Dust mites, tobacco smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, dead skin cells, ozone, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide pesticides, solvents, cleaning agents, bacteria, airborne lead, as well as many other allergens.

Dust, people, carpet, plywood and other construction materials, mattresses, furnishings, pillows, blankets, HVAC systems, household cleaning products, aerosols, insecticides, humidity, anything moist, pets, insects and other bugs, food, and cigarette smoke are all common sources for indoor air pollutants

The only way to diagnose indoor air with certainty is through scientific evaluation. The people who occupy the building, however, are also affected by the air inside it, and their physical symptoms can provide several important indications that the indoor may be contaminated. Conditions such as headaches; eye, nose or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty concentrating and fatigue are all indicators that there may be contaminants in the air.

The air pollutants found in industrial buildings varies widely and depend on the type of activities performed. Non-industrial buildings are not likely to be a source of high levels of any indoor air pollutant. These may include: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, biological contaminants such as animal dander, molds and dust mites, volatile organic compounds (cleaning agents, solvents and other), radon , asbestos and heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

There are many sources of indoor air contaminants. Some are brought by the building's occupants. Humans exhale carbon dioxide. New building materials can contribute to the presence of volatile organic chemicals (carpet, wallpaper, glues, particle board, furniture, etc). Radon naturally occurs in the subsoil and may migrate into the building. Lead is ubiquitous, appearing in the dust matrix as a result of previous lead-based gasoline and paint use.

Combustion pollutants often come from appliances that burn fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP), kerosene, oil; coal, charcoal, and wood:

The most effective way to deal with polluted air is to remove or contain the source of the pollution. If that is not possible, the polluted air can be diluted by increasing the fresh air intake from the air handling unit (AHU) in buildings with centralised air-conditioning system, or by regularly opening windows and doors to allow better air circulation. Ozone generators are not required to be licensed in Singapore.

Household cleansers, laundry detergents, air fresheners, aerosols, insecticides, insects, pet hair, dander, contents from litter boxes, cigarette smoke, food, dust (dust mites), people (dead skin, hair, perfume, etc.), carpet, construction materials, just to name a few. The best air purifier we have found, hands down, that reduces the most symptoms people experience with asthma is the IQair HealthPro or the IQair HealthProPlus.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the effect, good or bad, of the contents of the air inside a structure, on its occupants. Usually, temperature (too hot or too cold), humidity (too dry or too damp), and air velocity (draftiness or motionlessness) are considered "comfort" rather than indoor air quality issues. Unless they are extreme, they may make someone unhappy, but they won't make a person ill.

Only about 10% of airborne pollutants are visible to the naked eye. Disease-causing bacteria and germs, toxic fumes from cleaning solvents and pesticides, outgassing from flooring adhesive and furniture and colonies of mold spores, though often undetectable, when airborne, can make their way into your lungs.

Moisture, dust, carpet, plywood, people, pets, insects, and cigarette smoke are among the leading indoor air contaminants.

No building is perfectly sealed and so the air inside ultimately originates outside. Air pollution present in the outdoor environment will therefore enter into the building as well. Generally, pollutants present in the outdoor environment are present at a somewhat lower concentration than outside (probably 10 to 90% in most cases). There are several reasons for this. Some pollutants are absorbed by materials in the building. Others deteriorate or react chemically and so disappear.

The usual clue is that people feel ill while inside the building, and the symptoms go away shortly after leaving the building, or sometimes, when away for the building for a period of time (as on weekends away from work, or a vacation). This doesn't necessarily work in cases of BRI (sections 2.3, 2.4), where it may take medical testing and investigation of the building to determine whether the building is the source of the problem.

Look over this FAQ. Find the material most related to what seems to be going on. In most cases there are suggestions as to things that can checked in to. Some of these can be checked by anyone; others require an expert (medical doctor, HVAC service company, IAQ investigator, etc.).

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home may up five times more polluted than the air outside. For some people, this may mean no more than a runny nose or watery eyes. But, for others, particularly children, seniors and those who suffer from respiratory ailments, the effects may be devastating and long lasting. Reducing the amount of pollutants in the air is the most effective way to improve indoor air quality.

A Canada-wide trading system will be introduced for emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The rules for this trading system will be determined as the regulations are developed. Trading will be restricted in areas that have poor air quality to help maintain a minimum level of local or regional air quality. Canada will pursue linking its domestic sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions trading system with the existing U.S. system.

There are three general categories: Chemical. Particulate. And Microbial. Chemical contaminants usually come from cleaning products and from building materials. Particulate pollutants come from smoke, fibers and dust originating inside the building or brought into it from the outside. Microbial contaminants account for about 85% of the harmful pollutants found inside buildings. They are the bacteria, viruses and spores from fungal colonies growing somewhere in the building.

Gaseous pollutants can be removed from air by means of gas washing (removal of gas by dissolving it in a liquid), by adsorption on a solid or by converting it to other, less damaging gasses. Sometimes certain powders or granule solids can absorb an air pollutant. The air that needs to be purified is directed through an active carbon system or through metal oxides. The gasses can be freed again afterwards, by heating the absorbent.

According to the World Health Organization, as many as one-third of the buildings in the United States may have some form of indoor air pollution which is potentially harmful to people. Since most Americans now spend more than 80% of their time indoors, it is important to be sure that the air they are breathing is not harming them.

Many everyday household items contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric consistently emit gas or fumes. Other sources of pollutants can include, but are not limited to, cleaning agents, paints and personal care products. Also, newer homes that are tightly sealed for energy efficiency tend to limit air circulation, which can contribute to a buildup of contaminants.

The first step toward better indoor air is to identify the types of pollutants present in the home. The best way to do this is to schedule an in-home air-quality test with your local Lennox dealer. Routine cleaning and housekeeping helps reduce indoor air pollutants, but these simple fixes are not cure-alls. Some contaminants are so small that they may escape through the vacuum or never land on a surface.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can be the cause of numerous health problems. Medical groups report that as many as half of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution. Pollutants in your home's air can cause dizziness, headaches and nausea, plus aggravate allergies and asthma. Clean indoor air benefits everyone, even people who have never suffered from allergies.

Toxic air pollutants (or Hazardous Air Pollutants, HAPs) are different from air pollutants. Air toxics are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious heath effects, such as damage to respiratory or nervous systems. Toxic air pollutants may exist as particulate matter or as vapors (gases). Air toxics include metals, particles, and certain vapors from fuels and other sources. To find out more about toxic air pollutants visit the basic facts page.

Pesticides, fertilizers, oil, grease, road salt, solvents, raw sewage, silt and other solid materials are often found in storm water.