What Common Pollutants Can Be Found in Indoor Air?

Nov 8, 2022

4 min read

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The EPA reports that there are 13 common indoor air pollution sources. They can come from VOCs, biological pollutants or combustion byproducts with legacy status. These four types fall into one of three categories: hazardous substances which may cause short-term health effects; irritants causing discomfort over time; renewable energy systems such as plants and animals inside buildings themselves. You can use air purifiers to clean your indoor air quality to some extent. Read this post to know about types of air purifiers. 

  1. Asbestos

In the past, asbestos was used to make many products that are no longer made or available. As such it can be difficult for people who have been exposed to these items and their dangerous fibers without warning symptoms from exposure.

Asbestos has strong durability which allowed them to be used in construction materials including insulation roofing shingle fire retainer; also became a popular friction item on car's transmissions.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to a number of health problems, including lung disease and mesothelioma. As such there are existing asbestos-related materials importation restrictions in place that limit what can be brought into the country or even how much you may possess at home without knowing about these risks beforehand.

  1. Pollutants Derived From Living Organisms

The danger of biological pollutants is that they can be carried through the air and deposited onto surfaces. This includes bacteria, viruses, pet dander/saliva or pollen which are all contaminating organisms found in areas with excessive food or moisture sources such as farms where animals live out their lives before being eaten by humans.

In buildings, the air quality can be compromised by mold and bacteria that thrive in moist environments. This is especially true for humidifiers or bathrooms without adequate ventilation systems which cause excessive moisture levels to generate more harmful microbes than needed.

Mold thrives on surfaces exposed all year round so keep an eye out next time you're renovating.

  1. Carbon Monoxide

The greatest outdoor contributors of carbon monoxide are vehicles. Kerosene lamps and gas heaters lead indoor sources, releasing this odorless gas into our homes where it can be extremely hazardous to humans. who breathe them in large amounts or encounter an accidental spillage from either source of these appliances.

The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning is very real, as it can cause dizziness and unconsciousness. Even death could be an outcome for those who are exposed in environments with poor ventilation or contain high levels that aren't usually found outside since sunlight converts the toxic gas into dioxide before doing any damage.

  1. Cook stoves and Heaters

Indoor air quality is a major concern for many people, especially those who live in poor neighborhoods with little access to fresh outdoors. The use of solid fuels like wood or charcoal when cooking can lead to unhealthy smoke and fumes that combine into potent irritants inside your home's walls. 

This problem becomes even more severe if you have young children at foot because they're likely spending lots of time playing near fire pits outside.

  1. Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a harmful chemical found in many building materials and household products, such as resins on wood or insulation material. It's also commonly used for glues to hold these items together; paints that protect surfaces from moisture damage, cosmetic preservatives like perfume so you can wear it without worrying about getting sick and pesticides.

  1. Lead (Pb)

Lead is a dangerous metal that can be found in many different places. One common place for lead to come out of its casualties are cars, buildings and other forms of construction equipment like cement mixers or asphalt trucks which all emit fumes with high levels of countenance when they're used without precautions.

If inhaled by humans it would accumulate throughout our bodies causing adverse effects such as nervous system damage via adrenaline responses; cardiovascular problems including heart attacks/high blood pressure due either psychological stressors or industrial ones.

  1. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide is one of the most dangerous nitrogen oxides. It's often found in high levels with water, and can cause acid rain that could lead to serious respiratory problems for people who have asthma or other related illnesses. 

If you're looking into getting your first car then consider whether it has good gas mileage so as not add any more toxins into our air just think about how quickly this would accumulate if everyone had an emissions-free vehicle.

  1. Pesticides

The common use of pesticides in our homes can have long-term effects on your health. They are toxic and may result from exposure to them as well. The most commonly reported short term effect is skin irritation such as rashes or blisters, but there's also risk for eye problems like burning sensation caused by strong sunlight.

This would make sense since you’re trying not to let this happen during summer months when doors stay open allowing more sunshine inside than usual.

  1. Radon 

The presence of radon is often questioned by homeowners, but it's important not to worry too much. This naturally occurring gas has no taste or smell which makes detection difficult without specific tests for this element. 

However most people are exposed indoors through cracks in buildings’ envelopes where there can be small concentrations trapped inside due to its environmental stability.

The second leading cause of lung cancer in America is radon. Indoor air quality can be tested for and if levels are too high, then ventilation or rate at which buildings are washed out needs to improve. So that we may all enjoy clean living spaces free from harmful particles such as those brought on by natural disasters like hurricanes.

You can improve your indoor air quality by following some simple methods and that is very important as well. 

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