Common Sources Of Indoor Environment Pollution

The US EPA recognizes that indoor air pollution can be 10 to 100 times as polluted as outdoor air, even when compared to a smoggy Los Angeles day.

Where does this pollution come from? From many sources including, but not exclusive to:

Outdoor air:

• pollen
• dust
• fungal spores
• industrial emissions
• vehicle emissions (busses, loading docks, exhausts near outdoor air intakes, furnace stack emissions)
• pesticides
• roofing tars
• sewer gas

hazardous materials:

• lead
• asbestos
• pcbs
• ozone

furnishings:

• chemical emissions from new furniture
• particle board, plastics, room dividers, curtains, ceiling tiles…
• Microbial growth on furnishings and carpets

ventilation system:

• dust, mould, or debris in ductwork, coils, humidifiers, drip pans, etc.
• Improper venting of combustion products
• low air delivery rates
• no hvac present
• turning off hvacs after hours

underground sources:

• radon
• underground fuel tank leaks

chemical off-gassing:

• building materials: insulation, caulking, paints, varnishes, glues
• art and science labs, technical/vocational areas, cooking labs.
• Office supplies; felt markers, whiteout, inks, laminators, photocopiers, printers
• fire retardants
• scented personal products
• smoking lounges
• cleaning agents, waxes and floor strippers
• air fresheners
• perfumes
• aerosol sprays
• combustion gasses from furnaces, stoves, etc.
• Flooring: carpets, soft vinyl tile and glues

other:

• lighting
• thermal comfort
• humidity
• acoustics: noise pollution
• electromagnetic fields
• infrequent or inadequate cleaning