Research has shown that the quality of indoor air can be worse than that of outdoor air. Many homes are built or remodeled more tightly, without regard to the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air. Where do indoor pollutants come from? Here are just a few examples:


  • High levels of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide can result from cooking without a properly vented range hood, especially if the kitchen has a gas range. If your kitchen uses a over-the-counter microwave oven, most likely it only recirculates the air instead of exhausting it outdoors.
  • Household products, such as paints, solvents, air fresheners, aerosol sprays, nail polish, perfumes and bathroom cleaners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.
  • Mold and/or mildew in basements. Mold is everywhere and if the home has high humidity, mold thrives in moist environments. Just breathing takes oxygen and exchanges it for carbon dioxide.


Unless the home was built with a special mechanical means of ventilation, homes that are designed and constructed to minimize heat loss may trap more pollutants than older homes. Pollutants can build up in homes to an unhealthy level and the occupants never now it. What can homeowners do to improve the air quality in their homes? Here are a few suggestions to help:


  • Check your kitchen and make sure the range hood exhaust fan is vented outdoors and not just recirculate through a metal screen.
  • Keep the humidity in the home below 50%, especially in basements. Basements need a dehumidifier running in warm months just to maintain humidity below the 50% threshold.
  • Open windows when painting and use low VOC paints. Also, when working on hobbies that need paints, adhesives and other chemicals.
  • Run exhaust fans and/or open windows when using cleaning products, the bathroom or kitchen.
  • Select odor-free or low odor-producing products. Select non-aerosol varieties. Open a window or use an exhaust fan. Follow manufacturers’ directions when using the product and disposing of containers promptly.
  • If your homes has a mechanical ventilation system integrated with the heating & A/C, make sure it runs daily just to exchange air with the outdoors.