Sources of Indoor Air Pollution and How to Clear the Air
We spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, whether at home, in the office, or inside commercial and industrial facilities. Yet, the air we breathe inside is often far more polluted than what we encounter outdoors. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) doesn’t just affect comfort, it can have lasting impacts on health, productivity, and even building performance.
This article explores the most common sources of indoor air pollution, how they impact people and facilities, and how Cambridge Air Solutions helps create cleaner, healthier, more efficient indoor environments.
What Causes Bad Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor air pollution can stem from a wide variety of sources, both inside and outside a building. Understanding these origins is the first step in addressing the problem effectively.
Internal Pollution Sources
- Combustion - Any process that burns fuel releases byproducts like particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO). These pollutants come from gas stoves, space heaters, boilers, and other combustion-based equipment. Over time, exposure can lead to respiratory illness, fatigue, and carbon monoxide poisoning in extreme cases. Regular maintenance of heating appliances and proper ventilation are crucial for minimizing combustion emissions indoors.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - VOCs are gases emitted by everyday materials such as paints, furniture, cleaning supplies, and even office printers. The EPA estimates indoor VOC concentrations can be up to ten times higher than outdoor levels. Prolonged exposure may cause eye and throat irritation, headaches, organ damage, and even cancer. Opting for low-VOC materials and improving air circulation can significantly reduce this risk.
- Biological Contaminants - Microbial growths such as mold spores, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander thrive in humid, poorly ventilated environments. These biological pollutants are among the leading triggers of asthma and allergic reactions. Managing humidity levels and cleaning HVAC systems regularly can help control these contaminants.
- Asbestos, Radon, and Particulates - Older facilities may contain asbestos within insulation, ceiling tiles, or flooring. Meanwhile, radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, can seep into buildings from the soil below. Both are known carcinogens. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) from various sources can also lodge deep in the lungs, worsening cardiovascular and respiratory health.
External/Outdoor Pollutants
Even when interior sources are well-managed, outdoor pollutants can infiltrate through cracks, open doors, or unfiltered ventilation systems. Vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, pollen, and dust can all degrade indoor air quality. Without proper filtration and pressurization, outdoor air can carry harmful contaminants into a building, exacerbating occupant discomfort and health risks.
Ventilation, Design, and Building Operations
Inadequate ventilation is one of the most common culprits of poor indoor air quality. When air isn’t circulated or refreshed often enough, pollutants accumulate and remain trapped inside.
This leads to a phenomenon known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), where occupants experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue, throat irritation, or dizziness that improve upon leaving the building. Often, SBS is linked to poor HVAC design, chemical off-gassing, and insufficient air changes per hour (ACH). To learn more about Sick Building Syndrom, visit our related article, Creating a Healthy Oasis: Let’s Tackle Sick Building Syndrome Head-On.
How Poor Indoor Air Quality Impacts Residents
- Health and Well-Being - Poor IAQ can trigger acute symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and nausea. Over time, exposure can worsen chronic conditions like asthma, respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer. Those most vulnerable, such as children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems, face higher risks and longer recovery times.
- Productivity, Comfort, and Performance - Bad air doesn’t just make people sick, it makes them less effective. Studies show that poor indoor air can lead to fatigue, slower cognitive processing, and decreased productivity. For employers and building owners, this translates to reduced worker efficiency, more absenteeism, and even higher operational costs. It also means risking product quality which puts brand reputations at risk.
Easy Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Fortunately, improving IAQ doesn’t always require a complete overhaul. Following guidance from the EPA and American Lung Association, these three strategies form the foundation for cleaner indoor air:
- Source Control - The most effective way to improve IAQ is to eliminate pollutants at their origin. Choose low-VOC paints and furnishings, keep combustion appliances serviced, control humidity to prevent mold, and ban indoor smoking.
- Ventilation - Bringing in fresh outdoor air helps dilute indoor pollutants. Modern mechanical ventilation systems, including energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), balance air exchange efficiently. When outdoor air quality is poor, filtration and air purification can supplement ventilation to maintain safe indoor conditions.
- Filtration and Air Cleaning - High-efficiency filters and air purifiers capture airborne particles and gases that slip past source control and ventilation measures. When integrated into an HVAC system, they provide continuous, layered protection against pollutants.
How Cambridge Air Solutions Helps Solve IAQ Problems
At Cambridge Air Solutions, improving indoor environments is at the core of what we do. Our fresh-air, energy-efficient HVAC systems are engineered to deliver measurable improvements in air quality, comfort, and energy performance. By introducing 100% fresh, tempered air into facilities, we help dilute contaminants, stabilize humidity, and create healthier, more productive workplaces.
Our solutions help building owners and mechanical contractors achieve:
- Cleaner, safer indoor air
- Lower energy consumption
- Reduced maintenance demands
- Enhanced occupant comfort and performance
To learn how Cambridge can help you clear the air in yours or your customers facility, contact us today.