Indoor Pollutants

Just as pollution occurs in the environment, it also takes place indoors. It can occur anywhere, from homes and apartment buildings to schools and businesses. The U.S. S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that a condition known as Sick Building Syndrome is largely caused by a long list of indoor pollutants. The first step in eliminating these pollutants is identifying them.

Mold

• Mold, bacteria and pollen are indoor biological contaminants. According to the EPA, these pollutants can breed in stagnant water found in humidifiers, drain pans, ducts, ceiling tiles and even in carpets and wall insulation material. Mold contamination is especially common in schools with inadequate maintenance due to budget cuts or other financial shortfalls.

Carbon Monoxide Gas

• Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic, orderless and tasteless gas that can be fatal when breathed in by humans and animals. CO can be emitted into the home from a gas stove or heating instrument. The Department of Nutrition and Environmental Toxicology of the University of Nevada issued a report that indoor CO poisoning is the cause of more than 50 percent of indoor air poisonings in most countries.

Cleaning Supplies

• The World Watch Institute in Washington D.C. reports that household cleaning products like dishwashing soap, wood and furniture polish, as well as laundry detergents, may contain bleach and other harmful contaminants. These can infect a water supply if poured down a drain. Using these products may also be bothersome for the eyes, nose and lungs. Some can be deadly if accidentally ingested, especially by young children.

Asbestos

• Asbestos is a mineral fiber commonly found in the paint and floor tiles of older homes. It's also used for home insulation and as a fire retardant. When structures containing asbestos (such as tiles) are removed, the process can cause the asbestos fibers and debris to contaminate the air and your lungs, possibly resulting in cancer.

Building Materials

• According to the EPA, indoor building materials such as manufactured wood products, carpeting and upholstery may excrete a harmful substance known as formaldehyde. A colorless, poisonous gas, formaldehyde can irritate the skin, ears, eyes, nose and throat. People subjected to larger amounts may develop certain cancers.

Tobacco Smoke

• Cigarette smoke is likely the most easily recognized form of all indoor pollutants. You probably already know that smoking is bad for your health, but it may come as a surprise to learn that second-hand smoke is almost as dangerous as actually smoking. According to the EPA, even a low exposure to the carcinogens found in tobacco smoke can cause the onset of chronic diseases in "second-hand smokers." In the United States, approximately 46,000 people die each year from heart disease as a result of second-hand smoke.