We sweep our floors, spray our bathroom or even scrub the whole house with a full arsenal of home cleaning products. But what about the part of the house that we don’t see yet breathe into our lung thousand times a day. Here are the top causes of indoor pollution:

1. Old carpets that harbor dust mites and new carpeting can emit VOC’s.

2. Shower adds humidity to indoor spaces, which can contribute to mold development..

3. Many household cleaning products emit harmful VOC’s ( volatile organic compounds) when they’re used and stored..

4. Cooking vapors, odor smoke and grease can contribute to indoor pollutants.

5. Leaky return ducts in crawlspaces can draw contaminants into the house.

6. Poorly flashed and sealed windows, doors and through-wall penetration can allow moisture to enter living space.

7. Unvented combustion appliances such as gas fireplaces, can transfer combustion by-products into the house.

8. A cracked slab can allow radon from soil and moisture into the house.

9. Cabinets and pressed-wood are often made with adhesives that contains formaldehyde, which is emitted into the home.

10. Garage is the most common place to toxic chemicals, car exhaust, and VOC’s that can migrate into the house.

11. Basement and subareas with moisture problems increase humidity levels and promote mold growth.