All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. Some we choose to accept because to do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives the way we want. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about.

The Indoor Environments Division (IED), located within the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA), under the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), is responsible for implementing EPA’s Indoor Environments Program, a voluntary (non-regulatory) program to address indoor air pollution.

Most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, where pollutant levels may be 2-5 times higher, and occasionally 100 times higher, than outdoors. The Agency defines indoor air pollution as chemical, physical or biological contaminants in the breathable air inside a habitable structure or conveyance, such as in homes, schools, offices, and vehicles. Sources of indoor air pollution include natural sources, building materials, products, and occupant activities. Health effects from indoor air pollution range from immediate to long-term, and treatable to severely debilitating or fatal.

EPA's Indoor Environments Division seeks to reduce human health risks posed by contaminants in indoor environments. IED analyzes those risks based on sound science, and uses social marketing techniques to conduct broad public education and outreach. IED encourages people to take action to minimize their risk and mitigate indoor air quality problems. To complement efforts, IED partners with public and private sector entities, in some cases providing funding support. Partners across EPA Regions include state and local governments, tribes, non-profit public health organizations, and industry.

The original strategy for the Indoor Environments Program was articulated in the Agency’s Indoor Air Quality Implementation Plan in 1987. Since 1987, EPA has addressed public health risks from indoor radon, indoor asthma triggers, environmental tobacco smoke, and air toxics, in schools, public and commercial buildings, homes, and communities. Other program areas include mold, green buildings and international assistance in developing nations to reduce indoor smoke from household heating and cooking.