Indoor Air Pollution

Introduction

There are a variety of sources of indoor air pollution that can negatively affect your health.  Indoor air pollution is largely unregulated and maintaining healthy indoor air quality is almost entirely up to the actions of the renter, landlord, or homeowner. There are some simple (and not so simple) things you can do to reduce indoor air pollution and keep your home safe, many of which involve increasing ventilation and reducing harmful household chemicals. 

Indoor air pollutants include mold, pesticides, asbestos, radon, cleaning chemicals, textiles, pet dander, pollen, smoke, and cooking-related pollution.

The Problem

While various government agencies regulate industrial and transportation pollution, and regional outdoor air pollution is measured by cities, states, and the federal government, indoor air pollution is neither measured nor regulated by government agencies. If you are having respiratory issues when inside your home, please consider the following possible sources of indoor air pollution and actions to reduce your exposure.

Our Work

• Clean Air Council participated in a collaborative program to improve indoor air quality in low-income and Black and Brown neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Clean Air Council and its partners held 18 workshops over 5 years, educating residents on indoor air hazards like mold. Project partners also provided safe home cleaner recipes and other useful products at no charge.

• Partners published an article in the journal of Environmental Justice about this 5-year educational effort in Philadelphia: cleanair.org/climate-ready-philly/

• Council staff regularly answer phone calls about indoor air pollution and provide resources to assist residents in addressing issues.

LEAD

Lead can damage most of the human body’s internal organs and children under six are most susceptible to lead pollution. Lead can cause a series of neurological problems like lowering IQ and increasing hyperactivity as well as causing other behavioral and learning problems. It can also damage children’s hearing and cause anemia. Pregnant women are also uniquely vulnerable to lead pollution as it can damage the developing fetus and even lead to miscarriages.

In adults, lead pollution can lead to hypertension and other cardiovascular problems in addition to decreased kidney function and damages to reproductive organs.

There are numerous sources of lead pollution, especially in cities where lead contamination can severely impact the quality of life for millions of residents. Lead released as air pollution or road dust with lead can migrate into your home. In homes older than 1978, you could potentially be exposed to lead from painted surfaces inside and outside your home. Lead can also be found in home water supplies, either from contamination at the water source (e.g. well water) or from lead pipes found in older homes. 

Take Action:

• There are a variety of affordable home “Lead in Water” test kits available for purchase. You can also contact your water supplier for a lead test kit. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority offers free lead in water test kits as do many other water utilities.

• Lead is also found in some backyards and other locations with loose soil which can migrate into the home or be consumed. Soil test kits are widely available. The City of Philadelphia offers free child lead testing at its City health centers. Penn State University offers soil lead testing and more information about various lead contamination levels. There is no safe level of lead in water, soil, or blood, but government agencies have set specific targets and standards.

• If a child under six tests positive for lead in Allegheny County, the Allegheny County Health Department offers a free lead exposure evaluation.

• The City of Philadelphia offers a similar program described here.

• The Philadelphia Department of Public Health also offers additional resources about testing your home for lead. 

• Household paint is also a common source of indoor lead exposure, particularly in older homes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency endorses several home lead paint test kits.

Lead paint is a concern for those living in homes built before 1978, when lead paint was made illegal. Potential renters or homeowners are entitled to lead inspections when buying or renting a home built before 1978. Please consult this guide from the EPA before attempting to remove lead paint yourself.

In addition to removing lead paint yourself or hiring a lead abatement professional, several paints are commercially available to safely cover or encapsulate lead. Standard paint will not contain lead paint and you must purchase a specific lead encapsulating paint like Child Guard, Lead Block, Lead Stop, Lead Defender, Lead Clear, or LeadX. These paints can only be applied to specific surfaces and it is important to consider that these products are not evaluated by environmental agencies and long-term research about their effectiveness is currently unavailable. Please consult this guide on lead encapsulants from the New York State Department of Health.

ASBESTOS

Asbestos was once considered a vital building material, but was discovered to have significant health effects and was eventually banned by the federal government. Asbestos exposure is known to cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rarer cancer that can exist in the chest, abdomen and heart, as well as the lungs. Asbestos is also known to cause a particular non-cancer lung disease now known as Asbestosis.

Before the initial partial ban in 1973, asbestos was widely used in a variety of building materials, automotive parts and packaging materials like cardboard. Over time, bans on various uses of asbestos have progressively expanded. Asbestos is both a very strong fiber and heat resistant, which is why it was commonly used as an insulator. It is commonly found surrounding piping and plumbing in older buildings as well as in drywall and flooring. You are at the highest risk to asbestos exposure when doing home remodeling and renovations. 

Home asbestos test kits are available, but not certified by state or federal regulatory agencies. 

Please consult this extensive list of state asbestos consultants in all states.

This is a list of certified asbestos inspectors and remediators in Western Pennsylvania.

This is a list of asbestos professionals in Southeast Pennsylvania. 

The non-profit Philadelphia Health Management Corporation works with Philadelphia’s Air Management Services on the city’s Asbestos Control Program. Click here to learn more. 

