Indoor Air Quality
Air pollution is a leading environmental health hazard and can happen indoors in places such as homes,
workplaces and in vehicles. Common health problems associated with poor air quality include heart and
other cardiovascular diseases and asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Understanding and controlling some of the common pollutants found in homes, schools,
and offices may help improve your indoor air and reduce your family's risk of
developing health outcomes related to indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality could be affected by common outdoor air pollutants in addition to the build-up of other chemicals, gases and particulates. Common indoor air pollutants include carbon monoxide gas, radon gas, smoke and chemicals such as from tobacco smoking, use of vapor-based items, and fragrances, pesticides, chemical-based household products, and lead dust. Exposure to these have been associated with several health problems.
Indoor air quality could be affected by common outdoor air pollutants in addition to the build-up of other chemicals, gases and particulates. Common indoor air pollutants include carbon monoxide gas, radon gas, smoke and chemicals such as from tobacco smoking, use of vapor-based items, and fragrances, pesticides, chemical-based household products, and lead dust. Exposure to these have been associated with several health problems.
The connection between housing and indoor work spaces and health is well documented
with research linking dust, mold, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and pests with
the aggravation of asthma; radon and ETS causing lung cancer; lead-based paint
contributing to child lead poisoning; carbon monoxide and some household products
causing poisoning; and building (construction) deficiencies contributing to falls
and accidents. These housing-related health and safety hazards have a major negative
impact on communities. They lead to missed school and work days, poor quality of life,
and financial hardship. This is especially true for vulnerable populations such
as seniors, children, people with disabilities and communities affected
by poor housing conditions.
Vulnerable populations include seniors, children, people with disabilities,
people with existing health conditions and communities impacted by poor
housing conditions. Many young children spend most of their time at home,
making indoor air quality especially important for them. Infants and toddlers
who grow up in safe and healthy environments tend to become healthy teens and adults.
Try these healthy living indoor air quality tips:
- Adopt a smoke-free policy in your home, workplace and car.
- Have the furnace and any other gas appliance inspected and serviced yearly.
- Ensure that a home or office has ventilation (bring outdoor air to the inside). If there is a ventilation system, make sure it is operating properly and filters are changed regularly.
- Have chimneys and fuel burning appliances inspected.
- Install and maintain a carbon monoxide detector.
- Install and maintain a smoke detector.
- Use appliances such as grills and generators outdoors only and away from windows and doors.
- Test for indoor radon.
- Take your shoes off when going inside your home and adopt a no-shoes-inside-the-house policy.
- Put doormats at all home and building entries.
