Last updated on February 6th, 2024 at 09:40 pm

When you think of poor air quality, chances are you envision thick smog looming over large, densely populated cities like Beijing or L.A., or for us Utahns, the winter inversion.

This visible pollution, full of particulates and greenhouse gases, is a big health concern. And it is easy to focus on since it appeals to many of our senses on a particularly bad air day. (Count yourself lucky if you live somewhere with good air quality and don’t know the taste and smell of car exhaust or wildfire smoke.)

But do you know that indoor air pollution is also important, and may be an even more so since most people spend the vast majority–about 90%–of their lives indoors? And since many indoor air pollutants are colorless, odorless, and tasteless you may not have ever thought about it.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a significant worldwide issue. Chronically poor IAQ can lead to a multitude of health problems such as cancer, respiratory disease, and central nervous system, organ, and endocrine dysfunction. The WHO estimates that household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of 5.

With so many global pollution issues that may make our efforts feel totally insignificant, it can be refreshing to have something we can actually have some control of, more or less.

What is indoor pollution?

Many of the worst indoor air pollutants are the same as those outdoors and in the atmosphere; the difference is when these gases are confined indoors there is potential for them to become much more concentrated. The EPA states that levels of air pollutants indoors can be two to five times — and even more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels. Yikes.

The EPA isn’t authorized to regulate indoor air quality, and there aren’t any federal or state standards or guidelines governing indoor pollution or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) outside of industrial areas. It is up to us to educate ourselves and keep our indoor spaces free from harmful air pollutants.

Indoor air pollution, from sources that include indoor tobacco smoke, the burning of solids fuels, and noxious gases from cooking and heating, is associated with greater risk for chronic lung disease development and respiratory morbidity worldwide.

Study: Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Health

Common indoor air pollutants

Noxious gases

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas formed from burning natural gas. In homes it is primarily found in gas-burning appliances–especially furnaces, automobile exhaust, and cigarette smoke. Exposure to this gas is the leading cause of death due to poisoning in the United States.

The most important action to protect yourself from this gas is to ensure you have a working CO detector in your home. Read more CDC information on preventing CO poisoning.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide has been linked to childhood asthma: a 2013 review of past studies determined that children living in a home with a gas stove had a 42% increased risk of asthma compared to those who didn’t, and a 2022 analysis calculated that 12.7% of childhood asthma in the U.S. is attributable to gas stoves. Homes with gas stoves can often have nitrogen dioxide levels up to four times higher than EPA outdoor guidelines

Methane

One of the most potent greenhouse gases, methane is the main component in natural gas. In homes it is found in the same fuel-burning types of appliances that create carbon monoxide. It is usually harmless, however, at high concentrations, it may reduce the oxygen percentage in air, causing suffocation. It is also extremely flammable.

Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste. It is produced from the natural decay of uranium that is found in soil. This gas makes its way up through the ground and into the air. If your home has cracks or holes in the foundation or any other cavities or gaps (such as around service pipes), the radon can find its way inside your home and build up over time.

This is cause for concern as radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind smoking.

The EPA recommends testing your home for radon every two years. A simple radon test can be purchased online or at a hardware store, or through your state’s radon program. (Click here for Utah’s program.)

Visit the EPA’s radon page to learn more.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are a class of carbon-based chemical compounds that start as a small amount of liquid and vaporize at room temperature, evolving into large amounts of gas that can persist in the air long after the initial introduction. Outside, they react with nitrogen oxides to form ozone, contributing to air pollution and smog.

Some of the most common VOCs that affect indoor air quality include:

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde may be the most commonly found VOC. It is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. At low levels, breathing in formaldehyde can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. At higher levels, formaldehyde exposure can cause skin rashes, respiratory issues, but cannot be reliably measured in blood, urine, or body tissues following exposure.

This chemical can be found in a wide variety of sources.

