Health Effects of Indoor Pollutants

This page last reviewed August 29, 2011

Indoor air pollution consists of toxic gases or particles that can harm your health. Indoor sources of toxic gases or particles can lead to indoor levels much higher than those found outdoors. A partial list of indoor air pollutant sources includes pressed wood products, aerosol sprays, solvents, cleaning agents, moth balls, unvented or malfunctioning gas appliances, cigarettes, and wood stoves. Because there are many indoor sources of pollutants, and because people spend most of their time indoors, indoor exposures can be high and pose a significant risk to health. People may react differently to air pollutants, depending on factors such as age, preexisting medical conditions, and individual sensitivity. Immediate effects can include headache, nausea, asthma symptoms, irritation to the respiratory system or skin, fatigue, and dizziness. Long-Term exposure may cause cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease. Specific indoor pollutants, their sources and their potential health effects are shown in the linked table.