Louisville Indoor Air Quality Service

The following is adapted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Source: Unvented kerosene and gas heaters, gas appliances, wood, and gas-burning fireplaces, leaking chimneys and furnaces, tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust in attached garages

Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, impaired lung function and respiratory function in children, bronchitis, lung cancer, flu-like symptoms.

What to do:

• Avoid Use of Unvented Gas or Kerosene Space Heaters
• Keep Gas Appliances and Furnaces Properly Adjusted
• Install and Use Exhaust Fans
• Change Filters on Heating/Cooling Systems and Air Cleaners
• Increase of Supply of Outside Air
• Proper Location of Air Intakes to Avoid Exhaust From Vehicles

Source: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes 

Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, pneumonia. Increased risk of respiratory and ear infections in children. Lung cancer and increased risk of heart disease.

What to do:

• Stop Smoking
• Discourage Others From Smoking
• Isolate Smokers Outdoors

Source: Pressed wood products (hardwood, plywood wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard) used in buildings and furniture, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, permanent press textiles, glue, ETS, vehicle exhaust, stoves, fireplaces 

Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, fatigue, rashes, and allergic reactions. Causes cancer in animals. Death at very high concentration.

What to do:

• Use Products With Lower Emission Rates of Formaldehyde
• Keep Humidity Low in House
• Increase Ventilation
• Aging or Baking of Products

Source: Paints, solvents, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleaners and disinfectants, moth repellents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, and dry-cleaned clothes 

Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, damage to kidney and central nervous system. Some cause cancer in animals. Some may cause cancer in humans.

What to do:

• Buy Only What You Need
• Read Labels and Follow Instructions
• Use in Well-Ventilated Areas or Outdoors
• Hang Dry-Cleaned Clothes in an Open Area for About 6 Hours

Source: Local geology, soil, water 

Health Effect: Lung cancer, possibility of stomach cancer

What to do:

• Seal Cracks and Openings in the Basement
• Ventilate Crawl Space
• Subslab Suction
• Increase Ventilation

Source: Garden and lawn chemicals, poisons for pest control

Health Effect: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, damage to central nervous system and kidney, cancer

What to do:

• Use Non-chemicals if Possible
• Avoid Storage in the House
• Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions

Source: Deteriorating or damaged insulation, fireproofing, or acoustical materials

Health Effect: Cancer and lung diseases (smokers at higher risk)

What to do:

• Test the Suspected Material
• Remove Asbestos by a Trained Contractor or Develop a Maintenance Plan
• Encapsulation of Material Containing Asbestos

Source: Paints, automobiles, tobacco smoke, soil, and dust

Health Effect: Headaches, irritation in mouth, rash, excessive perspiration, kidney damage

What to do:

• Vacuum Regularly
• Removal of Lead-Based Paint

Source: Humans, pets, moist surfaces, humidifiers, ventilation systems, drip pans, cooling coils in air handling units, plants, outside air

Health Effect: Legionnaires’ disease, humidifier fever, influenza

What to do:

• Remove the Source
• Maintenance of Equipment
• Humidity Control to 40% to 60%
• Use of Filters in Ventilation
• Air Cleaning by the Use of Disinfectants

Consider an air purifier, UV lamp, and whole-house duct cleaning to improve your indoor air quality.