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An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality
Pollutants and Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
- Asbestos
- Biological Pollutants
- Carbon Monoxide
- Formaldehyde/Pressed Wood Products
- Household Cleaning and Maintenance, Personal Care, or Hobbies
- Lead
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Pesticides
- Radon
- Respirable Particles
- Secondhand Smoke/Environmental Tobacco Smoke
- Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys
Read "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality"
Respirable Particles
Sources of Respirable Particles
Fireplaces, wood stoves, and kerosene heaters. See also stoves, heaters, fireplaces, and chimneys, and Environmental tobacco smoke.
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; respiratory infections and bronchitis; lung cancer.
Particle levels in homes without smoking or other strong particle sources are the same as, or lower than, outdoor levels.
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Respirable Particles
- Vent all furnaces to outdoors; keep doors to rest of house open when using
unvented space heaters.
- Choose properly sized woodstoves, certified to meet EPA emission
standards; make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly.
- Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating
system (furnace, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks
properly.
- Change filters on central heating and cooling systems and air cleaners according to manufacturer's directions.
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air was launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg to address the increased environmental health risk faced by more than 2 billion people in the developing world who burn traditional biomass fuels indoors for cooking and heating. According to the World Health Organization, their increased exposure results in an estimated 1.6 million premature deaths each year, largely among women and children. The mission of the Partnership is to improve health, livelihood, and quality of life by reducing exposure to air pollution, primarily among women and children, from household energy use. Read more...
"What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution" (1997 version) (CPSC Publication #452)
Answers commonly-asked questions about the effect of combustion appliances (e.g., fuel-burning furnaces, space heaters, kitchen ranges, and fireplaces) on indoor air quality and human health. Describes other sources of combustion pollutants in and around the home. Suggests ways to reduce exposure to such pollutants and encourages proper installation, use, and maintenance of combustion appliances.
- Link to HTML version - www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/452.html