Airborne Pollutants

In order to remove airborne pollutants from your home, you must first educate yourself on which pollutants cause the most harm, and how these make their way inside to where they can affect you. Some of the most common, and most harmful are listed below:
· Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), commonly referred to as Secondhand Smoke
· Mold, Bacteria, Animal Dander, Pollen
· Dust
· Combustion Products, such as Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide
· Cleaning Agents
· Beauty Products
· Hobby Products
Secondhand smoke has been proven to contribute to cancer, respiratory infections, and Asthma. According to the American Lung Association, "Secondhand smoke is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children under 18 months of age, resulting in between 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations each year, and causes 1,900 to 2,700 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths in the United States annually." 1
In recent years, action has been taken in some states to eliminate Secondhand Smoke in public buildings. For example, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island prohibit smoking in all private workplaces, restaurants, and bars. Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine prohibit smoking in all restaurants and bars. 2 However, this is not the case in all areas, and these smoking bans do not apply to private homes. If there are smokers in your home, this will affect everyone else in the household. It is strongly advisable to eliminate this source of indoor air pollution.
Biological air pollutants, such as mold, bacteria, animal dander, and pollen can also find their way into your home. Mold and mildew can grow in areas with too much moisture buildup. If rooms in your home have higher than 50% humidity, you are at risk. Animal dander is present in your home if you keep indoor pets, such as cats or dogs. The dander is created from the saliva these animals use to clean themselves. Indoor pets are also likely to shed, and airborne fur, hair, and related particles can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Combustion products, such as Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide are colorless and odorless, but pose a health risk if they are allowed to build up in the air. Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide are produced by any activity in the home that involves combustion, such as the use of a gas stove.
Any household cleaning agents, beauty products, or hobby products containing spray chemicals will wind up polluting your indoor air. The effect this has on what you breathe is intensified when these products are used in confined, inadequately ventilated areas in your home.
For more information on the potential pollutants that exist in your home, take the American Lung Association's Clean Air Assessment.