What are sources of indoor air pollution?

Answer 1

Failure to have good ventilation and bringing gaseous items indoors are the biggest causes of indoor air pollution. Some of the items that cause indoor air pollution include tobacco, pesticides, and asbestos.

Answer 2

There are several:

• Using electricity in a manner that generates ozone
• Using gas or kerosene operated devices indoors without proper ventilation to remove combustion gases or fugitive hydrocarbon emissions
• Using solvent based paints and cleaners
• Using glues which emit solvents as they dry
• New carpeting with latex backing
• Fungus and mold from plants and dampness
• Pets (hair and dander)
• Smoking tobacco
• Perfumes and a perfumed products
• Cooking smokes and fumes
• Hobbies involving heavy metals, dusts, oils and toxins
• Gasoline, diesel and exhaust fumes from attached garages
• Pollen
• Allergens (peanuts etc.)

Answer 3

There are many types of indoor air pollutants. Mold spores and other allergens, like dander and pollen are some examples of common indoor air pollutants.

Other pollutants come directly from the furnishings and products we choose to use indoors. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs are chemical substances that have an extremely low boiling point, easily entering indoor air as a vapor at room temperature. VOCs can come from new carpeting, pressboard furniture, air freshener, insect spray, oven cleaner, etc.

Answer 4

Indoor air is a problem for many reasons. The majority of people spend more time inside than outside. The air inside an enclosed environment becomes stagnate and saturated with germs, chemicals, and other harmful particles. As people our bodies absorb these elements through breathing. If you breathe harmful air then chances are your body can not filter every harmful component causing you to become sick. This is why indoor air is a problem. In addition, air conditioning in large office buildings inducts air from the outdoors and cools it. If the air outside is polluted, it may not be properly cleaned by the air conditioning system. This results in having people breathe in bad air.

Answer 5

Pollution is 2x to 5x worse indoors. The culprit is chemicals found in conventional household cleaners, air fragrances, and mold. My suggestion is to use certified green cleaners and organic fragrances.