Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Matters
Factors Contributing to Poor Air Quality A variety of factors contribute to poor IAQ, including how air moves into and out of the home, what filters are in place, and what products release particulates into the air. The truth is, when you factor in aerosols, paint, pet dander, grease, poor ventilation, cooking fumes, cleaning products, and even candles, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Identifying the pollutants in your home is key to eliminating them. Doctor Wada helps clarify the contributing factors, saying, “The most common culprits tend to fall into a few categories: z Allergens: Pet dander (comes from the skin and secretions, not just the fur), dust mites, and pollen. z Moisture & Mold: Damp bathrooms, leaky basements, or even a small water leak can be enough to set the stage for mold growth. z Chemical Off-Gassing (VOCs): New furniture, carpet, or even certain cleaning products like bleach can release irritating compounds into the air. z Other Irritants: Smoke from cooking, wood stoves, or tobacco.” Many people are unaware of the additional risks to indoor air during the winter months. As we spend more time indoors, we trap carbon dioxide, cooking and product fumes, and dust behind closed doors and windows. At best, this results in stale air. At worst, it can cause dangers ranging from allergy flare-ups to mold growth.
On a public level, alerts warn us against outdoor activities when the air quality is bad. But at home, we are often unaware of similar dangers. Since most of us spend at least half our time at home, monitoring IAQ should be a priority. In fact, doctors agree that indoor air is equally to blame for particle-related health issues as outdoor air. Kara Wada, MD, allergist, immunologist, and founder of Immune Confident Institute, summarized, “Over time, poor indoor air quality can raise the risk of chronic sinus issues, asthma flare-ups, fatigue, headaches, brain fog, and other inflammatory conditions.” She also emphasized, “For children, whose lungs and immune systems are still developing, the stakes are higher.” Unfortunately, we often don’t realize our home environment is a problem. We asked Dr. Wada about symptoms people should be aware of that could be related to poor IAQ, and she said many physiological reactions could point to the air we breathe, saying, “Nagging congestion, scratchy throats, constant fatigue, or ‘can’t-think-straight' brain fog may be the body reacting to what’s in the air at home. Other signals include chronic cough, headaches, worsening allergies, or kids with recurrent ear and sinus infections. These reactions are all part of the body’s inflammatory response to irritants it perceives as threats and/or directly damages our mucosal linings.”
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December 2025
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