What are you breathing? What are Indoor Air Pollutants?

This data has been gathered from US  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
If you face issues with these pollutants you can consult EPA website for more information and solutions.
You can eliminate the source, or reduce their impact, using adequate ventilation and air cleaners.
These are some common sources of household indoor air pollution:

Pet Dander and Hair
Pets can trigger allergy and asthma attacks due to dander and hair. Keep them out of the sleeping areas, and away from upholstered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys. Vacuum and clean carpets, rugs, and furniture often.

Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products can trigger asthma and other respiratory illnesses especially in children. To help protect children from secondhand smoke, do not smoke or allow others to smoke inside your home or car.

Mold
Bathrooms are a common source of mold. Humidity from showers can cause moisture problems, which will lead to mold growth. Mold can cause allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. Installing and using a ventilation fan will help to control moisture and inhibit mold growth.

In air tight homes, windows and doors seal to save energy. Moisture can get trapped and condensate around windows when indoor air is warmer than outside. This can cause mold in areas surrounding the window. It is difficult to see, because window coverings can hide these areas. This mold may look like fine black dust or spots. Do not blow this into the air by wiping or vacuuming. It requires handling with protection. There are natural home solutions that you can use to clean. Wear gloves and a face mask. Rinse everything properly.
Ventilate on a regular basis. Dehumidifiers in living spaces can help prevent moisture buildup.

Dust
Dust mites can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. Dust mites are everywhere especially on pillows, blankets, carpets, upholstered furniture, and stuffed toys Dust and vacuum your home regularly, wash bedding, and use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers.

Pesticides and herbicides
Most of these chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat; damage the central nervous system and kidneys; and increase the risk of cancer. Don’t leave food out, and if you must use them, ventilate during and after use and follow directions to limit exposure. Use non-chemical methods of pest and weed control as much as possible.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Common household cleaners, often placed under the kitchen sink, release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), when used and stored. Store household products that contain chemicals according to manufacturers’ instructions and keep all products away from children. Consider purchasing cleaners without VOCs.

Paint, furniture stain, carpet, carpet glue, manufactured countertops, upholstery fabric, and other furnishings also contain chemicals with VOCs. However, it is possible to find VOC-free alternatives for all if them. Buying used furniture is often better because they have already off-gassed their VOCs.

In basements or your chemical storage areas seal cracks, ventilate, and properly store all chemicals where they will not spill.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)
As of July 2011, California requires all homes to be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors in living spaces. Fireplaces and leaking chimneys are sources of carbon monoxide. Ventilate rooms that have fireplaces, make certain the flue damper is operational and fully open when in use, and ensure the chimney is properly sealed.
Combustion heating and cooling appliances such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, gasoline-powered heaters, and other appliances are sources of carbon monoxide as well. Properly install, use, and maintain fuel-burning appliances. To help prevent carbon monoxide exposure, make sure appliances such as gas stoves and fireplaces vent to the outside whenever possible and that all appliances are properly installed, used, and maintained.

Radon
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the U.S. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter a home through cracks and openings in floors and walls that are in contact with the ground. Testing your home is simple and inexpensive. Learn more

- Existing Homes: Test for radon — testing is the only way to know if radon is in your home. Do-it-yourself test kits are convenient and accessible, or you may choose to have a professional test your home. If the test result indicates your radon level is too high, a qualified radon service professional can install a radon mitigation system.
      
- New Construction: Radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) draws radon from the soil and vents it through a pipe to the roof, preventing its entry into the house. This technique uses common materials and building skills. RRNC costs less than retrofitting a similar radon reduction system after the house is finished. New home buyers should ask their build to include RRNC features. All new homes, even new RRNC ones, should be tested for radon.


(source: US Environmental Protection Agency)

Tips to make your office greener, save energy and dollars:

Today more than ever we need to invest our money wisely. The following tips can save your $$$ while being kinder to the environment.
Go Paperless- Try minimize printing as much as possible by storing files on an electronic medium such as your computer hard drive, CDs or DVDs. 

Buy Recycled Paper- If you must print, buy reams of recycled paper. These days they are quite acceptable. Print on both sides of paper.

Rechargeable Batteries- Keep used batteries out of landfill. Buy rechargeable batteries and have enough to swap when needed.

Smart Strip

Energy use: Place your electronics on a power strip. Turn the power strip off when electronics are not in use. If you have to have a server or fax machine on, use a "smart" power strip.
Use fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Today, you can find replacement bulbs for all existing lamps. LED light bulbs are a little more expensive but they have a longer lamp-life.

Instead of running the air conditioned, open windows if your outdoor air quality is acceptable. Ceiling fans also use less energy than air conditioners.

Energy Star rated office equipment- Compare energy ratings before you buy. The price tag may seem low at the time of purchase, but you could pay a lot more in energy costs.

Recycling bins: Label and place recycling bins near your work area so they are convenient to use.

E-waste: batteries, computers, printers, toner cartridges, etc used to end up in the landfill. Now there are better and safer ways to get rid of them. You can list them on www.freecycle.org, contact your communities e-waste recycling center, or check www.earth911.com to find a safe disposal/recycling center for them. Many office supply stores now take your empty cartridges. Place a box or bucket next to your desk to store empty cartridges temporarily till you are ready to take them to your recycling center.
 Reduce your vehicle use- Combine trips to lower your miles, save on gas, and time. Make a list of things you need to do and the location and see how they can best be combined in as few trips as possible.
Use earth-friendly cleaning products- When purchasing cleaning products, use all purpose cleaners that are better for the environment. Click here for tips on selcting green cleaning products.