• Wood products such as particle-board, plywood, and furniture
• Laminate flooring
• Paints and varnishes
• Automobile exhaust
• Cigarette smoke
• Molded plastic
• Carpets, fabrics, and upholstery
• Cosmetics
• Cleaning products

Minerals

Asbestos

If your residence was built before the 1980s, it is possible you have asbestos in your cement, floor tiles, insulation, walls and pipes. You can hire a trained asbestos professional to help you detect this mineral’s presence, and handle the removal if necessary.

It is crucial to handle asbestos-containing materials properly, as improper handling poses risks to both workers and the general public, potentially leading to the development of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The Mesothelioma Center is a great resource to learn more about where asbestos can be found in your home, and the safe handling and disposing of this material.

Lead

Lead-based paint was outlawed in 1978, so if your home was built before then you may want to check your home for its presence.

Children are more susceptible to lead because their bodies absorb more than adults do, and their developing brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Exposure to pregnant women creates a risk of harm to the growing fetus. In adults, lead exposure can lead to cardiovascular, kidney, and reproductive problems.

To test for lead-based paint in your home, EPA recommends that you hire a certified inspector or risk assessor. Their risk assessment will tell you whether your home currently has any lead hazards from lead in paint, dust, or soil, and also tell you what actions to take to address any hazards. Learn more about lead from the EPA.

Biological pollutants

Mold

Molds produce allergens and irritants that are especially problematic for people with sensitive allergies or asthma and other lung conditions. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. As molds grow, some (but not all) of them may produce potentially toxic byproducts called mycotoxins under some conditions.

Dead mold is allergenic and may cause allergic reactions and other health effects in some individuals, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold using bleach or other measures. It must also be removed.

Molds grow in damp areas so the key to preventing and controlling mold growth is controlling moisture indoors.

Learn more about what you can do to prevent mold growth and how to clean it up from the EPA mold page.

Allergens

Common allergens include pollens, fungal spores, house-dust mites and cockroaches, and pets.

Infectious agents

This includes bacteria or viruses.

Common sources of indoor air pollutants

You need to know the most common sources of indoor air pollution in order to take appropriate steps toward limiting exposure.

“So much of the regulatory focus has only been on occupational exposures without thinking about what happens in the home. People don’t understand how much they’re exposed to toxic chemicals in their living environment.”

-Toxicologist Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Toxicology Program and National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences

Aerosols

Aerosol solutions

There are plenty of great alternatives to aerosolized products, so it is best to skip aerosols altogether.

Gas cooking stoves

Methane

A Stanford study tested 53 gas stoves and discovered that all of them leaked methane when turned off, when three-quarters of their total methane emissions occurred. The scientists reported that this leakage has a climate impact comparable to the carbon dioxide emissions from about 500,000 gasoline-powered cars.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

This gas has been linked to childhood asthma: a 2013 review of past studies determined that children living in a home with a gas stove had a 42% increased risk of asthma compared to those who didn’t, and a 2022 analysis calculated that 12.7% of childhood asthma in the U.S. is attributable to gas stoves. Homes with gas stoves can often have nitrogen dioxide levels up to four times higher than EPA outdoor guidelines.

Benzene

Benzene is a carcinogen also found in secondhand smoke, but Stanford researchers found that indoor concentrations of benzene formed by the flames of gas stoves can be worse than secondhand smoke. They found that benzene can migrate into other rooms far from the kitchen, and that concentrations measured in bedrooms can exceed national and international health benchmarks. They also found residential range hoods are not always effective at reducing concentrations of benzene and other pollutants, even when the hoods vent outdoors.

Gas stove solutions

Owners of gas stoves should consider replacement with an electric model, if a position to do so. There are government rebates available to help with the cost.

If replacing a stove isn’t in your budget, there are things you can to to help mitigate the risk of these toxic gases.

• Use your range hood/exhaust fan every time you cook, which ideally should vent outside. This should be done no matter what type of stove you own.
• Open windows and add a fan for extra air flow.
• Use a portable induction cooktop.
• Use other electrical appliances to prepare your food as applicable.

For more information on energy efficient stoves and other appliances, click here.

