What's Really in your home's air?
Allergens
Sources:
Furry pets, dust mites
consequences:
- Asthma
- Reduced lung function
- Cough
Carbon Monoxide
Sources:
Vehicle exhaust from attached garages, gas stoves, furnaces, woodstoves, fireplaces & cigarettes
consequences:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Sources:
Cigarette smoke, recently dry-cleaned cloths, room deodorizers, paints, carpets
consequences:
- Bronchial hyper-reactivity
- Asthma
Smoke
Sources:
Tobacco smoke, vaping, incense, wildfires
consequences:
- Premature mortality
- Lung cancer
- Coronary artery disease
- Respiratory illness
Endotoxins
Sources:
Presence of cats and dogs, contaminated humidifiers, storage of food waste, lower ventilation rate, increased amount of settled dust
consequences:
- Asthma
- Reduced lung function
Mold Spores
Sources:
Unattended plumbing leaks, leaks in building fabric, hidden food spills,
consequences:
- Upper respiratory symptoms
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Asthma
Formaldehyde
Sources:
Wood-based products assembled using urea-formaldehyde resins, cigarette smoke, paints, varnishes, floor finishes
consequences:
- Eye, nose, throat irritation
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
Plastic Compounds
Sources:
Polyvinyl chloride for flooring, plastic wall material
consequences:
- Bronchial obstruction
- Asthma
- Wheezing
- Cough
- Phlegm
Coal & Biomass Fuels
Sources:
Cooking and heating
consequences:
- Childhood asthma
- Lung cancer
- Combustion of CO, N2O & particulate releases
Nitrogen Dioxide
Sources:
Combustion of fossil fuels e.g., gas or oil furnaces and stoves
consequences:
- Increased risk of respiratory symptoms
Pesticides
Sources:
Contaminated soil, stored pesticide containers
consequences:
- Eye irritation
- Nose irritation
- Throat irritation
- Central nervous system damage
Radon
Sources:
Natural decay of uranium
consequences:
- Upper respiratory symptoms
- Cough
Ultra-fine Particles
Sources:
Cooking, combustion activities
consequences:
- Serious impact on heart & lungs
