Indoor air pollution

Indoor air quality  is an issue that refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures. Indoor air pollution can be natural or anthropogenic (manmade) and many air pollutants are found much greater concentrations indoors than outdoors, which may affect the health and comfort of building occupants.

The reasons that air pollutants may be concentrated indoor is because many of the pollutants are generated by indoor sources, such as building materials and energy conservation measures often decrease the ventilation of buildings.

 Sources of indoor air pollution include but are not limited:
1. Environmental tobacco smoke;  
2. Toxic gases - SO₂, NO₂, CO, CO₂, and ozone
3. Volatile organics - formaldehyde, organic volatile compounds from cooking, paints, clean
     sprays, carpet, furniture and clothing
4. Radon gas seeping up from natural soil and rocks below buildings;
5. Pesticides used to control ants, flies, fleas and moths
6. Asbestos used as an insulating and fireproof materials
7. Particulates, inorganic (As, Cd, Pb, Hg) and soot;
8. Microbial contaminants -  molds (fungal growth), bacteria and biological aerosols.

Indoor air pollution control
1. Indoor air pollution can be controlled in most cases by a combination of filtration
     ventilation, source removal, source modification and air cleaning
2. Properly designed, installed, and operated heating and air conditioning systems can
    provide thermal comfort, optimal ventilation, and clean air for a building’s inhabitants;
3. An educated public can best make wise consumer decisions necessary to reduce indoor 
    air pollution problems.

My personal favourite tips to minimise indoor pollutants at home:

1. To use a door mat and getting it cleaned when it's dirty

2. To mope and vacuuming home floors regularly
3. To keep dirty shoes and smelling socks outdoor
4. To make your home a no-smoking place
5. Open your home windrow regularly to let fresh air indoor;
6. To use an exhaust fan when cooking
To introduce some beautiful flower sand natural plants (e.g., ferns, spider plants) indoor.