1. Dust can build on many surfaces and attracts dust mites. No matter where you live you will have some accumulation of dust, however the more rural places tend to have considerably more dust than populated places. Dust mites feed off the dust and multiply according to the amount of dust that is present, these are nasty little insects that can cause allergic reactions if not taken care of properly.

2. Mold is another problem that affects the air quality of your home. If mold is let build up enough it can become dangerous to breathe and cause serious problems. Mold has a certain smell, kind of musty and it tends to thrive in more humid and damp environments. You can purchase a Dehumidifier that will decrease the humidity in your home which limits the ability for mold to spread.

3. Chemicals are a broad category of pollutants that can manifest in the home. Some of these include Cleaners, paint or paint thinners, leaky gas stoves and fireplaces, also pesticides that are used in or around the house. These, if not stored properly can mix and have very serious consequences if inhaled in large quantities.

4. Smoking is another cause of bad air quality in the home. Smoking can aggravate breathing problems and can even cause lung cancer if you have been exposed for very long periods of time. Smoking is harmful to people of all ages and has no positive effects whatsoever.

It has even been stated that poor indoor air quality can have an effect on small children , by causing them to have a reduced attention span. This would be because they were not getting enough clean air to their brain, which in turn causes the lack of attention. Bad quality air can also contribute to insomnia or trouble sleeping which also can have effects on attention and alertness.

These are some of the major causes of poor air quality in the home and it is safe to say that everyones house has some combination of these effecting the air. If not taken care of properly they can cause major breathing problems or worsen breathing problems that may already be present in your family.