Indoor air quality
Indoor air quality
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns.
Pronunciation
Indoor air quality: /ˈɪnˌdɔːr ɛər ˈkwɒlɪti/
Etymology
The term "indoor air quality" is a combination of the words "indoor" (from Old English innan, meaning "inside"), "air" (from Old English ær, meaning "atmosphere"), and "quality" (from Latin qualitas, meaning "character or nature").
Health effects
Exposure to pollutants in indoor air can lead to a variety of health effects, from minor irritations like allergies and asthma to serious illnesses like lung cancer or cardiovascular disease. Read more about the health effects of indoor air pollution here.
Sources of indoor air pollution
Common sources of indoor air pollution include combustion sources like oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings; household cleaning and maintenance products; central heating and cooling systems; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution. Read more about the sources of indoor air pollution here.
Improving indoor air quality
There are many strategies for improving indoor air quality, including source control, improved ventilation, and air cleaners. Read more about how to improve indoor air quality here.
Related terms
This Medicine GPT article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.