Cigarette smoke

As many people can attest to, secondhand tobacco smoke can move between rooms of a building, including between apartment units. Smoking in a bathroom or bedroom is not a solution, as the smoke can travel through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, ventilation systems, and plumbing.

The EPA reports that several studies indicate ventilation, filtration and air cleaning techniques such as opening windows and using air purifiers can reduce secondhand smoke indoors, but they do not eliminate it. There is no known safe level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.

The aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless, either. It can contain cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead, among other chemicals.

Cigarette smoke solutions

For the sake of your health and that of anyone around you, please do what you can to quit smoking. As a nurse for over twenty years, I have seen countless conditions caused or complicated by smoking.

Don’t smoke or allow anyone else to smoke inside your home or vehicle.

Candles

Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. In addition, many scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes. As with any fragrance, the full list of ingredients do not have to be disclosed. All of these contribute to the potential to release harmful VOCs when lit, as well as when unlit.

Candle solutions

A 2002 study found that soywax, much like beeswax candles, burned at a significantly lower rate and resulted in less soot than paraffin candles. Therefore soy and beeswax candles are a better choice.

For any candles, make sure they are lit in a well-ventilated (but not drafty) area. Trim the wick if it gets longer than 10 to 15 millimeters.

A large amount of the VOCs and particulate matter are released when extinguishing the flame, so instead of blowing out a candle, use a candle snuffer or dip the wick in wax.

Consider using alternatives to add aromas to your living space. Essential oil diffusers, simmering spices, or potpourri may be better options for clean air.

Cleaning products

PVC/vinyl plastic

PVC solutions

Avoid products made from PVC as much as possible. This includes items like flooring, wall coverings, furniture, water bottles, baby bottles, pacifiers, food containers, yoga mats, exercise balls, toys, shower curtains, artificial Christmas trees, vinyl siding and other building materials.

Read more on the dangers of PVC, and check out this primer on the different types of plastics.

Furniture

The chemicals used during the production of furniture are off-gassed at the highest concentrations during the first year of an item’s life. This process can continue to off-gas for years, even after that smell is gone.

Furniture solutions

The best way to avoid VOCs from furniture is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Steer clear of furniture made of vinyl or PVC, as well as particleboard or plywood. Besides the downside of lacking durability, these materials are held together with glue containing formaldehyde. You’ll also want to avoid products that contain PFAS chemicals or flame retardants, which can also be found on electronics.

Avoid buying fast furniture–super cheap, mass produced furniture that is not built to last. Fast furniture manufacturers are more likely to use glue, paint and stain, wood finishes and chemical retardants which contain toxic chemicals.

Instead, buy quality furniture with third-party certifications like UL Greenguard or OEKO-TEX to ensure they are non-toxic. If new quality items are not in your budget, consider buying used pieces that have already gone through their off-gassing phase.

For existing furniture, take these steps:

• Remove the source, if possible. Place item in a garage, spare bedroom, or outside to air out before use.
• Increase ventilation to overcome the off-gassing rate. To accomplish this without wasting energy, you can control ventilation based on VOC measurements; running fans at full power 24/7 is not cost-effective or energy efficient.
• Heat speeds up the off-gassing process. Place items in the sun or use a space heater.

Find out how to buy sustainable, non-toxic furniture here.

Fabrics

VOCs and other toxic chemicals in textiles is a massive subject on its own (I’m currently working on an in-depth page on sustainable fabrics). Textiles are not regulated for VOCs, or anything else for that matter, so educating yourself on how to buy the safest clothing and other textile options is imperative.

Simply put, there are a number of situations that fabrics are exposed to toxic chemicals during the production process, particularly dyeing and finishing. Clothing made from synthetic, fossil fuel-based materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic tend to have higher number of chemicals than those made from natural materials like cotton or wool. Anything that has performance qualities such as wrinkle free, permanent press, or waterproof generally contains numerous chemicals, especially formaldehyde and PFAS.

Dry cleaning agents are also a VOC source. In the U.S., about 70% of dry cleaners use the cleaning solvent perchloroethylene, or “perc”, which is a known toxic air pollutant and can contaminate soil and groundwater.

