How To Know If There Is An Indoor Air Problem

Indoor air can be polluted enough  to harm your family's health.  If you're worried that the air in your home may put your family at risk, do a little investigating to find the likely culprit.  Walk through your house and ask yourself a few questions to discover if the indoor air is causing a problem.

Do health symptoms improve when you step outdoors? Do they return when you come back into the house?  If so, you may have an indoor air pollution problem and should explore the following potential sources.

    1) Is anyone smoking indoors? Have smokers step outside when smoking.
    2) Can you see or smell mold or mildew?   
    3) Are there leaks or standing water anywhere...in the basement, kitchen or attic?
    4) Is humidity regularly above 50 percent?
    5) Have you recently remodeled your home or bought new furniture, carpeting or have you painted?
    6) Do you have fuel-burning appliances, such as a gas stove, water heater, or fireplace fully vented to the   
        outside? 
    7) Are household chemicals, paints or solvents stored indoors or in an attached garage or basement?
    8) Is there an attached garage or basement where cars, lawnmowers or motorcycles are stored?
    9) Have you used pesticides recently?
    10) Is there an attached garage or basement where cars, lawnmowers or motorcycles are stored?
    11) Have you tested your home for radon gas?  Although radon doesn't cause noticeable, 
          physical symptoms, you should test your home for this dangerous substance.  
    12) Has food garbage been covered and removed?  
    13) Do you use odor- covering chemicals or "air-freshening" devices?

, ,