Top 10 Indoor Air Pollutants

Here are the 10 most common indoor air pollutants which can affect indoor air pollution and the health of household members in just about any home, apartment, condominium or other living structure throughout most of the world.  Here are some indoor air pollution facts listed in  no specific order.

What are the Top 3?

Without a doubt, mold is at the top of the list and can be found in just about any housing structure according to moisture events such as high humidity, roofing leaks and plumbing leaks. It is also found in common places such as bathrooms where the humidity levels can remain high.

Bacteria is clearly found in second place, however most persons do not realize that this common indoor pollutant may be the cause of their health problems. Bacteria is the most prevalent and fastest growing indoor pollutant on earth. For example, bacteria can multiply by the hundreds every hour in a vacuum cleaner bag under certain conditions such as darkness and humidity.

And bacteria, just like mold is usually an unseen pollutant which can lead to a host of ongoing upper respiratory symptoms ranging from allergies, asthma, coughing and even pneumonia.

Third place is commonly argued by environmental researchers and may be a tie between pesticides and household chemicals. Unfortunately, pesticides are commonly used indoors without the realization that these strong chemicals are designed as "poisons". They are intended to kill and can cause mild to severe illnesses in humans and pets with long-term exposure.

Common household chemicals are believed to contain thousands of compounds which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.). And similar to pesticides, these compounds can have a acute or ongoing health effect on humans with long-term exposures.

We have always cautioned our clients to carefully consider all chemicals and pesticides they use in the indoor environment. Fortunately, there are safer eco-friendly alternatives available. However, under all circumstances, minimal use is recommended.

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