Fabric solutions

Thrift for used or vintage clothing. When shopping for new clothing or textiles, do your best to stick with natural fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, or wool.

Third party certifications are valuable. Important ones to know include:

• Global Organic Textile Standards, or GOTS
• OEKO-TEX 100
• UL Greenguard
• CertiPUR-US

Try to avoid items that require dry cleaning, and consider whether the cleaning cost will be worth the cost of the item. Just because a clothing label gives ‘Dry Clean’ as an option does not necessarily mean you have to. Items with ‘Dry Clean Only’ labels should be dry cleaned, but for everything else, you can get away with handwashing if you do it right.

For more information on sustainable fabric items, head over to sustainable clothing and textiles. I also highly recommend the book To Dye For, by Alden Wicker to learn all about the toxic fashion that affects all of us.

Fragrances

Fragrance formulas are considered proprietary and therefore the ingredients are not required to be disclosed. This creates a loophole for companies to hide unlimited ingredients under the guise of “fragrance.”

Many of the chemicals used are fossil fuel-based, and fragrances that are plant-based may be safer, but be wary of those ambiguous “natural fragrance” labels. One of the most common groups of toxic chemicals that synthetic fragrances utilize are phthalates, one of the VOCs and water-polluting chemicals listed above. Parabens are another common concerning additive.

The safest choice is to choose products that are labeled fragrance-free, especially for those with respiratory conditions, are prone to migraines, or have significant allergies or any fragrance-related sensitivities.

Paint

Paint solutions

Look for no- or low-VOC paint.

Regular paint 250 grams/liter (matte/flat) 380 grams/liter (glossy)

No/Low VOC paint 5 grams/liter or less (No-VOC) 50 grams/liter or less (Low-VOC)

One thing to be aware of when buying no or low VOC paint: the pigment added at purchase may not be. Make sure the pigment added is also low in VOCs. Mineral- or plant-based pigments are a less toxic option.

Third party certifications are helpful when shopping for paints. The Green Seal GS-11, which limits VOCs and other harmful chemicals, certifies a wide range of paint, primer, sealant and coating, among other products. 

Greenguard is another reputable choice. This certification also takes into account emissions, which they say can still be high with low VOCs.

If paint with these certifications aren’t available, choose water-based or milk paints, and check the VOC label on the paint.

Besides choosing no or low VOC paint, skip those with antimicrobial or antifungal properties, which have added pesticides.

When painting, employ safe painting practices, making sure spaced are well-ventilated during painting and 2-3 days afterwards.

Pesticides

The EPA reports that a recent survey found that 75% of U.S. households used at least one pesticide product indoors during the past year. Products used most often are insecticides and disinfectants. Another study suggests that 80% of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors and that measurable levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been found in the air inside homes.

Other possible sources include:

• contaminated soil or dust that floats or is tracked in from outside
• stored pesticide containers
• household surfaces that collect and then release the pesticides

Pesticide solutions

Instead of using pesticides as a first line choice, adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. IPM is defined as “a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.” This applies to both animal pests as well as plant pests. The goal of this multi-faceted strategy is not to completely eradicate or eliminate pests, rather it is to get them to tolerable levels.

There are four main steps to this system.

1. Know your pest and plant health problems.
2. Decide what is unacceptable pest damage for your situation.
3. Consider all available pest management practices.
4. Time pest control with windows of opportunity, i.e. the points in a pest’s life cycle where they are most vulnerable to control, which is usually the immature stage.

To learn more general information about IPM, read Alternative Pest Control Methods for Homeowners

Unfortunately, there are situations where synthetic pesticides or herbicides are the best option. In these cases, choose one that has the host and the pest on the label. In most cases, a selective pesticide is better than a broad-spectrum pesticide because it tends to have less impact on non-target organisms.

Always, read and follow pesticide and herbicide label directions. This is the number one rule when handling chemicals of any kind. Mix chemicals outdoors.

For more about pesticide and herbicide use in the garden, as well as sustainable gardening practices, click here.

