5 Common Causes of Indoor Air Pollution — and How to Breathe Easier

When you think of air pollution, you likely envision smog-filled skylines or vehicle exhaust. However, the air inside our homes and businesses can harbor pollutants that are just as harmful, if not more so. 

Bad indoor air can pose significant health consequences for property owners. According to the American Lung Association, the average person spends 90% of their time inside houses, offices, schools, and other buildings, where pollution levels can be 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor environments.

Older and historic buildings, prevalent in the Chicagoland area, can be more susceptible to air quality issues. Additionally, our seasonal variations, with cold winters and humid summers, can trap pollutants indoors and exacerbate problems. 

Let’s explore the top 5 causes of musty, stale, or contaminated air and provide proactive tips for creating and maintaining a healthier living and working space. 

A Fungus Among Us

Mold and mildew are perhaps the most well-known culprits of indoor air pollution. These fungi thrive in damp, humid enclosures and can release spores into the air, causing various respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and even neurological problems. 

Mold growth is often a consequence of water damage, leaks, or high humidity levels, and it’s crucial to address the underlying moisture problem to prevent its spread.

Prevention Tips

• Prompt leak repair: Address leaks from pipes, faucets, or appliances as soon as possible — delaying can cause expensive property damage.
• Maintain good ventilation: Vent bathrooms and kitchens during and after use to remove moisture from the air.
• Basement and crawlspace upgrade: Increase air movement in basements and crawlspaces, and utilize dehumidifiers to control moisture levels.
• Swift spill cleanup: Don’t let water sit on surfaces for extended periods.

The Chemical Culprit

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a class of chemicals found in a wide range of household products, including paints, cleaning supplies, personal care products, furniture, and building materials. 

These compounds can off-gas into the air, contributing to poor indoor air quality and potentially causing health problems for people and pets such as headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation. 

Choosing low-VOC or VOC-free products and ensuring proper ventilation can help mitigate this issue.

No Smoking

Secondhand smoke is a significant indoor air pollutant, containing thousands of chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens. Even if smoking occurs in a different room or area, the harmful particles can circulate through the indoor environment, posing health risks to occupants.

While cigarette smoking indoors has been banned by the city of Chicago and many other municipalities, the odor, residue, and remaining harmful particulate matter can linger for years, especially in older buildings.

Changing air filters regularly, according to manufacturer recommendations, helps trap smoke particles before they circulate throughout your home.

Combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter, can be released into indoor air from malfunctioning or improperly vented fuel-burning appliances, like furnaces, gas stoves, water heaters, and fireplaces. 

Proper maintenance and ventilation of these appliances, as well as the installation of carbon monoxide detectors, are essential for maintaining good indoor air quality.

An Invisible Underground Threat 

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings from the soil below, and it’s the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon levels can vary significantly throughout Chicagoland, so testing your home is crucial.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing all homes for radon, especially if you’re buying or selling. You can purchase a radon test kit from a hardware store or home improvement center, or hire a qualified radon measurement professional.

Radon is measured in units of picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. The EPA’s action level is 4 pCi/L, and there is no known safe level of this odorless gas, so property owners may want to invest in a radon detector.

Agents of Chaos

Indoor air quality can also be negatively affected by biological agents aside from mold spores. These contaminants include dust and dust mites, pet dander, pollen, viruses, sewer gas, and bacteria or pathogens left behind by flood waters, trauma, or hoarding.

Microscopic dust mites are eight-legged creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments. They feed on dead skin flakes shed by humans and pets, and their waste products are a major source of allergens. Dust mites are particularly prevalent in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture.

There are certain steps that homeowners can take to reduce the presence of these pollutants indoors:

• Wash human and pet bedding in hot water (at least 55°C or 130°F) weekly.
• Utilize dust-mite-proof covers on mattresses and pillows.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture regularly, using a HEPA filter if possible.
• Consider replacing carpets with hard floors, especially in bedrooms.
• Invest in air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters. 
• Ensure all drains have P-traps, which act as a water barrier to prevent sewer gases from entering your home.

If you’ve experienced an event that could lead to biological agent contamination in your residence or business, the team at PuroClean of Evanston is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help clear the air and return your life and property to normal as soon as possible.

Breathe easier with our expert and compassionate assistance — call us today!