Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Indoor air in homes can be up to 10 times more polluted than the outdoor air in large, industrialized cities. Most homes have more than one source of indoor pollution. Various home activities cause pollutants to build to risky levels.

Those at higher risk are people who spend the most time indoors, such as infants and children, the elderly and the chronically ill. During winter, more people will spend time inside with doors and windows closed. Sources of pollution in homes are cleaners, pesticides, hobby products such as paints and adhesives, unvented heating appliances, humidifiers, biological agents from moisture buildup, personal care products, cigarette smoke, and gas powered engines warming up in an attached garage.

Reduce air pollution in your home by elimiinating of the source of or reducing emissions. Follow label directions when using pesticides and hobby products. Be sure there is enough ventilation in the area. Clean humidifier reservoirs often to reduce mold growth. Install a vent fan in bathrooms to reduce moisture buildup and fix leaky plumbing. Vent clothes dryers to the outside. Switch to non-aerosol pump spray personal care products and cleaning agents. Don’t allow cigarette smoking in your home. Warm your car or other gas powered engines outdoors. Increase the amount of fresh air in your home to lower the amount of pollutants. While air cleaners have become popular as a way to reduce indoor air pollutants, air cleaners can only remove particles from the air and not gases, such as carbon monoxide.

For more information check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website at www.epa.gov/iaq/ or call the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3603.