When you think of air pollution, you probably picture a city shrouded in smog, a truck belching out toxic exhaust or a forest fire filling the air with smoke. And while all of those things can create dangerous outdoor air quality, what about the air you’re breathing indoors?
According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), we spend an estimated 90% of our time indoors. So the air you’re breathing inside your house also needs to be clean and free of pollutants.
“Indoor air pollution can be less obvious than poor outdoor air quality,” says Ikenna Okereke, M.D., a thoracic surgeon at Henry Ford Health. “But because it can affect the health of you and your family, it’s important to understand the causes and risks.”
What Causes Indoor Air Pollution?
There are many reasons why the air inside your home may not be as clean as it should be. Indoor air pollutants can come from activities you do in your home, furnishings and carpets, allergens and even some potentially toxic chemicals and gasses.
According to Dr. Okereke, some of the main causes of indoor air pollution include:
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- Gas stoves
- Smoking inside the home
- Radon
- Carbon monoxide
- Mold
- Allergens (from pets or pollens)
- Formaldehyde (a chemical found in some furniture, cabinets, carpets, paints and glues)
- Asbestos
Properly ventilating your house helps to keep indoor air pollutants from accumulating to unsafe levels. “In general, opening windows helps with ventilation and improves indoor air quality,” says Dr. Okereke. “But in situations where the outdoor air quality is particularly bad (such as wildfires), it’s better to keep windows closed.”
How Indoor Air Quality Affects Health
In some cases, you may notice the effects of indoor air pollution after just a brief exposure. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be more affected. Children and elderly adults are also more vulnerable.
Signs of exposure to indoor air pollutants can be similar to symptoms of allergies or a cold. You might experience symptoms such as:
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
Chronic exposure to certain indoor air pollutants can lead to more serious illnesses. Living with poor indoor air quality can contribute to respiratory conditions, heart disease and even some types of cancer.
Tips For Cleaning The Air In Your Home
Improving the air quality in your home requires a three-pronged approach. This includes:
- Controlling the source of pollutants: According to the EPA, this is the most important first step. And that makes sense, because fewer pollution culprits means less indoor air pollution. If you have a gas stove, learn how to make adjustments that help it release fewer emissions. Have your home tested for radon and install a radon mitigation system if necessary. When purchasing new paint, flooring or carpeting, look for versions labeled “low VOC” (volatile organic compounds).
- Improving your home’s ventilation: Ventilating your home means bringing more outside air inside and allowing some inside air to move out. This exchange of air helps lower the level of any pollutants that may have built up inside your home. Ventilating can be as simple as opening some windows. Some heating and air conditioning systems automatically exchange air regularly. And mechanical ventilation—such as a whole house fan—can improve the air flow both into and out of the home.
- Cleaning the air inside: Using a home air purifier may help improve indoor air quality. But not all air purifiers are equally effective. Even the best will mostly help with removing polluting particles such as pet dander, pollen and smoke from the air. An air purifier won’t clean your air of potentially harmful gasses or chemicals (like radon or formaldehyde). “Always make sure to keep the filters cleans in your heating and air conditioning systems,” says Dr. Okereke. “This helps ensure that dust and other pollutants that collect on the filter don’t blow back into your home’s air.”
