What is the most harmful form of indoor air pollution?

Question

Can't really seem to find the answer for this at all.

What is the most harmful form of indoor air pollution?

Appreciate the help, thank you

Answer 1

Mold. It can make you very ill and cause permanant damage to lungs and brain.

Answer 2

On a short term basis it is carbon monoxide.  Every year we hear about people who heated their abodes with charcoal grills and died of carbon monoxide poisoning.  

However, in terms of total mortality, I suspect that cigarette smoke is the most dangerous, especially if it induces new people to smoke.  That is, if mom and dad smoke, the chances that the kids will smoke is much higher.  Cigarette smoke probably kills more people than any other type of smoke found indoors.  It just takes a longer time than carbon monoxide.

Answer 3

Second-hand smoke

Answer 4

A little known; but very hazardous form of indoor pollution is radiactive radon gas.  It is present in minute quantities only, and has a short half life; but it is increasingly found inside buildings, as a natural product of radioactive decay.  This is particularly the case with concrete structures, because of the traces of minerals containing thorium in the cement (the heavy mineral monzonite; for instance).  

Radon tends to concentrate, because it is the heaviest gas.

More information is available by looking up radon in Wikipedia

Answer 5

I'd say probably VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in paint, cleaners, adhesives, insulating foam, carpet, and other floor coverings.  These VOCs are gases that are released over time, and can cause hazardous adverse health affects when overexposed.