- Gases. Formaldehyde from building products can irritate your eyes, nose, throat or skin and allergies. Radon can seep through soil into foundations.
- Mold. Inhaling or touching mold can cause respiratory irritation, allergic reactions or asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Certain types of household cleaners, floor polish and paint produce VOCs that irritate lungs and can cause cancer. Fumes from an idling car inside an attached garage can infiltrate your home. The chemicals in mothballs and—ironically—some air fresheners carry health risks too.
- Combustion. Tobacco contains 50 substances that cause cancer, respiratory infections and heart disease. Using a wood-burning fireplace in an airtight home also spells respiratory trouble. Carbon monoxide can leak from a faulty furnace, water heater or stove vents.
To improve the air quality in your home and protect your health:
- Eliminate sources. Stop smoking (or take it outdoors). Check for radon and defend yourself against carbon monoxide. If you have a fireplace or a wood-burning stove, be sure to operate it safely and maintain it properly.
- Improve ventilation. Vent humid bathroom and kitchen air directly outdoors. Add a heat exchanger to increase ventilation without wasting heating and cooling dollars.
- Dry out. Promptly repair plumbing leaks and any resulting water damage. Check that rain and melting snow flow away from your house, and seal openings where mold-loving moisture can infiltrate siding. High humidity increases the likelihood of mold. Keep the indoor humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. Use a moisture or humidity gauge to check it.
- Clean the air. Replace your furnace filter regularly. Portable air cleaning devices may help reduce the levels of indoor air pollutants, but they may not decrease the adverse health effects, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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