Other Services & Information

  1. Air Quality
  2. Mesothelioma
  3. Mold
  4. Pests
  5. Rabies

Pollution

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate 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 home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

Sources

There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as: 

The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.

Continuous Pollutant Release

Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include: 

  • Smoking
  • The use of cleaning products and pesticides in house-keeping
  • The use of paint strippers in redecorating activities
  • The use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities
  • The use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters

High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.