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.

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.

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.

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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Date last updated:

23 October 2024

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