Many of the most common types of indoor air pollutants can be categorized as either biological or chemical in nature.
Biological pollutants are a living thing or were at least produced by one. The most common biological indoor pollutants include the following agents:
- molds and mildew;
- pollen;
- house dust mites;
- cockroaches;
- animal dander, saliva, and urine; and
- viruses and bacteria.
Contaminated HVAC systems may serve as a catalyst for biological indoor pollutants. It provides prime breeding conditions for mold, mildew, fungus, and other sources of biological indoor pollutants. Additionally, HVAC systems inevitably distribute pollutants through a property.
There are also chemical pollutants in indoor air. The most common chemical pollutants include the following agents:
- radon;
- carbon monoxide
- ozone;
- environmental tobacco (ETS) or secondhand smoke;
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs);
- pesticides;
- nitrogen dioxide;
- formaldehyde;
- asbestos;
- lead; and
- arsenic.
Many indoor environments have several different types of pollutants present that contribute to overall poor indoor air quality. The relative importance of any single type of pollution depends on emission and exposure levels and how hazardous the particular pollutant is. There are severe health risks associated with indoor air pollution, but there are steps that most people can take to pinpoint problems. It all starts with contacting an IAC2 Certified Consultant to discuss your particular concerns. IAC2 Certified Consultants are trained in the areas of indoor air quality and can help you preserve a healthy indoor environment.