Indoor Air Quality Problems and Causes

Most of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors, so your home’s air quality (or indoor air quality, or IAQ) affects the lives of you and your family every day.

Common indoor air pollutants

Throughout your home, there could be contaminants that you do not know about that are quietly contributing to air quality problems in every room of the house. There are many factors that can cause indoor air pollution:

  • aerosol can spraying liquidBedrooms – dust mites, pet dander, fragrances, dry-cleaning
  • Family rooms – tobacco smoke, wood stoves/fireplaces, unvented space heaters
  • Bathrooms – plumbing leaks, damp flooring and carpeting, excessive moisture, insect debris, viruses and bacteria, household cleaners, air fresheners
  • Kitchens – cooking smoke, gas appliances, household cleaning agents, insect debris, viruses and bacteria, garbage pails, plumbing leaks
  • Attics – outdated insulation, old clothing and bedding, asbestos, dust
  • Garages – paints and solvents, auto exhaust and gasoline fumes, pesticides and herbicides, carbon monoxide, hobby supplies (like vanishes and glues)
  • Basements – radon, plumbing leaks, viruses and bacteria, dust
  • Fireplaces – carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particle allergens, chemical pollutants, and temperature, humidity, air pressure issues
  • Yards – pollen, dust, pesticides, herbicides

Comfort and IAQ

Pollutants aren’t the only contributors to poor IAQ. Today’s tightly sealed and energy-efficient homes can actually have negative effects on your home’s air quality because they might not be properly equipped to filter and purify the constantly re-circulated air. Without adequate indoor air circulation, pollutants can build up over time, leading to poor indoor air quality. Temperature and humidity need to be balanced to create a comfortable and healthy home environment.

  • Are you too warm or cold at times?
  • Are bedrooms not comfortable enough for sleeping?
  • Do you find your home humid in the summer or dry in the winter?
  • Does your home generally feel cool and clammy?

Learn more about HomeAdvice indoor air quality testing.

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Resources

IAQ Facts

  • The typical home generates 40 pounds of dust a year per every 1500 square feet.
  • There are over 4,000 compounds in tobacco smoke, many of which are strong irritants.
  • Just 1 oz. of dust contains about 40,000 dust mites, which aggravate allergies.
  • Flowers and trees are both sources of pollen, but surprisingly trees affect allergy sufferers more. Trees like alder, pine and birch do not rely on insects to distribute pollen. They rely on wind, and this means their pollen can regularly enter your home.
  • Common activities such as cooking, cleaning, and remodeling cause the spread of indoor contaminants.

Find an Expert

Find a HomeAdvice contractor in your area to conduct an IAQ or energy test at your home.