Healthy Indoor Air
Research suggests that air inside homes and buildings can be more polluted than air outside, especially when poor ventilation allows pollutants to accumulate indoors. And, while everyone can be affected by indoor air pollution, people who are exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods of time are often the most susceptible to health problems – the elderly, chronically ill (especially those with heart or respiratory diseases), and young children. Exposure to indoor air pollutants can result in immediate health impacts, such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, and dizziness, as well as long-term health problems such as respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer.
Viewer Tip: As weather gets colder, we spend more time inside. Luckily, there are simple precautions you can take at home to reduce indoor air pollution from a variety of sources and protect your health.
- Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms – these fans help to eliminate moisture that can result in mold build-up indoors. Molds can cause respiratory irritation or infection in some individuals.
- Provide good ventilation during short-term activities that create indoor pollutants, such as painting, paint stripping, sanding, or using strong cleaners or chemicals. Open a window, operate a window or attic fan, or perform the activity outside if weather permits.
- Use exhaust fans over gas cooking ranges/stoves, and make sure burners are properly adjusted. A persistent yellow-tipped flame can mean your burner needs to be adjusted to reduce pollutant emissions.
- Have your chimney and flue checked every year and make repairs as needed. Leaking, blocked, or otherwise damaged chimneys/flues can release harmful gases and small particles into your home.
Learn more about indoor air quality and precautions to protect your health from EPA’s “The Inside Story: A Guide to to Indoor Air Quality” – www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html.
Learn more about weather and health in the new COMET-NEEF online course “Weather and Health” – www.meted.ucar.edu/broadcastmet/wxrx/ (free registration required).
Season: Winter
(Sources: US EPA. Office of Air, Indoor Air Quality. “The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor AIr Quality.” www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html)