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.

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.

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.).

Modern homes are sealed tightly for energy efficiency. Energy efficient homes are good for your electric bill, but bad for your allergies. Those tight seals trap all kinds of contaminants in your home: pollen that blows in when a door or window is opened, cat dander that hitches a ride on clothing, or chemicals and irritants released by cleaners and perfumes.

Wildland fires occur naturally and are one of the many natural sources of particulate matter (tiny particles such as dust, soot, etc.) Particulate matter is the main pollutant of concern from smoke because it can cause serious health problems. Smoke can also adversely affect the clarity (visual range) of our air. Wildland fire is also part of the natural ecological process of many ecosystems.

Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. In many cases, source control is also a more cost-efficient approach to protecting indoor air quality than increasing ventilation because increasing ventilation can increase energy costs.

The subject of indoor air pollution is not without some controversy. Indoor air quality is an evolving issue; it is important to keep informed about continuing developments in this area. the following questions may be asked of physicians and other health professionals.

Indoor Air pollution consists of any types of airborne particulates or organic compounds that may be hazardous to the health of both humans and/or pets. Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.

IAQ problems are commonly related to ventilation, and air contamination from chemicals, dust, and fibers.

Although they were originally developed as farm dogs, they do best when housed indoors and treated as one of the family. These are people dogs and will always want to be where the family is. They will not do as well in outside kenneling situations. Most Kerry owners will admit that their Kerry sleeps on their bed.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) the nation's worst environmental health problem, even worse than outdoor air pollution. A significant increase in asthma and hay fever corresponds to an increased level of allergens and irritants in our homes and offices as a result of poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

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. 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.

Today’s homes are sealed tight to shelter us efficiently from the heat or cold and this results in low circulation of air and infrequent changes. Our indoor air contains minute particles such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen and mold spores that can cause health isues such as asthma, allergies and other respiratory difficulties. To add to this, many of today's cleaning products, furniture, carpets and building materials release chemicals, which are hazardous to health.

Indoor air can be as much as 100 times more polluted than outside air. These pollutants pose serious environmental exposures to people. Studies by the EPA and other researchers have found that VOCs are common in the indoor environment and that their levels may be ten to thousands of times higher indoors than found in the outdoor air. There may be anywhere from 50 up to hundreds of individual VOCs in an indoor air sample.