Indoor Air Pollution
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Indoor air pollution can come from:
- Fuel-burning appliances
- Smoking and vaping
- Building materials and furnishings such as:
- Disturbed or deteriorated asbestos-containing ceiling tiles and insulation
- Newly installed flooring, upholstery, or carpet
- Cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products
- Products for household cleaning and maintenance, pest control (pesticides), personal care, or hobbies
- Central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices
- Excess moisture, mold growth
- Outdoor sources that leak or drift indoors such as:
- Radon
- Allergens such as pollen
- Pesticides
- Outdoor air pollution
Children are uniquely vulnerable to air pollution because their brains, lungs, and other organs are still developing. They breathe twice as fast, often by mouth, taking in more pollutants than adults in the same environment. Air pollution can also worsen health conditions in children such as asthma and bronchitis.
Poor ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the area. If too little outdoor air enters indoors, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.
Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.
Immediate Effects |
Long term Effects |
Symptoms include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, cough or wheeze, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. |
Health effects that may show up years after exposure or after long and repeated periods of exposure include respiratory diseases such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer. |
Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Justice
Communities that have fewer economic resources and/or health disparities, including tribal and indigenous communities, may be unfairly impacted by poor indoor air quality. Read more: Indoor Air Quality and Community-Based Action
Families and Communities
We spend most of our time indoors where air pollutant levels are often higher than outdoors. Chemicals released from gas appliances, building materials, smoking, and furniture can all contribute to this problem. The best way to protect your family and yourself from indoor air pollution is to prevent or minimize the release of pollutants indoors.
- Keep cigarette smoking, vaping, and marijuana smoking to outdoor areas and away from doors and windows.
- Choose cleaning products with the Safer Choice Label or make your own low cost safer cleaning agents
- Limit air fresheners and other strongly scented products.
- Minimize the use of products that make surfaces stain-and water-repellent or non-stick, since they may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Examples of PFAS-containing products include stain/water repellents for carpets and fabrics, some countertop sealers, some waxes for floors and tile, and non-stick cook pans. (look for word “fluoro” or PTFE on labels)
- Use high efficiency filters in your home's central heating and cooling system. Filters rated as MERV 13 or higher are best for reducing health concerning small particles. Change the air filters more often when there's more smoke or pollen in the air.
- Use paint, glue, caulk, candles and incense outdoors when possible.
- Increase ventilation such as opening windows and doors as weather permits especially when using products that may generate pollutants.
- Ask your pediatrician how air pollution can be added to your child's asthma action plan.
- Use formaldehyde-free products such as solid wood, gypsum board, stainless steel, adobe, bricks, and tile for construction or renovation when possible.
- Air out new carpet or furniture before bringing them indoors for as long as possible.
- If your kitchen range hood vents to the outdoors, always turn on range hoods when cooking, and set it to the highest fan speed when possible.
- Use an electric or gas stove and heater instead of a wood stove or fireplace. If you do burn wood, use “seasoned” (dry) wood, and make sure that your fireplace or woodstove drafts properly.
- Never use gas stoves to heat the house as this can lead to a build-up of deadly carbon monoxide and other air pollutants.
- Never use hibachis, charcoal grills, unvented space heaters, or portable generators indoors that can also lead to build-up of deadly carbon monoxide.
- Have gas heaters and stoves checked annually by a professional before the heating season to assure that they are functioning properly and vented to the outdoors.
- Use a doormat: Wiping shoes or removing them before entering the house can reduce pollutants carried into the house.
- Vacuum and Mop floors Often: Do this especially if you have a pet. A vacuum with a HEPA air filter is best. Brooms can just stir up more dust.
- Use a Microfiber Dusting Cloth or wet dust to control dust build up
- Minimize Carpeting: It can trap pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and other dirt and dust. Choose hard-surface flooring instead.
Schools and child care providers
School and child care administrators can enhance indoor air quality in centers and schools through regular monitoring, better ventilation, filtration systems and other approaches.
Read more:
- Indoor air quality and ventilation, ECLKC
- Indoor air quality in schools guide, American Lung Association
- Ventilation Basics for Head Start Programs, ECLKC
Health Professionals
Health professionals play an important role in protecting children from air-pollution related illnesses. The EPA offers a diagnostic checklist and quick guide related to indoor air pollution.
In addition to encouraging families to follow the prevention recommendations in the family section above, professionals can:
- Identify potential indoor air pollution triggers for patients with asthma and provide counseling on trigger reduction.
- Add air quality concerns to your patient's asthma action plan.
- Discuss the benefits of portable HEPA air cleaners with patients.
- Advocate for healthy indoor school and daycare environments for children.
Resources for health professionals
- Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse – US EPA
- Air Cleaners and Air Filters in the Home – US EPA
- American Lung Association
- Indoor Air Quality Scientific Findings Resource Bank
- Pediatric Environmental Home Assessment Form
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Prescription for Prevention on Indoor Air Pollution (Region 2)
Updated July 9, 2024
Funder Disclaimer
The Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) are supported by cooperative agreement FAIN: NU61TS000356 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides support through Inter-Agency Agreement 24TSS2400078 with CDC/ATSDR. The Public Health Institute supports the PEHSU as the National Program Office. The content on this website has not been formally disseminated by CDC/ATSDR or the EPA and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Use of trade names that may be mentioned is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the CDC/ATSDR or EPA.
The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your/your child’s primary care provider. There may be variations in treatment that your provider may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.