Indoor air pollutants are unwanted, sometimes harmful materials in the air within a building. Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks. Usually the best way to address this risk is to control or eliminate the sources of pollutants and to ventilate a home with clean outdoor air.

The Butte County Air Quality Management District does not regulate or monitor indoor air quality, however there are resources available to the public to help learn more about indoor air quality:

• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning (CDPH)
• Information on indoor air cleaners (California Air Resources Board)
• General information about indoor air quality (EPA)
• Indoor air quality at schools (EPA)

Types of Indoor Air Pollution

Particulate matter includes dust, smoke, pollen, animal dander, tobacco smoke, particles generated from combustion appliances such as cooking stoves, and particles associated with tiny organisms such as:

• dust mites
• molds
• bacteria
• viruses

Gaseous pollutants come from combustion processes. Sources include gas cooking stoves, vehicle exhaust and tobacco smoke. They also come from:

• building materials
• furnishings
• the use of products such as
  • adhesives
  • paints
  • varnishes
  • cleaning products
  • pesticides