What are the Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants? And How to Remove Them

Soap dish and other shower products

We all want to have clean air, both in the environment at large and in our homes. However, few households have all of the tools they need to remove common indoor air pollutants. And, few people realize that they may be bringing pollutants into their home with furniture and other common household goods. Here’s what you need to know about common indoor air pollutants, and how to remove them. 

Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants 

According to the EPA, there are many sources of air pollution beyond just outdoor air making its way into your home. Some sources of air pollutants and even toxins are from inside of your home. Sources include:   

  • Tobacco smoke 
  • HVAC appliances that burn fuel 
  • Household cleaning and bathing products 
  • Products used for hobbies, such as adhesives and varnishes 
  • Excess moisture 
  • Building materials and furnishes such as: 
  • Insulation that contains asbestos that is disturbed or deteriorating 
  • New furniture, flooring, carpeting, and upholstery 
  • Cabinets and furniture made of pressed wood 

These products and sources of pollution may create these pollutants: 

  • Carbon monoxide 
  • Indoor particulate matter 
  • Asbestos 
  • Volatile Organic Compounds 
  • Lead 
  • Biological pollutants 
  • Nitrogen dioxide 

Ways to Remove Pollutants 

Women taking deep breathe on couch

How do you remove these indoor air pollutants? There are a few different techniques that you can use. 

Ventilation 

For constant sources of pollution, like kitchen stoves and furnaces, proper ventilation is key to keep pollutants moving outside of your home. Some pollutants, such as radon, need special ventilation systems in order to be removed from your home. 

While sometimes targeted ventilation is a good choice, you may also need whole-home ventilation to remove pollutants from your air. Further, the dedicated ventilation systems on your air conditioner, furnace, and more, should be kept in good order. 

Source Control   

If you can remove sources of air pollution from your home, it’s wise to do so. You can get asbestos removed professionally in order to protect yourself and your family from it. You can move hobby products that might cause air pollution into your garage. You can also reduce humidity which helps with mould and other air quality issues it causes by using a dehumidifier. 

Air Purifiers  

One of the best tools to remove air pollutants and contaminants from your home is a HEPA air purifier. Air purifiers can remove over 99% of the small particles from the air, including dander and other allergens. Removing the allergens outright and trapping them in the filter is much more effective than, say, opening a window or turning on a fan. 

Get Help with Air Quality 

Want to explore ways to reduce your allergy symptoms and improve your air quality in your home? Discuss your options with Air Treatment Climate Care today. 

Sources: 

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality 

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-indoor-air-quality 

https://usgreentechnology.com/7-common-indoor-air-pollutants/