Indoor Air Quality Indoor spaces—homes, shopping malls, offices, and factories—are where we spend 50-90 percent of our time, making air contaminants a greater threat to human health than outdoor air exposures. Colds, influenza, headaches, and stomach upsets are illnesses often associated with common indoor pollutants such as radon, cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, solvents, pesticides, and ozone. Childhood asthma is also frequently associated with these indoor contaminants. Jesus loves children (Luke 18:15-16), yet children are most vulnerable to air contaminants. Another source of indoor air pollutants come from cleaning products. Many traditional cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritations and ailments. There are plenty of toxic free homemade recipes and low cost substitutes. See below for some ideas. A third source of indoor air pollution comes from radon. Radon is a known cause of lung cancer. Most radon exposure occurs in and around our homes. It comes from the natural decay of uranium, which is found in nearly all soils. When uranium breaks down, it produces the radon gas. It gets into our homes through cracks in the foundation or in walls. It is important to test for radon on the first floor of your home or church building. As people of faith, the Holy Spirit blows across our hearts and leads us to act for justice for all of God’s people and creation on this planet. As God’s servants, we need to do our part to ensure the safety of our homes and indoors, for ourselves, our loved ones, our children, and all that God “made good.” What we can do Make or buy your own toxic-free cleaning products: Baking soda works well to clean sinks, tubs and toilets, and it freshens drains as well. Vegetable oil with a little lemon juice works wonders on wood furniture. Use vinegar and water in a pump spray bottle for cleaning mirrors and shining chrome. Vinegar or soap and water with drying rags or a squeegee also work well for cleaning windows. Click here for more recipes for toxic free cleaning solutions Test your home or church building for radon. To learn more and how to test your home, click here. Reduce the use of indoor pesticides. Instead, consider the following: Remove sources of food and water that may attract pests. Eliminate hiding places for pests Sprinkle cinnamon to eliminate ants Keep screens in good repair Try washing your floors with lavender oil and water to discourage mice Create a smoke-free environment inside of your house Use furniture covers with natural fibers, such as cotton or wool Avoid wood products with formaldehyde in the finish Open your windows when cleaning, painting, or using sprays Learn more about indoor pollutants For more ideas to discourage pests, download this fact sheet from the Environmental Health Coalition. Learn more about safe ways to treat pests and indoor air pollution at the Oregon Environmental Council. Learn more about household cleaners and how to protect your family from volatile organic compounds. Learn more about air pollution and how you can protect yourselves, others, and God’s creation from poor air quality below. Air Pollution Introduction Indoor air quality Outdoor air quality Download the 2004 Earth Day resource on Air Return to the NCC Environmental Health homepage