indoor air quality
Building atmosphere healthfulness
Indoor air quality is the condition of air inside buildings, especially regarding pollutants, humidity, and ventilation.
Poor indoor air quality results from inadequate airflow, chemical emissions from furniture or cleaning products, mold, or outdoor pollution entering enclosed spaces.
The term appears most often in discussions of health, building codes, and workplace safety: The office renovation improved indoor air quality dramatically.
Colorless pungent preservative gas
- radonRadioactive inert gas
- carbon monoxideToxic combustion byproduct gas
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
- asbestosFibrous fireproofing mineral
nitrogen dioxide · ozone · lead · tobacco smoke · mold spores · dust · PM2.5 · benzene
Microscopic skin-eating arachnids
- pet danderShed skin from animals
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- moldForm-giving container
- sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
antigens · asthma triggers · dander · ragweed · fungal spores · feathers · textile fibers
Indoor climate management
- airflowMovement of atmosphere
- circulationMovement through a system
- ductworkHVAC distribution channels
- exhaust fansDevices expelling stale air
filtration · air exchange · natural ventilation · cross-ventilation · registers · grilles · diffusers · intake vents
Chronic lung inflammation
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- sick building syndromeAilments from poor indoor environments
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
- allergic rhinitisNasal inflammation from allergens
headaches · fatigue · eye irritation · throat irritation · lung disease · COPD · cognitive impairment · nausea
Substances for erecting structures
- carpetingInstalled floor textile
- paintsColored surface liquids
- adhesivesBonding substances
- air freshenersScent-releasing odor eliminators
cooking fumes · gas stoves · fireplaces · printers · solvents · insulation · upholstery · candles
Devices that detect input
- CO detectorsDevices sensing toxic fumes
- radon testingMeasuring indoor radioactive gas levels
- real-time monitoringContinuous observation without delay
- samplingExtracting subset for study
Machine filtering indoor atmosphere
- HEPA filterHigh-efficiency particulate trapper
- activated carbonPorous charcoal for filtration
- ionizerElectrically charges particles
- dehumidifierDevice reducing air moisture
formaldehyde
Colorless pungent preservative gas
- radonRadioactive inert gas
- carbon monoxideToxic combustion byproduct gas
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
asbestos · nitrogen dioxide · ozone · lead · tobacco smoke · mold spores · dust · PM2.5 · benzene · ammonia
dust mites
Microscopic skin-eating arachnids
- pet danderShed skin from animals
- pollenFloral reproductive grains
- moldForm-giving container
spores · antigens · asthma triggers · dander · ragweed · fungal spores · feathers · textile fibers
HVAC
Indoor climate management
- airflowMovement of atmosphere
- circulationMovement through a system
- ductworkHVAC distribution channels
exhaust fans · filtration · air exchange · natural ventilation · cross-ventilation · registers · grilles · diffusers · intake vents · mechanical ventilation
asthma
Chronic lung inflammation
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- sick building syndromeAilments from poor indoor environments
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
allergic rhinitis · headaches · fatigue · eye irritation · throat irritation · lung disease · COPD · cognitive impairment · nausea · dizziness
building materials
Substances for erecting structures
air fresheners · cooking fumes · gas stoves · fireplaces · printers · solvents · insulation · upholstery · candles · incense
sensors
Devices that detect input
- CO detectorsDevices sensing toxic fumes
- radon testingMeasuring indoor radioactive gas levels
- real-time monitoringContinuous observation without delay
sampling · EPA standards · ppm · micrograms · continuous monitoring
air purifier
Machine filtering indoor atmosphere
- HEPA filterHigh-efficiency particulate trapper
- activated carbonPorous charcoal for filtration
- ionizerElectrically charges particles
dehumidifier · humidifier · air cleaner · ventilation fans · exhaust hood
- Environmental Healthair pollution, water pollution, toxic exposure, hazardous waste, emissions
- green schoolssolar panels, recycling bins, green roofs, energy efficiency, natural lighting
- pollution metricsAQI, particulate matter, PM2.5, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide
- toxic hazardstoxic exposure, asbestos, arsenic, neurotoxins, benzene
- HVACair conditioner, furnaces, furnace, ductwork, central air
- air pollutionsmog, air pollution, emissions, air pollutants, pollutants
indoor air qualityindoor air pollution
Airborne contaminants within buildings
sick building syndrome · poor ventilation · off-gassing · airborne contaminants