INDOOR QUALITY COMPLAINTS
                     5 MOST COMMON INDOOR QUALITY 
COMPLAINTS
TAKE A DEEP BREATH... DON’T 
CHOKE.
 Homes have a variety of air contaminant sources to deal with, 
including both airborne particulates and allergens, and household 
chemicals and odors. 
 Sources of indoor pollution contaminate the air we breathe every 
day. 
 Since people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, it is 
obvious why indoor air quality is important to our health. 
 These pollutants can cause serious health problems, also resulting in 
bad odors, dampness, stale air and stuffiness that can make your 
house uncomfortable. 
1) EXCESS MOISTURE:
 Moisture is the foremost and least recognized 
indoor pollutant, affecting both human health 
and the health of building. 
 The most common moisture problem arises 
when warm moist air encounters a cool surface 
such as a mirror, window or the wall of a cooler 
space. 
  It disturbs comfort too.
2)  SECOND HAND SMOKE:
 Second hand smoke also called 
environmental tobacco smoke. 
 Smoking is a class by itself because it has 
health consequences (even for non- smokers).
  From both an indoor air quality and health 
perspective, few activities rival smoking in 
detrimental effects.
3) RADON:
 Radon is an odorless, pallid gas found 
everywhere in low levels. 
 Radon ingress your home through cracks in 
wall and flooring, space around piping, 
fireplaces, furnaces, exterior ventilation and 
concrete joints. 
 Thus, it is the second leading cause of lung 
cancer.
4) COMBUSTION  PRODUCTS:
 Gas-fired appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, 
ranges, and some dryers, produce carbon dioxide, carbon 
monoxide, nitrous oxides, and water vapor.
  If the appliance is not vented properly to the outside, or 
if the air pressure around a non-sealed gas appliance is 
negative enough to cause back drafting, combustion 
pollutants can enter the house. 
 Carbon monoxide (CO) is a particular concern because it 
is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas that is difficult to detect 
without a well-designed CO detector, and can be fatal.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS 
(VOCs):
 VOCs include a range of evaporated substances, which can 
be emitted from many sources such as building materials, 
furniture, cosmetics, and fragrance products, cleaning 
agents, pesticides, adhesives, paints, dry-cleaned clothing 
and tobacco smoke. 
 There are over a hundred compounds that can be classified 
as VOCs in a typical indoor environment. 
 They may cause discomfort, and even worse, may cause 
cancer. 
Therefore now you can see why creating a 
sustainable future is not just a need for outdoor 
pollutants but also a requisite especially in 
construction of your house.