Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality (pollution) can bother your eyes, nose, and throat. It can also lead to chronic heart and lung problems and cancer.

Air pollution in the home can come from

• wood smoke;
• tobacco smoke;
• gas-burning furnaces;
• gas-burning appliances;
• radon gas;
• mold; and
• allergens.

Home air pollution can be made worse by poor ventilation, high heat, and high humidity.

Health and Safety Tips

• Adopt a smoke-free home. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General)
• Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near bedrooms and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
• Vacuum carpets often to remove allergens that trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
• Test your home for radon gas. If levels are above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level, take steps to reduce those levels. (EPA)
• Have gas appliances professionally installed, vented outside, and checked annually for carbon monoxide leaks.
• Never run cars, lawnmowers and other combustion devices inside the garage. Always operate a safe distance from windows and doors.
• Properly ventilate rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, to prevent moisture buildup and mold.

Important Links

• Allergens
  • Allergens & Irritants (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
• Carbon Monoxide
• Formaldehyde
• Mold
  • Mold and Health
  • Mold Publications and Resources (EPA)
• Radon
  • ToxFAQs™ for Radon
  • A citizen's guide to radon (EPA)
• Secondhand Smoke
  • Secondhand Smoke
  • Setting the Record Straight: Secondhand Smoke is a Preventable Health Risk (EPA)

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