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Go Local
- Services and providers for Indoor Air Pollution in the U.S.
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National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Indoor Air Pollution is the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Indoor Air Pollution
We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air in your house or office could also be polluted. Sources of indoor pollution include
- Biological contaminants like mold and pollen
- Tobacco smoke
- Household products and pesticides
- Gases such as radon and carbon monoxide
- Materials used in the building such as asbestos, formaldehyde and lead
Sick building syndrome occurs when several people are affected, but no specific source of the illness is found. Indoor air quality problems usually only cause discomfort, and most people feel better as soon as they eliminate the source of the pollution. However, some pollutants can cause diseases that show up much later, such as respiratory diseases or cancer. Making sure that your building is well-ventilated and eliminating pollutants can improve the quality of your indoor air.
Environmental Protection Agency
Start Here
- Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
| Basics | Learn More | Multimedia & Cool Tools |
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| Research | Reference Shelf | For You |
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Latest News
- Pollution At Home Often Lurks Unrecognized(12/26/2008, Reuters Health)
- Gas Stove Emissions Boost Asthma in Inner-City Kids(10/24/2008, HealthDay)
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Prevention/Screening
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Flood Cleanup(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
Also available in Spanish
- Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Indoor Air Quality and Building a Home Addition(Environmental Protection Agency)
- Ozone Generators That Are Sold as Air Cleaners(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Use and Care of Home Humidifiers(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Your Home: Ventilation(Dept. of Energy)
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Flood Cleanup(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
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Specific Conditions
- Biological Pollutants(Environmental Protection Agency)
- Formaldehyde(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Indoor Air Quality(Consumer Product Safety Commission)
- Ventilation for Airborne Hazards(American Lung Association)
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Related Issues
- Cleaner Burning Wood Stoves and Fireplaces: Healthier Home, Cleaner Environment(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Basics for Schools(American Lung Association)
- Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)(Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation)
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Tox Town
(National Library of Medicine)
Also available in Spanish
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Research
- FEMA-Provided Travel Trailer Study(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Vest Monitors Show Air Pollution Is Dangerous Indoors and Out(American Heart Association)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Indoor air VOC concentrations in suburban and rural New Jersey.
- Article: Parent report of pests and pets and indoor allergen levels...
- Article: An examination of interventions to reduce respiratory health and injury...
- Indoor Air Pollution -- see more articles
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Indoor Air Quality Glossary of Terms(Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation)
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Directories
- IAQ Hotlines and Resources(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
- Indoor Air Quality Information by State(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Where You Live: State and Regional Indoor Environments Contact Information(Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division)
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Organizations
- American Lung Association
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Environments Division
- National Center for Environmental Health(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Also available in Spanish
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Seniors
- Age Healthier, Breathe Easier: Solutions You Can Use to Control or Reduce Environmental Triggers(Environmental Protection Agency)
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Date last updated: 05 January 2009 Topic last reviewed: 05 January 2009 |