What are you breathing? It is a good question to ask ourselves. All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. The good news is indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Find out more below about what you are breathing and how to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) around you.
About 23 million people, including 6.8 million children, have asthma and 12 million people report having an asthma attack in the past year. Asthma accounts for nearly 17 million physician office and hospital visits, and nearly 2 million emergency department visits each year. Learn more about EPA's Asthma Program
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually. Learn how you can protect your family. Learn more about EPA's Radon Program
Get a quick glimpse of some of the most important ways to protect the air in your home, tour the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) House. Room-by-room, you'll learn about and how to address key pollutants. Read "Care for Your Air"
Indoor airPLUS
Homebuyers today are increasingly concerned about the indoor air quality of their homes. To address these concerns, builders can employ a variety of construction practices and technologies to decrease the risk of poor IAQ in their new homes. Learn more about Indoor airPLUS
Twenty percent of the U.S. population, nearly 55 million people, spend their days in our elementary and secondary schools. Students are at greater risk because of the hours spent in school facilities and because children are especially susceptible to pollutants. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools Program
The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, get rid of excess water or moisture and then clean up the mold. Read EPA's Mold Guidance.
[April 2010] Presidential Cancer Panel Calls for Greater Action on Radon - The 2008-2009 Annual Report of the President's Cancer Panel, entitled "Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We can Do Now" has been released. Read more
IAQ and Student Performance Make the case for comprehensive IAQ management in your schools. The information at IAQ and Student Performance offers the latest scientific evidence demonstrating how IAQ influences student health and performance. Ensure your school environments are helping students reach their full potential.
Tribal Spotlights: The Tribal IAQ Summit Workgroup The Tribal IAQ Summit Workgroup uses a collaborative approach to increase the impact of tribes’ efforts to manage indoor air quality and improve community health for tribes in IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI. Read more about the Tribal IAQ Summit Workgroup
