What are the major types of pollutants that cause indoor air pollution?
Biological contaminants can come from both outside and inside the home and may cause allergic symptoms. Examples of contaminants include: fungi (moulds), insects such as dust mites and cockroaches, fur-bearing animals, such as dander from dogs or cats, and dusts and pollens. For more information, see HealthLink BC File #65b IAQ: Moulds and Other Biological Contaminants. Combustion (burning) by-products are gases and tiny particles that are caused by the incomplete burning of fuels such as oil, gas, kerosene, wood, coal and propane. Examples of combustion by-products include, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Sources include wood heaters and woodstoves, furnaces, gas ranges, fireplaces and car exhaust (in an attached garage). Tobacco smoke is another source. For more information, see HealthLink BC File #65c IAQ: Combustion By-products and #30a Second-Hand Smoke. Formaldehyde and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Formaldehyde is a chemical found in many