Beauty & hygiene products

Just about any type of beauty or personal care product can contain VOCs and other harmful chemicals. Cosmetics, shampoo and body washes, lotions, and deodorants can all be releasing toxic compounds into the air.

The beauty industry is pretty much self-regulated—technically the FDA does regulate these products to some degree, but FDA-approval does not exist. The FDA does not legally have the authority to approve products before they go on the market. They have banned a grand total of nine ingredients from cosmetics, and despite this, some still show up in products. By contrast, the EU has banned over 1,300 chemicals.

Beauty product solutions

Just like with cleaning products, we have to educate ourselves on what ingredients to avoid in beauty products. Oddly enough, many of these chemicals are the same.

• Retailer Report Card ranks companies on their efforts to reduce/eliminate harmful chemicals.
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a great resource to help you learn the ingredients you want to avoid in beauty products.
• The Environmental Working Group has a large database of personal care (and cleaning) products, including certification for the products they endorse.
• Think Dirty app

Check out my Clean Beauty page to learn all about what to look for in safe hygiene products, and then head over to my Clean Beauty Brands to get some great recommendations.

Furnaces & other fuel-burning appliances

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) recommends all fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters) should be inspected annually by a professional to detect carbon monoxide leaks.

I recently scheduled a furnace tuneup after years of neglecting to do so. The HVAC tech found very high levels of carbon monoxide in our aging system, and that led to us having to replace it. Incidentally, some carbon monoxide detectors don’t register CO levels less than 400ppm, which would basically indicate a full gas leak. CO can be harmful at much lower levels before that.

Furnace solutions

In addition to annual maintenance, keeping your system clean and changing filters regularly are the most important things to keep things running smoothly. The biggest causes of HVAC system failure and inefficiency are dirt and neglect.

Make sure you are using the correct size of filter for your system. Air filters are graded by a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) from 1 to 16. The lowest rated filters might only filter out large particles like hair. As the numbers increase, the more pollutants are filters out. This can include things like dust, pet dander, pollen, cigarette or wildfire smoke, textile fibers, and mold spores..

If you can see through the filter, you’ll probably want to skip it as it won’t actually filter much from the air. The most efficient filters are pleated, creating more surface area to filter pollutants out. The EPA recommends filters rated MERV 13.

Some manufacturers have their own rating systems. The equivalent of MERV 13 for these are FPR 10 or MPR 1900.

Manage your HVAC system more efficiently with these heating and cooling tips.

Fireplaces

The EPA reports that residential wood smoke emits more PM_2.5 pollution than both on-road (cars & diesel trucks) and non-road (tractors and bulldozers) vehicles combined, and five times more PM_2.5 pollution than petroleum refineries, cement manufacturers and pulp and paper plants combined. And nationally, residential wood combustion is the second largest contributor of wintertime PM_2.5 emissions. 

Fireplace solutions

Consider switching to natural gas. While they do emit some amounts of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, they don’t release particulate pollution release about 75% less CO₂ than burning wood.

Regardless of what type of fireplace you use, it is recommended to have a yearly professional inspection of chimneys, flues and vents for leakage and blockage by creosote and debris, especially when black stains are present on the outside of the chimney or flue. These stains can mean that pollutants are leaking into the house.

Make sure you have proper ventilation and open flues when any fireplaces is in use.

For wood stoves, choose a properly sized stove that is certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly. Burn dry, seasoned wood in any wood burning appliance.

Check the EPA wood-burning appliance FAQ page for more information.

Remodeling/renovations

Anyone that has done any home renovations knows that it creates a huge mess, stirs up all kinds of dust and other particles and fumes are inevitable. It is important to take proper steps to ensure home remodeling is done safely.

My sister and her husband recently remodeled their kitchen, and afterwards were both experiencing significant headaches. They purchased an air quality monitors and discovered their VOCs were much higher than WHO recommendations. They took steps to speed the off-gassing of their new cabinets, the VOC levels decreased, and their symptoms went away.

