Practical next steps if contaminants or issues are detected in your home.
This guide outlines practical, science-backed solutions for some of the most common indoor environmental health concerns we see in homes. Recommendations are drawn from best practices and are intended to help homeowners address issues related to air quality, mold, allergens, and chemical contaminants.
For more detailed recommendations, refer to your personalized Home Health Report or reach out to our team at hello@inhauslab.com.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) commonly found in composite wood products, glues, insulation, and household products. It is a known respiratory irritant and probable human carcinogen.
Common Sources
- Furniture, carpets, mattresses, paints, composite wood
- Cleaning products and air fresheners with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
- Combustion byproducts (smoking, gas stoves, fireplaces)
Solutions
- Read product labels (especially disinfectants, deodorizers, air fresheners, multipurpose cleaners, laundry products); avoid ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and bronopol
- Seal or remove pressed wood or composite wood furniture if unsealed
- Ensure stored chemicals are tightly sealed
- Increase ventilation
- Increase fresh air, especially after introduction of formaldehyde sources (e.g., after completing renovations, painting, installing new carpets, or new furniture)
- Maintain low humidity and temperatures indoors. More formaldehyde is released in hot and damp environments.
- Avoid idling cars in attached garages
- Consider emissions from un-vented, fuel burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters
- Look for blockages in chimneys for fireplace or woodburning stove
Explore Formaldehyde Resources →
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
TVOCs are emitted from numerous sources, including paints, cleaning products, building materials, and furniture. They can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and long-term exposure risks.
Common Sources
- Paints, glues, solvents, air fresheners, dry-cleaned clothes
- Composite wood furniture, household cleaners, aerosols
Solutions
- Remove or reduce the number of products in your home that give off VOCs:
- Paints, paint strippers and other solvents
- Wood preservatives
- Aerosol sprays
- Cleansers and disinfectants
- Moth repellents and air fresheners
- Stored fuels and automotive products
- Hobby supplies, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions.
- Dry-cleaned clothing
- Pesticide
- Office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper
- Building materials and furnishings
- Safely discard unused or old VOC-containing products
- Reduce temperature and humidity to slow VOC release
- Increase fresh air ventilation
Mold & Moisture
Mold thrives in damp conditions and releases spores and mycotoxins that can affect respiratory health.
Common Sources
- Musty smells, discoloration, water stains, condensation
- High humidity or visible leaks
Solutions
- Identify signs of moisture or water damage. Look behind and underneath furnishings, stored items, and building materials.
- Discoloration or staining on the surface of materials or furnishings
- Musty or earthy odors
- Water leaks, standing water, water stains, condensation
- Look for sources
- Leaking roofs, ice dams
- High humidity in bathrooms and kitchens
- Leaking pipes
- Condensation on windows and exterior walls
- Air conditioning drip pans
- Flooding in the basement
- Pooling water around the foundation
- Control moisture sources
- Repair leaks
- Insulate and seal air leaks between attic and house to prevent ice dams
- Divert water away from house: Clean and maintain gutters, slope ground away from foundation, install sump pump
- Reduce condensation: use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchen, vent appliances outside, seal cold spots, increase air circulation to cold parts of the home
- Reduce use of humidifiers or use dehumidifier
- Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed, flowing properly
- Remove and replace duct insulation if it is wet or moldy
- Keep indoor humidity between 30–50%
- Clean or replace moldy and/or clogged HVAC insulation or ductwork
- Use HEPA vacuums and clean air conditioning coils regularly
Allergens
Allergens can build up in soft surfaces and air ducts, worsening respiratory symptoms for sensitive individuals.
Common Sources
- Carpets, pets, mattresses, window frames, pests
Solutions
- Use low-pile rugs or washable mats
- Consider steam cleaning carpets when possible. In addition to cleaning the carpet, the heat of the steam kills dust mites.
- Vacuum frequently with small-particle or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuums
- Seal cracks to prevent pests; clean with damp cloth
- Close windows and rely on air conditioning during pollen season.
- Avoid the use of wood-burning fireplaces or stoves because smoke and gases can worsen respiratory allergies.
- Clean mold and condensation from window frames and sills.
- Use HEPA air purifiers and avoid indoor smoking
Particulate Matter (PM)
PM includes dust, combustion particles, and organic matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Common Sources
- Outdoor air pollution, cooking, candles, fireplaces
- Indoor combustion appliances
Solutions
- Control outdoor sources
- Keep windows closed when outdoor pollutants or pollen is high
- Install higher efficiency filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
- Use portable air cleaners
- Control indoor sources
- Install and use range hood
- Vent all fuel-fired combustion appliances to the outdoors (including gas, coal, oil and wood-burning stoves, heaters, and furnaces).
- Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your central heating system (furnace, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
- Upgrade and routinely change air filters in HVAC systems (central heating and cooling systems) and in portable air cleaners according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Limit burning of candles and incense indoors.
- Avoid use of air fresheners, cleaning products and fragrances that have a pine or citrus scent because they can react with ozone to form particles and formaldehyde.