particles of pollen, animal hair, skin, material fibers, soil and more all comprise dust.

And then there is dust’s companion—dust mites. According to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the number one indoor allergen comes from dust mites.⁵ These microscopic arachnids feed off dead human skin cells. Dust mites thrive when undisturbed in dark, warm climates.

3. Indoor air pollutants can be hazardous to your health.

VOCs are widely known to cause health issues. These can range from skin, throat, nose and eye irritation and headaches to nausea and damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys.

While smog is a visible result of VOCs, the effect of VOCs in your home may not be apparent, but are just as dangerous and damaging.

For example, Sick Building Syndrome is something you may have suffered from but not even realized. It happens due to poor ventilation, and the outgassing of building materials and chemicals used within the building. Symptoms include sensory irritation and hypersensitivity reactions. According to a study done at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published in 2009, the prevalence of SBS symptoms increases by approximately 29 percent as the ventilation rate drops.⁶

On top of the harmful effects of VOCs, there is still mold and dust to worry about. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can cause sinus issues, rashes, and respiratory issues and in cases of toxic mold could be fatal.

The presence of dust in your household can worsen conditions such as asthma, allergies and hay fever. These include symptoms like coughing, sneezing, red, itchy eyes and trouble breathing. When dust is disturbed and becomes airborne, yet is still trapped indoors, health effects can be exacerbated.

Children and elderly people are the most susceptible to these issues caused by indoor air pollution.

4. Ventilation is key.

You know that feeling when you need to step out and just “get some air?” There is good reason the air inside can feel so stale.

Most modern building systems bring very little outdoor air in and end up just re-circulating the indoor air. The EPA reports that the air inside of people’s homes could be two to five times more polluted than that air outside.⁷

Think about it…Even when using a “non-toxic” cleaner in your home, the spray stays in the air circulating your kitchen until it meets fresh air.

Ventilation is key. Crack a few windows and get a cross breeze, rather than just turning on a fan. Fans are imperative though, in making sure that fresh air is distributed in your home and circulated throughout all spaces.

Make sure fans and heating/cooling vents in your home are cleaned regularly and free of dust particles so as to not push allergens into the air. And, even in winter, open up your windows to let some fresh air in.

It’s especially important to open windows when stirring up dust and other particles by cleaning, sweeping and vacuuming. 

5. Don’t worry…there are things you can do!

There are many simple measures that can be taken to make sure the air in your home is as pure as possible.

-Be careful what you clean with. Use natural household cleaners without harsh chemical ingredients

-Have houseplants throughout your home. It is the most natural way to keep air clean

-Place doormats at the entrances of your home and have visitors remove their shoes to avoid tracking dirt and debris into the house

-If you use an air filter, check consumer reports to be sure you’re using the most effective product

-Use low-VOC paints when touching up or painting walls and furniture

-Check for and fix leaks, especially in attics and basements where mold could be growing unnoticed

-Install a carbon monoxide detector

-Test for Radon

-Vent woodstoves properly

-Install a bathroom fan to prevent mold

-Make sure your oven, stove and kitchen are properly ventilated

-Steam clean to rid your carpets and sofas of dust mites (or better yet, don’t have carpet at all)

-Clean air conditioner/heat filters and vents

-Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate