VOCs are among others released from cigarettes, paints, glues, cleaning supplies, copy machines, air fresheners and fuel emissions. Concentrations of many VOCs are thereby consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.

VOCs include a variety of chemicals that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and skin problems. Higher concentrations may cause irritation of the lungs, as well as damage to the liver, kidney, or central nervous system. Long-term exposure may also cause damage to the liver, kidneys or central nervous system. Some VOCs have been shown to cause cancer in humans.

While bacteria do not receive as much publicity as mould when it comes to indoor air quality, they are a real and dangerous health hazard. Some are producing toxic compounds (endotoxins) from the outer membrane of their cell wall causing severe diseases in humans if inhaled. Bacteria can cause Tuberculosis, Nosocomial Pneumonia, and Legionnaire’s Disease while airborne viruses are linked to Anthrax, Chickenpox, Influenza, Measles, Smallpox, Cryptococcosis, and Tuberculosis.

In indoor environments mould grows on moist surfaces such as drywalls, carpet, baseboards, and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVACs). When drying out or being touched the spores become airborne with severe consequences to human health. Many mould species such as Stachybotrys contain toxic compounds called mycotoxins causing allergies, headache and fatigue, sneezing, coughing, pneumonia and asthma. Particularly harmful are mold spores for young children and elderly.

Pollen is a fine powdery substance, typically yellow, comprised of pollen grains, which are carried through the air. It is a common trigger of allergies such as hay fever.
Common pollen allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, coughing or wheezing, problems concentrating and/or sleeping. They can also cause pain due to blocked sinuses, loss of smell or taste and an increased risk of developing asthma.

They are barely visible due to their very small size and translucent bodies. House dust mites are present indoors wherever humans live. Positive tests for dust mite allergies are extremely common among people with asthma. Dust mites are a nesting species that prefers a dark, warm, and humid climate. They flourish in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets. Their feces include enzymes that are released upon contact with a moist surface, which can happen when a person inhales, and these enzymes can kill cells within the human body.

Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers. Pet allergens are very light weight and small. They remain suspended in the air for a long time, much longer than allergens from cockroaches or dust mites. Because of their microscopic size and jagged shape, pet allergens easily stick to furniture, bedding, fabrics and many items carried into and out of the home. People with allergies may experience upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms including congestion, sneezing, runny nose, chest tightness and wheezing. Other symptoms are itching, watery eyes, and eczema or rashes.

VOCs are among others released from cigarettes, paints, glues, cleaning supplies, copy machines, air fresheners and fuel emissions. Concentrations of many VOCs are thereby consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.

VOCs include a variety of chemicals that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and skin problems. Higher concentrations may cause irritation of the lungs, as well as damage to the liver, kidney, or central nervous system. Long-term exposure may also cause damage to the liver, kidneys or central nervous system. Some VOCs have been shown to cause cancer in humans.

While bacteria do not receive as much publicity as mould when it comes to indoor air quality, they are a real and dangerous health hazard. Some are producing toxic compounds (endotoxins) from the outer membrane of their cell wall causing severe diseases in humans if inhaled. Bacteria can cause Tuberculosis, Nosocomial Pneumonia, and Legionnaire’s Disease while airborne viruses are linked to Anthrax, Chickenpox, Influenza, Measles, Smallpox, Cryptococcosis, and Tuberculosis.

In indoor environments mould grows on moist surfaces such as drywalls, carpet, baseboards, and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVACs). When drying out or being touched the spores become airborne with severe consequences to human health. Many mould species such as Stachybotrys contain toxic compounds called mycotoxins causing allergies, headache and fatigue, sneezing, coughing, pneumonia and asthma. Particularly harmful are mold spores for young children and elderly.

Pollen is a fine powdery substance, typically yellow, comprised of pollen grains, which are carried through the air. It is a common trigger of allergies such as hay fever.
Common pollen allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, coughing or wheezing, problems concentrating and/or sleeping. They can also cause pain due to blocked sinuses, loss of smell or taste and an increased risk of developing asthma.

They are barely visible due to their very small size and translucent bodies. House dust mites are present indoors wherever humans live. Positive tests for dust mite allergies are extremely common among people with asthma. Dust mites are a nesting species that prefers a dark, warm, and humid climate. They flourish in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets. Their feces include enzymes that are released upon contact with a moist surface, which can happen when a person inhales, and these enzymes can kill cells within the human body.

Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers. Pet allergens are very light weight and small. They remain suspended in the air for a long time, much longer than allergens from cockroaches or dust mites. Because of their microscopic size and jagged shape, pet allergens easily stick to furniture, bedding, fabrics and many items carried into and out of the home. People with allergies may experience upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms including congestion, sneezing, runny nose, chest tightness and wheezing. Other symptoms are itching, watery eyes, and eczema or rashes.