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In the mid 1970s, in response to the energy crisis, homes and offices were heavily
insulated to conserve energy. These "air-tight", energy-efficient rooms are
perfect for trapping in all kinds of pollutants and air-borned particles.
The CDC estimates that up to 20 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including 6.3 million children.
See the article on indoor air quality for more info.
Here's a common list indoor air pollutants:
- Pollen
- Dust
- Pet dander
- Mold and Mildew
- Dust Mites
- Viruses, Bacterias and germs
- Tobacco Smoke
- Chemicals and gases
An efficient air purifier will eliminate or reduce a host of airborne contaminants
such as those listed above.
The list of air pollutants above can be categorized into 3 major categories:
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
- In-organic pollutants
- Biological pollutants
 Volatile Organic Compounds
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products.
Some common examples are: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.
Studies have found levels of a few common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times
higher inside homes than outside, regardless of the location of the home (either in rural
or highly industrial areas). Additional studies indicate that while using these
products containing organic chemicals, the users and people around them are exposed to
very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations may persist in the air long
after the activity is completed.
Health Effects:
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are
suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.
Recommended Solution:
When using such products, please keep the following in mind:
- Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully.
- Ensure you've good ventilation (e.g. open windows to provide plenty of fresh air)
- Throw away unused or little-used containers safely
- Don't buy in bulk. Just buy what you need, i.e. in quantities that you will use soon.
- Never mix household care products unless directed on the label.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
In-Organic Pollutants
Examples of in-organic pollutants include smoke (e.g. tobacco smoke),
carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and air-borne particles.
The majar sources of these pollutants are combustion products such as
unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces, and gas stoves.
Health Effects:
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that disrupts the delivery of
oxygen in our bodies. At high concentrations, it can cause a range of symptoms from
headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, and disorientation, to fatigue
in healthy people.
Nitrogen dioxide irritates the mucous membranes in the eye, nose, and throat
and causes shortness of breath after exposure to high concentrations.
Evidence showed that continuous exposure to low levels of nitrogen dioxide will
increases the risk of respiratory infection; there is also evidence from animals
studies that repeated exposures to elevated nitrogen dioxide levels may lead,
or contribute, to the development of lung disease such as emphysema.
Tobacco smoke and air borned particles (released when fuels are incompletely burned),
can lodge in the lungs and irritate or damage the lung tissues. One of the pollutants,
radon which causes cancer, can attach themselves to small
particles that are inhaled and then carried deep into the lung.
They may cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; respiratory infections, bronchitis
and lung cancer.
Recommended Solution:
Here are some steps that you can take to reduce these pollutants:
- Vent all furnaces to outdoors; e.g. opening the windows, or doors.
- Consider installing extraction/exhaust fans.
- Select properly sized woodstoves, certified to meet EPA emission standards;
and ensure that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly.
- Have trained professionals inspect, clean, and service your central heating
system (e.g furnace, flues, and chimneys) annually.
- Change filters on central heating and cooling systems according to
manufacturer's recommendations
- Purchase a good quality air-purifier. An
air-purifier will not rid radon gas, but it will rid the
air of air-borned particles which the radon gas may attach itself to.
Biological Pollutants
Biological pollutants include bacteria, viruses, molds, pollen, mildew, pet dander and
saliva, house dust, mites, cockroaches, etc.
These pollutants comes from various sources. Pollens originate from plants;
bacteria are carried by people, animals, and soil and plant debris;
viruses are transmitted by people and animals;
and household pets are sources of saliva and animal dander.
Protein in urine from rats is a potent allergen. When it dries, it become airborne.
Dirty central air heating/cooling systems become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and
other sources of biological contaminants which is then distributed through the home as the
air circulates.
Health Effects:
Biological pollutants usually trigger allergic reactions such as allergic rhinitis,
hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and some types of asthma. Infectious illnesses
such as influenza, measles, and chicken pox are transmitted through the viruses in the air.
Molds and mildews release disease-causing toxins.
Symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants include
sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, watery eyes, dizziness, lethargy, fever. It may
even cause digestive problems.
Recommended Solution:
Here are some steps that you can take to reduce these pollutants:
- Use exhaust fans that are vented to the outdoors in kitchens, bathrooms and any other wet areas in the home.
- Ventilate the attic and basement to prevent moisture build-up. Keep these places dry.
- Clean and service your humidifiers according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Keep the house clean. House dust mites, pollens, animal dander, and other
allergy-causing agents can be reduced, although not eliminated, through regular cleaning.
An efficient air purifier or air cleaner will help
greatly in enhancing the quality of air in your home by reducing the in-organic and
biological pollutants. You can read more about the
various types of air cleaners/air purifiers here
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