Indoor air quality

Australians spend most of our time indoors. The air quality within these spaces affects our health. Learn about how you can improve indoor air quality.

Indoor air quality

Indoor air quality is affected by many things, including:

  • outside air pollution coming inside, such as vehicle fumes and smoke from bushfires and wood heaters
  • particulate matter from sources in the home, such as wood heaters and gas cooktops
  • volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde, emitted from building materials and furnishings
  • microorganisms like viruses, bacteria and fungi (including moulds) which can be transmitted through the air
  • gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide
  • tobacco smoke and vape aerosols
  • dust and pollen
  • asbestos
  • lead
  • pollutants from domestic pets.

Indoor air can have much higher concentrations of some pollutants and different health risks than outdoor air.

Learn more about specific indoor air pollutants.

Health impacts of poor indoor air quality

Health impacts from air pollution in indoor environments include:

  • carbon monoxide poisoning from using wood or gas heaters without enough ventilation
  • transmission of infectious diseases like COVID-19 by airborne viruses
  • asthma from dust mite allergens.

High levels of carbon dioxide and particulate matter pollution can affect educational results in school classrooms and reduce workplace productivity.

Ways to improve indoor air quality

There are simple ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce health problems. You can:

  • not smoke or vape
  • increase fresh air flow by opening windows (if the outside air is clean)
  • wear a P2 or N95 respirator mask to reduce the spread of airborne viruses
  • use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters suitable for the size of the indoor space
  • use an exhaust fan to remove cooking odours
  • use an exhaust fan to remove steam and moist air
  • keep exhaust fans clean from dirt and grease
  • avoid generating moisture indoors (for example, using a clothes dryer without sufficient ventilation) or having damp surfaces that encourage microbiological growth
  • use a door mat to help keep outdoor dust out
  • remove indoor dust regularly, and clean air conditioner filters regularly
  • ensure any mechanical ventilation systems are well-maintained, and have a high-grade filter, to bring fresh, clean outside air indoors
  • where possible, choose an alternative method than a wood heater to heat your home
  • avoid cleaning products, cosmetics, glues, paint, varnishes, carpet and fibreboard with high volatile organic compound content
  • avoid warming up a vehicle engine in a garage attached to a dwelling
  • avoid using charcoal bead cookers, barbecues, camping stoves or outdoor heaters indoors
  • treat any diseases in your pets.

Make sure you have sufficient ventilation, even when sealing draughts to save money on heating and cooling costs.

What to do if the outside air is polluted

Keep inside air as clean as possible from outdoor air pollutants such as smoke, vehicle fumes and industrial pollution. You can:

  • close windows and doors during short episodes of outside air pollution and open them when air quality improves
  • use a reverse cycle air conditioner or set other types of air conditioners to recirculate indoor air during short episodes of outside air pollution
  • avoid using evaporative coolers during short episodes of outside air pollution, as they bring outside air inside
  • during lengthy periods of outside air pollution, air out indoor spaces when the outside air quality improves even temporarily
  • use a suitable HEPA filter to reduce airborne viruses and some other indoor air pollutants
  • wear a P2 or N95 respirator mask.

If you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort call 000 for an ambulance.

People who are sensitive to smoke should actively monitor symptoms and follow their health management plan recommended by their doctor.

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