Indoor Air Pollution

Written by Karen Bates (last updated September 4, 2023)

When you hear about air pollution, you are likely to think of outdoor air contaminants. But what many of us don't consider is the air quality inside. In reality, the air we breathe indoors can contain pollutants that may cause allergies and health problems.

Not all homes suffer from air pollution, but if you suspect the air you are breathing indoors isn't as clean as it could be, it could be time to take steps toward removing unwanted air particles. If you or someone in your home notice allergy flare-ups, asthma, headaches, or other problems, you may need to see if poor air quality is a cause.

You can treat, prevent, or eliminate certain contaminants in your home. There are a few things to know when it comes to indoor air pollution and helping to reduce it:

  • Indoor air pollution can come from various sources. These include gases, smoke (from smoking, candles, and cooking), mold, pet dander, asbestos, products you use in your home (such as cleaning products), and pesticides.
  • If you have a problem with indoor air pollution, people in your household may experience symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, asthma flare-ups, fatigue, itchy nose and throat, and headaches, to name a few. Although these could be symptoms of something else, they can be a giveaway that something is going on with indoor air pollution. Observe any occurrences of these problems in your home, and if they seem related to air quality you may need to do something to fix the issue.
  • One possible way to reduce indoor air pollution is to find and remove the source. You may need a professional to help with this. Watch out for mold, poor ventilation in your home, dirty air ducts, or any other evidence of a pollutant source. Some may be an easy fix, while others might be very serious and dangerous to deal with on your own.
  • You can start using an air cleaner or purifier indoors. These can work to remove and capture any unwanted particles in the air, releasing only clean air back into your home. These can be somewhat expensive, but can work well in certain situations.

It is important to your health that you take care of any air pollution problems in your home. Try to locate the source of the issue, then work on ways to fix the problem so you can breathe easier.

Author Bio

Karen Bates

An English student who enjoys writing and art, Karen has had her poetry published in her university's literary journal and has several novels in the works. ...

MORE FROM KAREN

Organizing Family Schedules

Families can have pretty busy schedules, and keeping track of family members can be challenging sometimes. By ...

Discover More

Using Patios and Terraces in Garden Design

We don't all have big yards where we can plant a garden. But even if you live in a smaller space, you can still create a ...

Discover More

Clean a Shotgun

A clean shotgun will work better and be safer to use than one that is rarely or never maintained. Keep your weapon clean ...

Discover More

Tough Cleaning Jobs Require Brawny! Brawny paper towels provide the versatility you need: the strength for demanding jobs and the softness to clean up your child's messy face. This 24-roll pack of pick-a-size sheets can handle just about every cleaning task in your home. Check out Brawny 24-Pack Giant Paper Towels today!

More Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Air Conditioning Equipment

Cleaning your air conditioning equipment can help to keep you cooler and save you money. Read more for tips on how to do ...

Discover More

Air Freshener Dispenser

Dispensing a fresh scent into the air can make any area more pleasant. Dispensers can help keep a room smelling great and ...

Discover More

Duct Cleaners

The air ducts in your home can be easily overlooked. These areas, however, can collect dust and allergens and should be ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four less than 4?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.