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Common Pollutants, Sources, And Steps To Reduce Exposure

By
Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Legends Realty Group 30PA1082583

Common Pollutants, Sources, and Steps to Reduce Exposure 

 Common 

Pollutants 

 

Sources  Steps to Reduce Exposure 

Radon  Earth and rock beneath home 

Well water 

Building materials 

Test your home for radon. 

Contact state radon office for more information. 

 

Environmental 

tobacco smoke 

(ETS) 

Cigarette, pipe, and cigar 

smoking 

Do not smoke in your home or permit others to do so.  

Do not smoke if children are present, particularly infants and toddlers. 

If smoking indoors cannot be avoided, increase ventilation. 

 

Biologicals Wet or moist walls, ceilings, 

carpets, and furniture 

Poorly maintained humidifiers, 

dehumidifiers, and air 

conditioners 

Bedding 

Household pets 

Install and use fans vented to outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms. 

Vent clothes dryers to outdoors. 

Clean humidifiers and refill with clean water daily. 

Empty water trays in air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators. 

Clean and dry or remove water-damaged carpets. 

Use basements as living areas only if leak-proof/adequately ventilated. 

Use dehumidifiers to maintain humidity between 30-50 percent. 

 

Carbon 

monoxide (CO) 

Unvented kerosene and gas space 

heaters 

Leaking chimneys and furnaces 

Back-drafting from furnaces, gas 

water heaters, woodstoves, and 

fireplaces 

Gas stoves 

Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. 

Consider purchasing vented space heater when replacing unvented one. 

Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters. 

Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves. 

Open flues when fireplaces are in use. 

Choose properly sized woodstoves that are certified to meet EPA emission 

standards. Make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly. 

Automobile exhaust from attached 

garages 

Environmental tobacco smoke 

Have professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, 

flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly. 

Do not idle the car inside garage. 

 

Nitrogen 

dioxide (NO2

Heaters, including kerosene heaters 

Unvented gas stoves 

See steps under carbon monoxide (CO). 

 

Organic gases Household products including 

paints, paint strippers, and other 

solvents 

Wood preservatives 

Aerosol sprays 

Cleansers and disinfectants 

Moth repellents and air 

fresheners 

Stored fuels and automotive 

products 

Hobby supplies 

Dry-cleaned clothing 

Use household products according to manufacturer’s directions. 

Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products. 

Throw away unused/little-used containers safely; buy usable quantities.  

Keep out of reach of children and pets. 

Never mix household care products unless directed on the label. 

 

Respirable 

particles 

Fireplaces, woodstoves, and 

kerosene heaters 

Environmental tobacco smoke 

Vent all furnaces to outdoors; keep doors to rest of house open when using 

unvented space heaters. 

Choose properly sized woodstoves, certified to meet EPA emission standards; 

make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly. 

Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system 

(furnace, flues, and chimneys) annually; repair leaks promptly. 

Change filters on central heating and cooling systems and air cleaners according 

to manufacturer’s directions. 

 

Formaldehyde Pressed-wood products 

(hardwood plywood wall 

paneling, particleboard, 

fiberboard) and furniture made 

with these pressed-wood 

products 

Urea-formaldehyde foam 

insulation (UFFI) 

Combustion sources and 

environmental tobacco smoke 

Durable press drapes, other 

textiles, and glues 

Use “exterior-grade” pressed-wood products (lower-emitting because they contain 

phenol resins, not urea resins). 

Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to maintain moderate temperature and 

reduce humidity levels. 

Increase ventilation, particularly after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into 

the home. 

 

Pesticides Products used to kill household 

pests (insecticides, termiticides, 

and disinfectants) 

Products used on lawns and 

gardens that drift or are tracked 

inside the house 

Use strictly according to manufacturer’s directions. 

Mix or dilute outdoors. 

Apply only in recommended quantities. 

Increase ventilation when using indoors. Take plants or pets outdoors when 

applying pesticides to them. 

Use non-chemical methods of pest control where possible. 

If you use a pest control company, select it carefully. 

Do not store inside home; dispose of unwanted containers safely. 

Store clothes with moth repellents in separately ventilated areas. 

Keep indoor spaces clean, dry, and well ventilated . 

 

Asbestos Deteriorating, damaged, or 

disturbed insulation, 

fireproofing, acoustical 

Leave undamaged material alone if it is not likely to be disturbed 

Use trained and qualified contractors for control measures/cleanup 

Follow proper procedures in replacing woodstove door gaskets that may contain 

materials, and floor tiles asbestos 

 

Lead (Pb) Lead-based paint 

Contaminated soil 

Dust 

Drinking water 

Keep areas where children play as dust-free and clean as possible. 

Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition; do not sand or burn 

off paint that may contain lead. 

Do not remove lead paint yourself. 

Do not bring lead dust into the home. 

If your work or hobby involves lead, change clothes and use doormats. 

Eat a balanced diet that is rich in calcium and iron. 

 

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: www.epa.gov. 

 

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