Given concern surrounding gas stoves and their potential for nitrogen dioxide exposure and the recent changes to air quality in some parts of the country thanks to an increase in wildfires , you may be feeling extra-conscious of the air quality in your home. Personally, prior to moving to Los Angeles, I had been fortunate enough to never think twice about the quality of air that I was breathing. Now, as I look out my window at the layer of smog that descends on the city and the gas stove in my kitchen, I find myself very concerned about the kinds of pollutants that are coming into my space, the potential sources of contaminants that already exist in my home and the long-term effects they all may have on my health.
Joyce Baker , a respiratory therapist and member of the American Association for Respiratory Care , said anyone can be at risk for poor air quality — not just people in larger cities like the one I live in. “Common sources of poor indoor air quality are smoking/vaping, mold, leaks or standing water and fuel-burning appliances, particularly if they are not properly vented,” she said, adding that household items like paints, pesticides and certain chemicals can also contribute. “Poor indoor air quality can be two to five times more polluted than outdoors because of the lack of fresh air, circulation and ventilation,” Baker said, citing an assessment from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The potential risks associated with lower air quality can range from.