Is My Building Sick?, Common Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions to Indoor Air Quality Problems

Is My Building Sick?

Common Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions to Indoor Air Quality Problems

Short-Term Symptoms	Possible Causes	What To Do
Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, pneumonia, fatigue, bronchitis, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath Impaired lung/respiratory function, lung/respiratory infections, ear infections in children	Byproducts of combustion (such as CO, CO₂, NOx): Unvented or poorly vented kerosene and gas heaters, gas appliances, wood- and gasburning fireplaces and stoves, leaking chimneys and furnaces, vehicle exhaust	Avoid use of unvented gas or kerosene space heaters. Keep gas appliances and furnaces properly adjusted. Install and use exhaust fans. Change HVAC filters regularly. Increase the supply of outside air. Don't operate or idle vehicles near air intakes, doors, or windows. Clean wood stoves and fireplace flues regularly; check for proper draft; assure adequate combustion air supplly.
	Environmental tobacco smoke: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes	Prohibit smoking indoors. Offer smoking cessation classes. Make sure that the smoking area is far away from doors, windows, or air intakes.
Eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, fatigue, rashes, and allergic reactions	Formaldehyde: Pressed wood products (hardwood, plywood, particleboard, fiberboard) used in buildings and furniture, ureaformaldehyde foam insulation, permanent press textiles, some glues, tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, stoves, fireplaces	Use products with lower emission rates of formaldehyde. Flush areas containing new materials with fresh air for 2 weeks before occupying. Keep humidity low. Increase ventilation. Avoid premature aging or baking of products. See recommendations for combustion byproducts and tobacco smoke above.
Eye, nose, and throat irritation	Pesticides: Garden and lawn chemicals, poisons for pest control	Use alternate control methods when possible. Do not store in occupied areas. Follow manufacturer's instructions. Increase ventilation.
Headaches, irritation in mouth, rash, excessive perspiration, kidney damage	Heavy metals: Paints, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, soil, and dust	Vacuum and clean surfaces regularly. Remove deteriorated lead-based paint. Prohibit smoking. Eliminate entry paths for vehicle exhaust.
Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea	Volatile organic compounds: Paints, solvents, wood preservatives, glue, aerosol sprays, cleaners and disinfectants, moth repellants, air fresheners, hobby supplies, dry-cleaned clothes, some new furniture and carpets, large format printers, blueprint machines	Read labels and MSDS, follow instructions and job hazard analyses. Use in well-ventilated areas that exhaust air to the outside or use outdoors away from air intakes. Air out drycleaned clothes for about 6 hours before bringing them into occupied areas. Clean spills promptly. Flush the area with fresh air. Air out new furniture, carpet, and new construction 2 weeks before occupying. Purchase only low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, adhesives, and building products for maintenance and repairs.
Legionnaires' disease, humidifier fever, influenza, and other airborne communicable diseases	Bioaerosols: Humans, pets, moist surfaces, humidifiers, ventilation systems, drip pans, cooling coils in air handling units, plants, outside air	Remove the source. Maintain cleanliness of HVAC and humidification equipment, including drip pans and cooling tower trays. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to reduce humidity. Change HVAC filters regularly. Install more effective HVAC filters—check the HVAC manual.
Nasal/sinus irritation or congestion, dry hacking cough, eye irritation, wheezing, skin rashes or burning, shortness of breath, increased asthma symptoms, headaches (symptoms vary)	Mold: On building surfaces, inside walls, ceilings, or floors; potting soil or containers for indoor plants	Remove the source of moisture (plumbing or structure leaks, condensation, trapped moisture). Increase ventilation rate. Clean impermeable surfaces. Replace materials penetrated by mold. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to reduce humidity.
Sneezing, increased asthma symptoms, nasal congestion, eye irritation	Common allergens: Dust, soot, pollen, etc.	Change HVAC filters regularly. Install more effective HVAC filters—check HVAC manual. Keep indoor surfaces clean. Keep windows and doors closed when allergens are present outdoors.
SOURCE: Adapted from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission publications.