Indoor air pollution is from equipment or items in your home that release gases and particles into your home. Inadequate ventilation will exacerbate the problem by not bringing in enough outdoor air to help dilute the flush out the pollutants from your home. Additionally high temperatures or high levels of humidity can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. The following is a list of common indoor air pollutants and their sources.

• Asbestos - Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has commonly been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. It is commonly found in older homes with older building materials, but can still be found in new products, although it has been banned in several products. You may find asbestos material in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles. Asbestos fibers are small and can become lodged in your lungs, possibly causing cancer and other fatal diseases. If you find asbestos in your home, leave undamaged materials alone - do not rip or damage them because they may release the fibers. It is best to hire a specially trained contractor to take care of the removal.
• Biological Contaminants - Biological contaminants include bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen. These pollutants originate from organic matter, humans, pets and pests. Issues arising from biological contaminants include allergies, asthma, viruses, influenza and other infectious illnesses. Controlling the humidity in your home is a key action to minimizing the growth of these contaminants. Eliminate standing water, anything that is water damaged and exhaust or ventilate your home properly.
• Carbon Monoxide - Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. At high concentrations it can cause unconsciousness and death. Lower concentrations can cause a range of symptoms from headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, and disorientation, to fatigue in healthy people and episodes of increased chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. The source of CO poisoning is usually a stove, oven, fireplace or another combustion source that is not properly venting or efficiently burning the fuel. Proper venting and diligent maintenance of combustion sources is necessary to reduce exposure. The most likely time for CO poisoning is in the fall or early winter when heating systems are turned on again.
• Formaldehyde - Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, smoking, household products, and the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. Pressed wood, like particleboard, paneling, or fiberboard, is the most common source of formaldehyde in homes. Formaldehyde causes allergies and in high concentrations asthma and may cause cancer. Avoid products that contain formaldehyde.
• Household Products - Household products or organic chemicals are used widely in the house and come in various forms like cleaners, disinfectants, paints, varnishes, solvents, hobby products, and more. They all release volatile organic chemicals or VOCs, which can be harmful and cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment. Limit exposure to these products, properly ventilate and choose healthier options with low VOCs.
• Lead - Lead is a very harmful pollutant that can cause problems in every system of the body. Humans are exposed to lead through air, drinking water, food, contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, and dust. Airborne lead enters the body when an individual breathes or swallows lead particles or dust once it has settled. Before it was known how harmful lead could be, it was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes, and many other products. At high levels of exposure it can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can adversely affect the brain, central nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys. Have your water tested, avoid bringing it into your home if you work around lead and do not remove lead paint yourself.
• Pesticides - Pesticides are commonly found in homes and at least 75% of households have at least one pesticide in their home, usually an insecticide or disinfectant. Contaminated soil or dust tracked in is also another cause. Exposure, especially in high concentrations, can cause any number of problems, including headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, weakness, tingling sensations, nausea, damage to the liver, central nervous system and even cancer. Read labels, follow directions explicitly, ventilate during use and keep pesticides away from children's reach. It better to limit the use of pesticides completely, not only can they cause problems indoors, but they can also leach into the environment.
• Tobacco Smoke - Tobacco smoke whether directly from smoking tobacco products or breathing the air indirectly is a harmful pollutant. It is a complex mixture of over 4,000 compounds, more than 40 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals and many of which are strong irritants. The simple solution is to not smoke or let others smoke around you or your family.
• Radon - Radon gas is released when uranium, found in the soil or rock on which homes are built, breaks down. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that enters homes through dirt floors, cracks in concrete walls and floors, floor drains, and sumps and can become trapped indoors if not properly ventilated. Exposure to radon can potentially cause lung cancer, among other problems. Any home may have this problem, so it is wise to have your home tested. Learn more about testing your home and reducing exposure to radon at the Utah Division of Radiation Control.