Indoor Air Pollution

This section focuses on IAP issues in the home. Some are asthma trigger or carcinogens. Other can affect the nervous system. IAP issues can be different in schools and the workplace. Our book What’s Toxic Whats Not is an IAP resource for each of these environments.

People become concerned about their home’s air for many reasons - a funny odor, a news report, reading a warning lable on a product. But by far the most common reason is that someone feels ill when at home.

Many IAPs can cause respiratory symptoms, worsen asthma, or be a cancer risk. The worst offenders are listed below. See the solution links to lower your exposures.

IAP Agent    Health Effects  SOURCE in your HOME  Solution 
Formaldehyde      Irritant, Asthma, Carcinogen  Offgases from plywood particle board and veneer furniture Avoid formaldehyde-containing products
 Benzene Cancer  Car parked in attached garage; gasoline stored in basement or attached garage  Keep gasoline out of basement; seal off attached garage 
Other VOCs  Headache, irritation, asthma trigger  Consumer products,
new carpet 		 Buy low VOC products, air our carpeting