Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the nature of contamination, its sources, fate, impacts, and removal in buildings. It relates to all buildings, including homes, schools, daycare centers, offices, restaurants, hospitals, and more. The environmental quality of building interiors is critical to the health of all Americans, since the U.S. population spends approximately 18 hours inside of buildings for every one hour it spends outdoors1. Those most susceptible to environmental contaminants, including infants, the elderly and the chronically ill, spend even more time indoors. Importantly, studies have found building environments to be more contaminated with toxic pollution than the outdoor environment2. Scientific assessments even suggest that cancer risks from indoor pollution outweigh those associated with the more heavily regulated outdoor environment3.
Indoor contamination is generally found in two locations: in the air and on surfaces.
Whether in the air or on surfaces, indoor contamination is a serious risk to building occupants. There are many simple means for reducing the contamination of buildings. A great start is for you to become educated on specific pollutants and their sources in buildings. Methods to reduce such risks depend largely on the nature of the contaminant, its sources, and its location (air or surfaces). The best way to reduce risks is to become knowledgeable of the sources of contaminants and to avoid those sources altogether. If this is not possible, then proper ventilation is important, especially during short-term events that generate airborne contamination, e.g., cooking and vacuuming. Certain indoor air purifiers are also effective at removing specific types of indoor air pollutants, particularly airborne particles. However, some air purifiers are relatively ineffective and may even generate harmful pollutants such as ozone.4 Consumers are advised to beware of false claims, and to do their homework before purchasing an air purifier for their home, classroom, or office. It is important to keep surfaces clean by vacuuming, dusting, wiping, and mopping. However, it is also important to realize that such activities can generate pollutants which are emitted from cleaning agents or re-suspended (kicked up) by the action of cleaning.5 Risks associated with these activities can be reduced by proper use of ventilation (opening windows, etc.) while vacuuming, using damp cloths instead of dry dusters to improve the uptake of pollutants during surface cleaning, using door mats near entrances, and by removing shoes before entering a home.
This website provides valuable information that will hopefully allow you to become a better steward of your own indoor environments. For more information, you can also visit: