Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

• Symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution
• Causes of Indoor Air Quality Health Effects
• More Information

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 Plastics
  Formaldehyde	Paricleboard, interior-grade plywood Cabinetry, furniture	Urea Formaldehyde foam insulation Carpet, fabrics
  Pesticides	Insecticides, (including termiticides) Rodenticides	Fungicides, disinfectants Herbicides (from outdoor use)
  Lead	Lead-based paint	Exterior dust and soil
  Carbon Monoxide carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide	Improperly 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 heater	Tobacco products Unvented kerosene heater
  PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)	Fireplace, woodstove Unvented kerosene heater	Tobacco products
  ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke)	Tobacco products
  Biological contaminants	Plants, animals, birds, humans Pillows, bedding, house dust Wet or damp materials	Standing water Humidifiers, evaporative coolers Hot water tank
  Asbestos	Pipe and furnace insulation Ceiling and floor tiles	Decorative sprays Shingles and siding
  Radon	Soil and rock Some building materials	Water

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

1. Yuanhui Zhang (2005) Indoor Air Quality Engineering. CRC Press LLC., 7