How Indoor Air Pollution Might Be Affecting You and Your Family's Health
Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution
The effects of indoor air pollutants range from short-term effects – eye and throat irritation – to long-term effects – respiratory disease and cancer. Exposure to high levels of some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, can even result in immediate death. Also, some indoor pollutants can magnify the effects of other indoor pollutants. Based on cancer risk alone, federal scientists have ranked indoor air pollution as one of the most important environmental problems in the United States.
Symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution1
Common symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution
Symptoms of poor indoor air quality are very broad and depend on the contaminant. They can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses such as allergies, stress, colds and influenza. The most common symptoms are:
- coughing
- sneezing
- watery eyes
- fatigue
- dizziness
- headaches
- upper respiratory congestion
If you notice relief from your symptoms soon after leaving a particular room or building, your symptoms may be caused by indoor air contaminants.
Respiratory Health Effects
Consult the EPA’s Health Effect Symptom Reference Chart to determine the cause of the particular health effect:
- Rhinitis, nasal congestion (inflammation of the nose, runny nose)
- Epistaxis (nose bleeds)
- Dyspnea (difficulty of breathing or painful breathing)
- Pharyngitis (sore throat), cough
- Wheezing, worsening asthma
- Severe lung disease
More Severe Health Effects
Consult the EPA’s Health Effect Symptom Reference Chart to determine the cause of the particular health effect:
- Conjunctival (eye) irritation
- Rashes
- Fever, chills
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat, sometimes leading to shortness of breath)
- Headache or dizziness
- Lethargy, fatigue, malaise
- Nausea, vomiting, anorexia
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Hearing loss
Causes of IAQ Health Effects
A full list of the causes, sources, and contaminants of indoor air quality health effects:
-
Contamination Sources VOCs
(Volatile Organic Compounds)Perfumes, hairsprays,
furniture polish
Cleaning solvents
Hobby and craft supplies
Pesticides
Carpet dyes and fibers
Glues, adhesives, sealants.Paints, stains, varnishes, strippers
Wood preservatives
Dry cleaned clothes, moth repellents
Air fresheners
Stored fuels, and automotive products
Contaminated water
PlasticsFormaldehyde Paricleboard, interior-grade plywood
Cabinetry, furnitureUrea Formaldehyde foam insulation
Carpet, fabricsPesticides Insecticides, (including termiticides)
RodenticidesFungicides, disinfectants
Herbicides (from outdoor use)Lead Lead-based paint Exterior dust and soil Carbon Monoxide
carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxideImproperly operating gas or oil furnace/hot water heater, fireplace, wood stove Unvented gas heater/kerosene heater Sulfur Dioxide Combustion of sulfur-containing fuels (primarily kerosene heaters) RSP (respirable particulates) Fireplace, woodstove
Unvented gas heaterTobacco products
Unvented kerosene heaterPAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) Fireplace, woodstove
Unvented kerosene heaterTobacco products ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) Tobacco products Biological contaminants Plants, animals, birds, humans
Pillows, bedding, house dust
Wet or damp materialsStanding water
Humidifiers, evaporative coolers
Hot water tankAsbestos Pipe and furnace insulation
Ceiling and floor tilesDecorative sprays
Shingles and sidingRadon Soil and rock
Some building materialsWater
More Information
For more information, or to request a professional indoor air quality consultation:
- EPA’s Diagnostic Quick Symptom Reference Chart
- EPA’s Health Effect Checklist
- Request an Indoor Air Quality Consultation
- Yuanhui Zhang (2005) Indoor Air Quality Engineering. CRC Press LLC., 7