Indoor Air Pollutants Part 2: Description of sources and control/mitigation measures

This Ventilation Information Paper (VIP) addresses the sources of pollutants and effective measures to control them or to mitigate their impacts on occupants and building contents. The most effective means to control indoor air pollution is through reduction or elimination of pollution sources. Indoor pollutants originate both within the building and from outside. The first step in controlling the sources of indoor air pollution is to identify them. Building materials, occupants and their activities, and equipment and appliances can all be sources of indoor pollutants. Once the sources have been identified, control strategies can be developed and implemented. Appropriate ventilation strategies can reduce concentrations of pollutants that can't be eliminated by source control. Air cleaning and filtration can reduce the concentrations of contaminants in buildings where ventilation systems recirculate air within the building.