Ask people about the biggest threats to their health, and indoor air quality likely won’t make the list. In fact, according to Consumer Reports National Research Center, only 9 percent of Americans consider indoor air quality a threat to their health. This same survey found that 70 percent of Americans aren’t concerned at all about their indoor air quality. What many people don’t consider, however, is that many of the things that they do, or don’t do can add to a potentially dangerous combination of airborne contaminants in their homes that can trigger or worsen asthma, allergies and contribute to the risk of other health conditions.

What Are the Risks?

The risks associated with poor indoor air quality can vary greatly, depending on the kind of pollutant you have in your home. The following are some common invisible contaminants that may affect your indoor air quality:

Invisible Killers: Carbon Monoxide and Radon

Consumer Reports explains that carbon monoxide and radon are colorless, odorless and deadly. Carbon monoxide can accumulate in a home because of faulty gas ranges, cooktops and furnaces, as well as wood, kerosene and propane heaters. Those who use gas generators are also at risk for carbon monoxide contamination if used in a garage or near open windows.

Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer among non-smokers. This gas escapes from rocks, soil or water beneath your house and can collect at unsafe levels. And because radon levels can vary from house to house, the only way to recognize a problem is to test your individual property.


What’s the Fix?

It’s important to have your heating systems and fuel-burning appliances tested annually to make sure they are in proper working order. Install carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your house, including the basement, and replace your alarm no more than every five years. You can purchase an inexpensive radon test online to check your home and invest in a treatment if radon levels are high.

Biological Pollutants

Homes with pets may accumulate unhealthy amounts of pet dander that can aggravate allergies and may be host to cockroaches or dust mites. Cockroaches in particular release antigens that are aggravating to asthma sufferers, and they carry disease-causing germs that can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses.

More significant, however, is that the presence of certain types of mold in your home may become a health hazard. Mold spores, which are present in nearly every climate, can invade the home by attaching to wet surfaces (just like mold develops in showers). In homes that have water leaks in walls, leaky roofs or behind sheet rock in damp basements, molds can take hold and spread, largely unnoticed, until they become a health problem. They can cause or aggravate allergies, as well as lead to respiratory problems from long-term exposure.

What’s the Fix?

If your home has significant water damage, such as after a natural disaster or if mold has spread to an area that covers more than 10 square feet, you may want to hire a contractor to help eliminate mold. For small areas, carefully scrub mold off of surfaces and consider purchasing special sprays or paints that can kill and prevent future mold growth.

Keeping your home clean, allowing the home to air out and using hypoallergenic liners for mattresses and pillows can ease or eliminate issues with pet dander and dust mites. To manage cockroach infestations, take steps to clean off areas where food particles may linger, store food in tightly sealed containers and invest in roach traps and/or boric acid to avoid further contaminating the air with foggers and other pesticides.

Unhealthy Remodeling Byproducts

If you live in an older home and are thinking of giving it a facelift or if you have to undertake any repairs, you never know what you’ll uncover when the renovations begin. Many old homes are constructed with materials that are no longer used because of risks of their use. By remodeling an older home, you are likely to encounter substances such as asbestos, lead paint or dust, trapped or hidden mold or mildew, and formaldehyde. While these products may not present a problem when undisturbed, they can disperse fibers and chemicals into the air when displaced. The laundry list of health problems associated with these outdated and outlawed building materials is extensive and includes lung cancer, lead poisoning, central nervous system problems, liver and kidney damage, and mesothelioma.

What’s the Fix?

If you are planning a home remodel, check whenever possible to see if your home contains asbestos or any other harmful substances that will be displaced during construction or renovation and familiarize yourself with safe removal practices. If you uncover a mold or mildew problem during renovation, it’s essential to deal with that issue. When painting, follow guidelines on product labels because paints, stains, varnishes and thinners can release harmful chemicals into the air. During and after your project, thoroughly air out the home and consider relocating young children and household members with allergies or asthma away from the home until the project is complete to minimize their risk of exposure.

Air Fresheners, Candles and Incense

Air fresheners, candles, incense and other scented products are marketed to consumers who want their homes to smell fresh, clean, soothing and inviting, but many contain volatile compounds that are bad for our health. Many air fresheners contain phthalates, compounds that have been linked to various types of cancer and reproductive issues. Burning candles and incense also releases soot and other particles into the air, which can cause problems for asthmatics and people with allergies.

What’s the Fix?

If someone in your household has serious allergies or asthma, avoid using these products in the home. Natural alternatives, such as simmering spices like cinnamon or vanilla in a pot in the kitchen can produce the same effect without the risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals. If you regularly use these products, even if no one in the household has allergies, it is still wise to air out the home regularly to improve air quality.