Download What is Indoor Air Quality? The Environmental Protection Agency

What is Indoor Air Quality?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines indoor air pollution as chemical, physical or
biological contaminants in the breathable air inside a habitable structure or conveyance, such as in
homes, schools, offices, and vehicles. Sources of indoor air pollution include natural sources, building
materials, products, and occupant activities. Health effects from indoor air pollution range from
immediate to long-term, and treatable to severely debilitating or fatal.
IAQ can be affected by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), gases (including carbon monoxide,
radon, and volatile organic compounds), particulates, or any mass or energy stressor that can induce
adverse health conditions. Indoor air is becoming an increasingly more concerning health hazard than
outdoor air. Using ventilation to dilute contaminants, filtration, and source control are the primary
methods for improving indoor air quality in most buildings.
Determination of IAQ involves the collection of air samples, monitoring human exposure to pollutants,
collection of samples on building surfaces and computer modeling of air flow inside buildings.
Schools may experience problems caused by:
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Biological contaminants (mold, pet dander, pollen, etc.)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Dust Mites
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) or Secondhand Smoke
Lead (Pb)
Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2)
Pesticides
Radon (Rn)
Other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, solvents, and cleaning agents
HVAC System: the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is not able to control
air pollutant levels and/or ensure thermal comfort
To find more information on improving indoor air quality:
Tools for Schools the IAQ Tools for Schools Program is a comprehensive resource to help schools
maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting, and preventing IAQ
problems. This program offers no-cost, low-cost solutions to reducing environmental asthma triggers.
References: The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality, Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov