What is the Origin of Indoor Air Contaminants?

The clinical concern for indoor air quality arose from the "sick building syndrome" phenomenon and subsequent environmental health studies that revealed indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. The etymology is straightforward: 'indoor' specifies the location, 'air' the medium, and 'contaminants' the presence of harmful agents. In hormonal health, the focus is on EDCs like phthalates and flame retardants found in dust and air.

What is the Mechanism of Indoor Air Contaminants?

Contaminants are inhaled and can cross the lung barrier into the bloodstream, or they can settle in dust, leading to ingestion or dermal absorption. The physiological mechanism involves both direct toxicity and indirect endocrine disruption. VOCs and SVOCs, many of which are EDCs, interfere with chemical signaling and detoxification pathways, leading to chronic inflammation and challenging metabolic setpoint stability. Effective facilities maintenance standards are crucial for mitigating this exposure.

Indoor Air Contaminants ∞ Area

Indoor Air Contaminants

Meaning

Indoor Air Contaminants are airborne particulate matter, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present within the built environment that can negatively impact human respiratory, neurological, and endocrine health. These substances often include mold spores, combustion byproducts, and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) that off-gas from building materials, furniture, and cleaning products. The chronic low-dose exposure to these contaminants contributes significantly to the overall exogenous chemical load.