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Many people underestimate the extent of the indoor air pollution problem. Air
pollution is usually visualized as the black smoke emitted from factories. Little
thought is given to tobacco smoke and the by-products of aerosol sprays,
paints, cleaners, and pesticides used in the home. To compound the problem,
it is estimated that the average American spends 70 percent to 90 percent of
his or her time indoors, and more than half that time is spent in the home.
WHAT HEALTH EFFECTS CAN BE CAUSED BY POOR INDOOR AIR
QUALITY?
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms
such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion,
dizziness, and nausea. Because many illnesses can cause these symptoms,
diagnosing sick building syndrome is difficult. Extremely high levels of some
contaminants, such as carbon monoxide, can cause more serious illness,
including death.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC CAUSES OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY?
Poor ventilation and specific sources of contaminants in the home cause most
indoor air problems. Each of these will be addressed in this section.
1. Ventilation Problems
Poor indoor air quality is generally caused by the lack of adequate ventilation,
which results in a buildup of contaminants from sources in the home. The
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified inadequate
ventilation as the primary problem in more than half the workplace indoor air
investigations it has conducted. Investigations conducted in homes by the
Illinois Department of Public Health have found the same to be true. These
investigations revealed that proper ventilation is important in maintaining good
indoor air quality.