Indoor Air Pollution

• 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