Combustion Pollutants & Indoor Air Quality
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Combustion pollutants are the gases and particles made by burning any fuel, such as wood, natural gas, kerosene, charcoal, or tobacco.
The major indoor combustion pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine and ultrafine particles, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and formaldehyde.
At elevated levels, carbon monoxide causes headaches, fatigue, and queasiness. At very high levels, brain and heart damage can occur, and even death. Other combustion pollutants can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as lung disease, cancer, and other serious health impacts. For example, exposure to smoke from cigarettes and wood burning is linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Cooking emissions, especially from gas stoves, are associated with increased respiratory disease. Young children, people with asthma, and people with heart or lung disease are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of combustion pollutants.
The health effects of individual combustion pollutants are shown in the table below. Because combustion sources give off more than one pollutant, you should be alert for any of the health effects listed.
Health Effects and Sources of Indoor Combustion Pollutants
| Pollutant | Description | Health Effects | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | Colorless, Odorless, Tasteless Gas | Death (at very high levels), Headache, Fatigue, Queasiness, Poor Vision and Concentration, Heart Pains | Malfunctioning Gas Appliances, Improper Use of Gas Stoves, Wood burning, Kerosene Heaters, Charcoal Grills, Idling Cars in Enclosed Garages, Polluted Outdoor Air |
| Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) | Colorless, Tasteless Gas, Sharp Odor | Lung Damage, Lung Disease (after long exposure), Respiratory Infections | Gas Stoves, Malfunctioning Gas Appliances, Wood burning, Kerosene Heaters, Charcoal Grills, Motor Vehicles |
| Particles (PM10) | Small Inhalable Particles | Nose, Throat and Eye Irritation, Emphysema, Bronchitis, Allergies, Asthma, Respiratory and Ear Infections, Lung Cancer | Tobacco Smoke, Wood burning, Kerosene Heaters, Charcoal Grills, Incense Burning, House Dust, Hobbies, Polluted Outdoor Air |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) | Organic Particles and Gases | Lung, Stomach, Bladder, and Skin Cancer, Nose, Throat and Eye Irritation | Tobacco Smoke, Wood burning, Kerosene Heaters, Charcoal Grills, Self-Cleaning Ovens, Incense Burning, House Dust, Hobbies, Polluted Outdoor Air |
Combustion Pollutants & Health
- Woodburning Health Advisory; News Release, January 2003
- Wood Smoke Is a Serious Threat to Public Health; News Release, January 2009
- Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Increases Health Risks for Californians; U.S. EPA Research Synthesis, 2009
- Hospital Admissions Drop and Air Quality Improves with Fireplace, Wood Burning Restrictions; News Release, November 2015
- Reduce Your Exposure to Particle Pollution; News Release, December 2018
- Smoke
- Wildfire Smoke & Health
- Air Pollution & Health
- Indoor Air Quality & Exposure
Specific Combustion Pollutants
- Indoor Air Pollution From Cooking
- Carbon Monoxide
- Carbon Monoxide & Health
- Indoor Poison: Carbon Monoxide | Monoxido de Carbono: Un Asesino Silencioso: Videos
- Carbon Monoxide's Impact on Indoor Air Quality; U.S. EPA
- Carbon Monoxide Information Center; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Carbon Monoxide: A Cold Weather Health Threat, News Release, October 2006
- Carbon Monoxide: A Winter Months' Health Threat, News Release, October 2008
- Carbon Monoxide: Deadly in Enclosed Rooms; News Release, October 2011
- Carbon Monoxide Can Be a Silent Killer; News Release, December 2014
- Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly in Enclosed Rooms | Monóxido de carbono puede ser mortal en lugares cerrados; News Release, January 2014
- Formaldehyde
- Airborne Toxics
Protection Strategies
- Combustion Pollutants in Your Home - Guidelines
- Woodsmoke Reduction Program
- Air Cleaner Information for Consumers Program
- Tips for Choosing Indoor Air Cleaners for Effective Indoor Smoke Removal in California; News Release, October 2017
- Kitchen Ventilation Solutions To Indoor Air Pollution Hazards from Cooking; Research Seminar Video, October 2013
- Protecting Yourself From Wildfire Smoke
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors: A California law (Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010; Health and Safety Code, Section 13260-13263) requires that carbon monoxide detectors or alarms be installed in all dwellings that have any kind of fuel type appliance (gas, propane, etc.) or an attached garage. The CO detectors/alarms must be those approved by the California Office of the State Fire Marshall. In addition, Assembly Bill, AB 2386 Care Facilities: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (signed by the Governor on September 20, 2014) requires community care facilities, residential care facilities for the elderly, residential care facilities for persons with chronic life-threatening illness, day care centers, and family day care homes to have one or more functioning carbon monoxide detectors that meet specified statutory requirements in the facility. For questions regarding the requirements of the law regarding carbon monoxide detectors, please contact the State Housing Law Program and/or the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
- Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Easy to Use, Can Save Your Life | Alarmas de Monoxido de Carbono - Facil de Usar, Pueden Salvar Tu Vida; Videos
- CO Alarms; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission