Indoor Pollution

Some of the more prevalent indoor air contaminants and their associated health problems include:

Asbestos – (found in spray insulation, pipewrapping) chest and abdominal cancers and lung disease.

Carbon monoxide – (appliances using oil, gas,kerosene, coal, or wood) – fatigue, headaches, nausea, fatal at high concentrations.

Dust mites and animal dander – eye, nose, and throat irritation, asthma.

Formaldehyde – (particleboard, carpet, insulation, and commonly used glues) – eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, may cause cancer.

Lead Paint – learning and behavioral problems, impaired hearing.

Mold and mildew – (wet or damp carpet or other materials, central air systems and humidifiers) – eye, nose, and throat irritation,lethargy, digestive problems, asthma, influenza and other infections diseases.

Pesticides – eye, nose, and throat irritation, damage to central nervous system and kidney.

Radon Gas – lung and stomach cancer. Click on radon page for more information.

Tobacco smoke – eye, nose, and throat irritation, lung cancer, and increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections in children.

Volatile Organic Compounds – (consumer products, glues, whiteout, paints, deodorizers, cleansers, adhesives, drycleaners in buildings, mothballs, disinfectants, synthetic building materials and furnishings)- cancer, eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, lethargy.

Visit our Resource page for helpful links about this topic >

Scroll to Top