Indoor Air
Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time inside, and during winter storms, many people warm up with gas heating equipment or fires in fireplaces and woodburning stoves. While it is extremely important to stay warm, please remember that indoor air pollution levels can rise significantly during cold weather events, when homes are closed up and ventilation can be poor. Major pollutants released by gas heating and wood-burning include small particles, which can irritate airways and lung tissue; nitrogen oxide, which can irritate eyes, nose, and throat; and carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly odorless, colorless gas.
Viewer Tip: Poor indoor air quality can be especially troublesome for individuals with heart or lung diseases, including asthma. Prevent pollutants from building up in one room by keeping doors open to other rooms, making sure air can circulate throughout your home. If you are building a fire, be sure that the fireplace damper is open – smoke inside your home is a signal that your fireplace or stove is not working correctly.
Season: Winter
(Source: EPA. “Introduction to Indoor Air Quality: Sources of Combustion Products.” http://www.epa.gov/iaq/combust.html; The American Lung Association. “Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet.” www.ala.org)