Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

3.  What causes indoor air pollution?

Air pollution in the home is often misunderstood or underestimated.

Since the mid nineteen eighties, building scientists have had to come to grip with the terms Sick Building Syndrome and 'Building Related Illness'. The first complaints relating to illnesses associated with the indoor environment came out of the workplace and included problems such as migraines, nausea, sinus problems or even worse.

Now, these same scientists are beginning to focus on residential buildings and they are finding even worse pollution problems right inside the home. What is supposed to be a safe haven for the family, has turned out to be an extremely unsafe environment in terms of occupant health.

Close to 250 chemicals are used in the building materials that make up a house. With the introduction of new household products like cleaners, personal care products and simple things such as 'air fresheners', we are building up a substantial arsenal of chemicals in our homes. Warm and humid conditions in the home allow a phenomenon known as 'offgasing' to occur. Chemicals such as formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds which are in many of the building products in the home leach out of the products in a gaseous form creating a toxic, chemical soup we live in, day in and day out.

To help you identify the pollutants inside your home, see the Pollution Sources List below.