Tobacco Smoke #
Environmental tobacco smoke, also known as second-hand smoke, is a dangerous indoor air pollutant that contains hundreds of chemicals. Many of these are carcinogenic and can affect a person’s health. Lung cancer is one of the most common health problems caused by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. It can also contribute to other conditions such as asthma and ear infections.
Thirdhand smoke refers to the residual tobacco smoke and related toxins that remain on surfaces and in dust long after smoking has stopped. This includes the chemicals and particles that are released into the air from burning cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products, as well as the toxic compounds that are left behind on surfaces and in dust. Thirdhand smoke can cling to clothing, furniture, carpets, walls, and other surfaces, and can remain for days, weeks, or even months after smoking has occurred. When these surfaces are disturbed, such as by vacuuming or dusting, the smoke and toxins can be re-released into the air, where they can be inhaled or ingested by people in the environment.
For more information, see the EPA website “Secondhand Smoke and Smoke-free Homes“
Mold #
Mold is a fungus that grows in moist conditions and is common in buildings. Mold is common in areas with high humidity (i.e., moisture), like bathrooms and basements. It can also appear in dark corners. Once it’s present, the mold will start to spread throughout the building if left alone. Mold puts spores into the air that cause health problems. Fixing leaks and getting proper air flow to moldy areas will reduce mold growth
Pet Dander #
Many animals shed skin and fur. This is one of the most common indoor air pollutants. It has many harmful effects on indoor air quality. Pet dander triggers allergic reactions in people. What’s more, pet dander can linger in the air for an long time. This is because pet allergens are microscopic and jagged, which means that they stick to various objects. People with allergies should avoid contact with pets in order to prevent them from triggering their symptoms. In addition, pet dander can trigger respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma. About three out of 10 people who have allergies are also sensitive to pet dander.
Read more about this at EPA’s “Biological Pollutants’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality” page.
Cockroaches #
The droppings, body parts, and saliva of cockroaches can trigger asthma. Special attention to cleaning must be a priority after ridding the building of cockroaches to get rid of the presence of any allergens left that can be asthma triggers.
Read more about this at EPA’s “Biological Pollutants’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality” page.
Dust Mites #
A number of mite species can cause allergies. Humid buildings have more mites, so they have more allergens. Mite poop collects in home fabrics and could become airborne when people vacuum and dust.
Dust mites thrive in buildings with high relative humidity (70% to 80% instead of the recommended 30% to 50%) and temperatures of 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C). Most mites are found in bedding, where they spend up to a third of their lives. A typical used mattress may have from 100,000 to 10 million mites in it. In addition, carpeted floors, especially long, loose pile carpet, provide a great home for them. Here food and moisture gather and it’s harder to vacuum the mites up.
The house dust mite’s favorite food is human dander (skin flakes), which are shed at a rate of approximately 0.20 ounces per week. Assuming mites are present, if people with asthma are present in the building, do as many of the following as possible:
- Use synthetic pillows, rather than feather or down.
- Use an approved allergen barrier to enclose the top and sides of mattresses and pillows and the base of the bed.
- Use a damp cloth to dust the plastic mattress cover daily.
- Change bedding and vacuum the bed base and mattress weekly.
- Use nylon or cotton cellulose blankets rather than wool blankets.
- Use hot (120°F–130°F [49°C–54°C]) water to wash all bedding and room curtains.
- Get rid of or reduce fabric wall hangings, curtains, and drapes.
- Use wood, tile, linoleum, or vinyl floor covering rather than carpet. If carpet is present, vacuum regularly with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum or a household vacuum with a microfiltration bag.
- Purchase stuffed toys that are machine washable.
- Use fitted sheets to help keep human skin (mite food) off the mattress surface.
- Use a HEPA vacuum. Conventional vacuums don’t work as well and put a lot of dust back into the air. They can be made better by using them with multilayer microfiltration collection bags.
- Reduce indoor humidity to between 30% and 50%.
- Install central air conditioning.
- Two products are available to treat dust mites and their allergens. These products contain the active ingredients benzyl benzoate and tannic acid.