Health Hazards in Indoor Air

Indentifying pollutants that pose a potential hazard indoors is an important first step to reducing risks. We reviewed key published studies reporting measurements of chemical pollutants in residences. Summary results were compiled and used to calculate representative mid-range and upper-bound concentrations relevant to chronic exposures for over 300 pollutants and peak concentrations relevant to acute exposures for a few episodic activity-associated pollutants. For the over 100 pollutants with available criterions, the measured concentrations are compared to available chronic and acute health-hazard standards and guidelines. Fifteen pollutants are identified as potential chronic or acute health hazards for many homes. A subset of pollutants are identified as priority chemical pollutants and suggestions are made for effectively reducing indoor concentrations.