Indoor Air Quality: What’s Really in the Air You Breathe at Home
Quick Answer
Poor indoor air quality is most often caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold spores, lead dust, and radon — and together, mold and VOCs account for roughly 80% of indoor air quality problems. The most effective fixes are increasing ventilation, maintaining your HVAC system, testing your air, and reducing VOC sources at the point of purchase, like aerosol sprays, paints, and furniture.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
People spend more time indoors with windows closed during hot and cold months — which means less fresh air circulating and a higher concentration of pollutants building up inside the home. Combined with cold-and-flu or allergy season, when respiratory health is already under strain, indoor air quality becomes a bigger factor in overall wellbeing.
The main indoor air pollutants to know about are:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Mold spores
- Lead dust
- Radon
Each is discussed below, along with what it means for your health and what you can do about it.
What Are VOCs? (Volatile Organic Compounds Explained)
VOCs are toxic gases released by everyday household and workplace materials. Common VOCs include formaldehyde, benzene, plasticizers, and chlorination by-products like chloroform found in treated water.
VOCs are considered “volatile” because they off-gas — meaning they’re released into the air gradually over time — from thousands of ordinary household and office products, including electronics, paint, carpeting, and furniture.
Common Sources of VOCs in Your Home
- New building materials: plywood, particleboard, adhesives, varnishes, paint, carpeting
- Renovations and fresh paint
- New furniture, mattresses, and bedding
- Household cleaners and disinfectants
- Cosmetics and toiletries
- Electronics, such as copiers and printers
- Scented candles and air fresheners
- Composite wood furniture and cabinets
- Vinyl products, like shower curtains or tile
- Mothballs
- Dry cleaning and laundry detergents
- Caulk
- Wood-burning stoves
New building materials are a particularly significant source of formaldehyde specifically — new plywood, particleboard, adhesives, varnishes, paints, and carpeting are frequently cited offenders in home construction and renovation.
How Do VOCs Affect Your Health?
Short-term VOC exposure can cause:
- Throat and eye irritation
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Headaches
Long-term VOC exposure is linked to more serious outcomes, including:
- Cancer
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Central nervous system damage
6 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
1. Ventilate Daily
Open windows for even a few minutes a day to circulate fresh air and dilute indoor pollutant concentrations.
2. Maintain Your HVAC System
Mold and dust accumulate quickly in a poorly maintained HVAC system, spreading pollutants throughout the home and worsening existing air quality issues. Regular maintenance and filter changes are essential.
3. Test Your Indoor Air
Since mold and VOCs cause an estimated 80% of indoor air quality problems, testing is the fastest way to identify the specific source so you can address it directly, rather than guessing.
4. Buy Low-VOC and Low-Formaldehyde Products
When shopping for paint, couches, mattresses, and wood products, look for “low- or no-VOC” or “low-formaldehyde” labeling. This reduces the pollutant load before it ever enters your home.
5. Let New Purchases Off-Gas First
If a new item has a strong chemical or “new” smell, let it off-gas in a garage or outdoor space before bringing it inside.
6. Consider Whole-House Ventilation (For Newer, Air-Tight Homes)
Newer homes are built to be air-tight for energy efficiency, which also means they don’t “breathe” and release built-up toxins on their own. A whole-house ventilation system can help, though it’s a bigger investment and isn’t the right fit for every home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of indoor air quality problems are caused by mold and VOCs? Mold and VOCs together are responsible for approximately 80% of indoor air quality issues in homes.
What is the fastest way to improve indoor air quality? Opening windows for even a few minutes a day, along with routine HVAC maintenance, are the two fastest, lowest-cost ways to improve indoor air quality.
Are VOCs dangerous long-term? Yes. While short-term VOC exposure typically causes irritation, headaches, and fatigue, long-term exposure is linked to cancer and damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
How do I know if my home has an indoor air quality problem? Professional indoor air quality testing is the most reliable way to confirm a problem and identify its specific source, since many pollutants like VOCs and mold aren’t visible or immediately obvious.
Do air-tight, newer homes have worse indoor air quality? They can, if not properly ventilated. Energy-efficient, air-tight construction traps pollutants indoors rather than letting them escape naturally, which is why whole-house ventilation systems are sometimes recommended for newer homes.
Get Your Indoor Air Tested
If you suspect an indoor air quality issue in your home, testing is the only way to know for certain what you’re dealing with and how to fix it. Contact RTK Environmental at (800) 392.6468 today to learn about your options.