Remodeling solutions

The EPA has a list of best practices for IAQ when remodeling your home, which includes containing dust creating adequate ventilation. They also provide guidance for addressing environmental concerns during remodeling, as well as specific IAQ concerns.

Additional tips to improve indoor air quality

Many basic strategies will help mitigate indoor air quality issues related to many of these pollutants. To summarize,

• Eliminate air pollutant sources as able. Otherwise control, manage, and properly maintain pollutant sources accordingly.
• Use MERV 13 rated furnace filters and change at least every three months.
• Keep your living space clean, frequently dusting, mopping, and vacuuming. Use non-toxic cleaners. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
• Control moisture and damp areas. Regularly clean tubs and sinks and fix water leaks immediately.
• Ensure your home has adequate ventilation.
  • Open windows for fresh air as able, at least when outdoor AQI is safe.
  • Install and use exhaust fans that are vented to the outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as clothes dryers vents.
  • Ventilate the attic and crawl spaces to prevent moisture build-up.
• Do not idle the car inside the garage.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home; position as close to the floor as possible.
• Do not smoke or allow others to smoke indoors or in vehicles.
• Remove shoes before entering the house if possible. Place good quality, commercial grade doormats at all entrances. This will allow less tracking in of dust, pollen, mold, pesticides, and other toxic materials
• Wash bedding weekly.

Air Cleaners & Purifiers

The most effective ways to improve your indoor air are, of course, to reduce or remove the sources of pollutants and to ventilate with clean outdoor air. However, per the EPA, research shows that filtration can be an effective supplement to achieve good indoor air quality.

Air cleaners may reduce the health effects from some particles – small solid or liquid substances suspended in air, such as dust. Some controversy exists about whether air cleaners can reduce the allergic reactions produced by larger particles such as pollen, house dust allergens, some molds, and animal dander. Most of these particles are found where they settle on surfaces in the home, rather than in the air. They cannot be removed by an air cleaner unless disturbed and re-suspended in the air.

It is not known whether gasesous pollutants such as radon can be cleared from the air by filtration.

As stated above, utilizing a quality MERV 13 air furnace filter is one of the most important things you can do to both keep your furnace running efficiently as well as maintaining IAQ.

If you do not have a central HVAC system, portable air cleaners are an option to reduce indoor air pollution. However, none of these can remove all pollutants from the air.

Look for AHAM certification with a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). Ensure the unit is sized appropriately for the area you intend to use it.

The EPA has an eight page air cleaner guide for consumers, as well as a 50 minute webinar, which is actually very informative.

Houseplants

There is a lot of conflicting information on whether houseplants can help with IAQ, and possibly even filter out certain VOCs. However, reviews of the literature say otherwise. There is currently no research that indicates indoor plants significantly improve IAQ.

Despite what the research says, I think that having houseplants can’t hurt. At the very least they provide aesthetic appeal. Just be sure not to overwater, which will obviously make your plants unhappy, but also because overly damp soil may promote the growth of microorganisms.

Proper placement is important, besides for lighting purposes. Placing plants in the airflow of HVAC equipment can distribute odors, mold, and pollen throughout an occupied space. Avoid placing plants on porous materials, including paper, cardboard, wood, and carpeting, which can lead to water damage and microbial growth.

Final thoughts on indoor air quality

Hopefully you stuck with me to this point, and if you did, kudos! That was a lot of information, and I’m sure a lot of it is new to you, as it was to me. It is surprising that the topic of indoor air quality doesn’t come up more since we spend the majority of our lives indoors. Especially with the myriad of sources and the serious health consequences that can arise from poor IAQ.

The fact that the EPA or any other governmental organization (on either the federal or state level) does not regulate ore even create IAQ standards is disconcerting. Manufacturers of clothing and textiles, cleaning and beauty products, and other household products go largely unregulated and in cases like fragrance, don’t even have to disclose the ingredients they use in their products. This leaves the onus on us, the consumers, to educate ourselves the best we can to find products that are safe and non-toxic for ourselves and our families. I hope this indoor air quality guide helped to point you in the right direction.