Indoor air quality refers to the air in a specific indoor location, such as a home or office. Indoor air quality is often affected by items that we have or use inside, such as:
- Gases released by synthetic carpets
- Indoor paints
- Household cleaners
- Mold and mildew
- Pests and pesticides
- Household and office products made from plastics and vinyl
Indoor air pollution can pose a greater risk to health because we spend extended periods of time indoors breathing the same air day in and day out. Unlike ambient (outdoor) air pollution, which disperses because it is constantly being blown around by the wind, indoor air is usually stagnant and trapped by walls and windows.