What causes indoor air pollution problems?
Indoor air pollution results when man-made and natural chemicals, gases, particles, and other substances are produced or released in or near the home. Common pollutants found in homes are volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, particulates, radon, asbestos, and combustion gases and by-products. These pollutants come from a variety of sources such as household cleaning products, wood or fuels that are burned, building materials and products, furnishings, paint strippers, pesticides, the soil under a house, and human activities. Some sources, like air fresheners, release pollutants almost continuously. Others, like unvented space heaters, produce pollutants occasionally or when they are used. Has anyone set acceptable pollution levels for the home? Pollution standards exist for outside air and for the work place, but there are no standards for pollutant levels in the home. However, when homes have been monitored, pollutant levels indoors have sometimes exceeded “safe” outdoor or work