RADON

Radon is a naturally occurring gas. Radon forms when uranium in soil breaks down to form radium, which then turns into radon gas. This gas then enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations, and other openings. Radon that is inhaled and can cause lung cancer. Because this is based on geological formations, these levels can differ by region. According to the DEP, Pennsylvania has one of the most serious radon problems in the United States: “Approximately 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above Environmental Protection Agency’s action guideline of 4 picocuries per liter.”

Take Action:

• Click here to use DEP’s tool to show the occurrence of Radon in your area.
  
• Click here for a directory of state certified radon testers and mitigators in Pennsylvania.
  
• Test for radon when purchasing a home or if you are unsure of radon levels. 

MOLD

Indoor mold is a significant environmental issue made worse by climate change and an aging housing stock. Indoor mold can seriously affect your respiratory system. 

Respiratory issues are more common among individuals with asthma or mold allergies. Indoor mold can also contribute to asthma symptoms and the formation of asthma among children.

Mold can also lead to sensitivity to it, which can cause an allergic reaction called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. 

Unfortunately, in Pennsylvania, indoor mold is not prohibited by law or regulated by the  Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  Similarly, in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health does not regulate mold.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not regulate indoor air quality but offers resources on indoor mold, radon and lead. 

In Allegheny County, renters can report leaking ceilings or other plumbing problems. These conditions can often lead to indoor mold.

Take Action:

• If mold is larger than a 3 foot by 3 foot square, Clean Air Council recommends you hire a contractor to remove the mold and stop the source. Do not pay for mold testing. All mold is dangerous and must be removed and the source of water or moisture must be addressed or the mold will come back. Mold is either the result of water infiltration into your home or the accumulation of condensation. You should contact a plumber, roofer, or heating/cooling professional to solve your mold problem.
  
• If you choose to remove mold yourself, please wear an N95 ventilator mask available at your local hardware store. Do not clean mold off drywall or carpeting, simply remove the moldy material. It is important to consider that you are at your biggest risk of mold exposure when removing mold. Please wear the proper protective equipment, seal off doors or entryways to other unaffected areas of your house, and open nearby windows and run fans to exhaust the indoor air while working.
  
• In order to get your landlord to fix leaks and address indoor mold, you may have to document the case and take legal action. Please contact rzerbo@cleanair.org for assistance.

APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT

Home heating systems that burn oil or gas and gas cooking equipment create air pollution including particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. 

Take Action:

• Regularly clean and/or replace filters on your heating and cooling systems. 
  
• If applicable, ensure your heating and cooling systems are regularly maintained and cleaned. Please consult this guide on inspecting home heating oil tanks.
  
• If you are concerned about indoor air pollutants from a variety of sources consider hiring a professional to clean your ventilation system. The state of Pennsylvania offers a variety of resources on home ventilation and heating/cooling systems including information on energy efficiency. 
  
• Replace gas stoves with an electric stove. 
  
• Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

All materials that you bring into your home can potentially pose threats to indoor air quality, including furniture, carpeting, paint, home improvement materials, toys, andpainted appliances and devices. 

Take Action:

• Make sure that whatever you are purchasing is made by a reputable manufacturer. Other than ensuring adequate ventilation, the only defense against this variety of air pollution is buying safe products such as those that are part of the “Greenguard Certification Program.”
  
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers advice on the safety of commonly used chemicals.
  
• Please consult this EPA guide on furnace air filters and portable air cleaners, also known as air purifiers.

PET DANDER, POLLEN AND DUST

Pet dander, pollen, and dust are all harmful to your respiratory system and lung function just like any other type of particulate matter air pollution. In addition, these negative health effects will be worsened if you have existing allergies to any of these pollutants or asthma.

Pet dander can come from your own domestic animals or can be brought into your home by your pet or if individuals or pets are exposed to it in the outdoor environment.

Similarly, pollen can come from indoor plants or migrate into your home from outside vegetation or from pollen that has accumulated on your clothes or pets.

Likewise, dust can enter your home from external or internal sources. A common source of dust in the home is degrading housing materials like drywall. Construction projects are common outdoor sources of dust from soil disturbance and the application of asphalt, cement, and other building materials. These can contain dangerous heavy metals in addition to other pollutants.

Take Action:

• Prevent the entrance of dirt and pollen into your home by using floor mats and/or removing your shoes when entering your home. 
  
• Regularly dust furniture, trim, walls, light fixtures, and vacuum and mop floors. Minimizing clutter can make it easier to regularly clean these indoor pollutants. 

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS AND OTHER CHEMICALS

Using harsh chemicals in your home for cleaning, renovations, pest control, or other reasons can do serious damage to your health. Cleaning products can negatively affect your respiratory system, while some pesticides are known carcinogens. Pesticides can also have harmful effects on your central nervous system as well as irritate your skin and eyes. Pesticides are also known to negatively affect your body’s hormone levels and endocrine system. 

Take Action:

• Cleaning with baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and other organic substances improves indoor air quality by avoiding air quality hazards like bleach.
  
• Cleaning, avoiding clutter, and safely sealing your home are great defenses against pests like rodents and ants. If you must use pesticides, use enclosed traps rather than sprays.

Please contact Russell Zerbo at rzerbo@cleanair.org for more information about the educational resources included in the Climate Ready Philly project or regarding other indoor air quality issues.