Indoor air quality

More people are now spending more time indoors due to new working from home arrangements, it is important to be aware of internal air pollution sources in order to reduce exposure where possible.

Internal pollution can come from a variety of sources such as heating, cooking, damp, cleaning products and furnishings.

What is air pollution?

Air pollution is the presence of harmful chemicals or compounds in the air that at high enough levels can cause harm. In the case of internal air pollution, these pollutants can come from external and internal sources that build up and negatively impact on human health.

Children, elderly, pregnant woman and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular illnesses are most vulnerable to air pollution.

The main pollutants of concern include:

NItrogen dioxide is a gas produced from the burning of fuel and transport.

Indoor sources of NO2 include:

  • Gas, coal or wood fuelled cooking and heating appliances
  • Open fireplaces
  • Smoking
  • External sources such as vehicle emissions that may enter the building

Particulate matter is a mixture of tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air.

Indoor sources of internal PM include:

  • Cooking activities such as frying
  • Cleaning activities
  • Open fires
  • Smoking
  • Aerosols
  • External sources such as vehicle emissions that may enter the building

Volatile organic compounds are organic chemical compounds whose composition makes it possible for them to easily evaporate to air.

Indoor sources include:

  • Cleaning products
  • Air fresheners
  • Perfumes
  • Paints and paint strippers
  • Varnishes
  • Glues
  • Smoking
  • New furnishings such as carpets, furniture, cabinets and flooring

Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.

Indoor sources include:

  • Gas and solid fuel appliances if not ventilated properly or working efficiently
  • Smoking
  • Candles
  • Vehicle emissions that may enter the building

Mould is a fungus caused by moisture, condensation and damp.

What are the impacts on my health?

Poor air quality can have short-term and long-term impacts on our health. Some impacts may not be felt until later in life.

Short-term impacts of air pollution exposure can cause inflammation of the airways leading to:

  • Coughs
  • Respiratory infections
  • Reduced lung function
  • Shortness of breath

Elderly and young and those with pre-existing conditions are the most vulnerable whilst healthy individuals may not experience any symptoms.

Long-term impacts of air pollution exposure can result in:

  • Coronary heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Lung cancer
  • Reduced lung function in children
  • Childhood asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Diabetes
  • Low birth weight
  • Lung cancer
  • Dementia

How to reduce internal air pollution

Things you can do to reduce internal air pollution:

  • Use your central heating or electric heaters for warmth and consider an electric fireplace that provides the aesthetics and warmth of a fireplace without the harmful emissions
  • Avoid smoking indoors – if you must smoke, ensure you do it outside with the door and windows of your home shut
  • Use passive aroma options such as essential oil sticks, freshly cut flowers or dried lavender / potpourri instead of burning candles, incense or using mechanical scent diffusers
  • Ensure your boiler is well maintained and serviced as per the manufacturer’s recommendations
  • Make sure your kitchen extractor is on when cooking and is kept on for at least 30 minutes after cooking has finished
  • Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated when cooking
  • Ensure pan and pot lids are used when cooking or boiling
  • Consider eco-friendly cleaning products with no or low VOC content
  • When installing new furnishings or carpets, painting or renovating, keep the room well-ventilated for as long as possible as weeks / months is preferable as the chemicals may take some time to escape
  • If you live near a busy road, avoid opening windows fronting the main road during peak congestion times
  • Consider investing in a vacuum with a HEPA filter and vacuum regularly
  • Remove black mould with bleach or an appropriate fungicidal spray – the chemicals to kill black mould will likely have VOC’s so make sure the room is properly ventilated

Improve indoor air quality

Help to improve indoor air quality in your home.

Ensuring a well-insulated home and energy efficient boiler will help to reduce the need to use a fireplace or wood burner and also reduce the energy demand on your gas boiler. Grants are available to residents of Epping Forest who want to make their homes more energy efficient.

Epping Forest District Council has teamed up with Aran Group to offer energy saving home improvement funding. This funding stream offers help to better insulate your home and upgrade broken or inefficient boilers. Visit the Aran Group website for further details.

Epping Forest District Council also offers financial assistance for home improvement grants to help homeowners and private tenants who are either older, disabled or on low income. Visit the home improvements page on our website for further details.

Further green home grants are available via government funding. Visit the GOV.UK website for further details.

Council tenants

If you are an Epping Forest District Council tenant and are concerned with reoccurring damp or mould in your home, contact the Housing Repairs Team:

Private tenants

If you are a private tenant and are concerned about reoccurring damp and mould in your home, firstly speak to your landlord about the issue. If you feel they are not adequately addressing the issue, contact our Private Sector Housing team:

Contact Environmental Health

If you have questions regarding information on this page contact our Environmental Health Team:

More information