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Indoor Air Quality

People spend as much as 90% of their time inside their homes, offices, schools, and cars. Indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air. The air inside buildings can contain several asthma and allergy triggers and airway irritants.

Good indoor air quality is an important part of asthma and allergy management. When you’re managing asthma and allergies, take steps to make sure your indoor air is well-ventilated and has a lower amount of pollution, indoor allergens and other irritants.

On this page:

What is indoor air quality?
What affects indoor air quality?

How does indoor air quality affect health?
How to improve air quality in homes
How to improve air quality in schools
How to improve air quality in workplaces
Advocating for cleaner indoor air

 

What Is Indoor Air Quality?

Air contains different types of particles. These particles are a mix of gases (like carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds), small solid particles (like dust and pollen), and small liquid droplets (like water). Some particles in the air may harm human health or the environment. The type and amount of particles in the air can affect your indoor air quality.

Particles in indoor air that can be harmful include:

  • Allergens
  • Mold
  • Chemicals, scents, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Smoke and fumes
  • Certain gases like ozone, radon, and carbon monoxide
  • Outdoor air pollution that gets trapped inside buildings

What Affects Indoor Air Quality?

Four factors affect indoor air quality:

  • Ventilation
  • Filtration
  • Humidity
  • Sources of pollution, allergens, and irritants

Ventilation

When a building or enclosed space has poor ventilation, it traps the air inside. This can make the indoor air more polluted and irritating than outdoor air.  Poor ventilation can also cause more moisture (higher humidity levels) inside.

When a building has good ventilation, fresh air is brought indoors, and indoor pollution moves outdoors.

Filtration

Central heating and air conditioning systems have filters to trap dust and other particles (pollution). Portable air cleaners also filter the air in the room where they are located.

Filters need to be changed or cleaned regularly as per manufacturer’s recommendations.

Allergens

Indoor air can have a lot of allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, cockroaches, and mold. These substances irritate the airways of people with allergies and asthma. They can also trigger other symptoms like skin rashes.

Humidity

Humid air creates small liquid droplets that can trap pollutants and worsen air quality.

Mold and dust mites thrive in environments that have increased moisture. Keep the indoor relative humidity levels between 30-50% to reduce mold and dust mite levels.

Scents, Chemicals, and Other Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Scents, both pleasant and smelly, can affect your indoor air quality. Any kind of scent can potentially  trigger asthma symptoms. These can include scented candles, fragranced potpourri, perfumes, wax warmers, and cleaning supplies.

Some other items in your home can release gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is called off-gassing. VOCs can be 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.2 VOCs can have some short-term adverse effects, but experts aren’t sure yet of long-term adverse effects.

Sources of VOCs can include:

  • New furniture
  • New mattresses
  • New carpet
  • New building materials
  • Paint and varnish
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Air fresheners
  • Pesticides

Other sources of indoor air pollution include:

  • Fuel-burning heat sources (like wood-burning stoves, gas fireplaces, kerosene heaters)
  • Smoke from gas cooktops, candles, or tobacco use (e.g., cigarette smoking)
  • Attached garages that store cars, motorcycles, or lawnmowers can add carbon monoxide to your air
  • Radon (a gas that comes from the ground, gets trapped in a home, and can rise to dangerous levels)
  • Ozone produced by ionizing air cleaners and emitted by office equipment is a lung irritant and can worsen asthma

Outdoor air pollution comes from manmade and natural sources.

Outdoor Air Pollution

Outdoor air pollution is caused by particles and gases that are not normally part of the air. This can come from pollen, smoke, dust, ozone, and emissions from cars and factories. All of these can create poor outdoor air quality.

Bad outdoor air quality can make asthma and allergies worse.  Outdoor air can easily enter your home by coming  through leaks around doors and windows. It can also come in every time you open a window or door. In addition, you can bring pollen and smoke particles inside on your clothing.

Allergens, scents, chemicals, and outdoor air in your home all work together to negatively affect your indoor air quality.

How Does Indoor Air Quality Affect My Health?

Good indoor air quality is an important part of asthma and allergy management. Having your asthma and allergies under control can help you breathe better, sleep better, be more active, and be healthier overall. All of these things can improve your overall quality of life.

If you are constantly in a space – such as your home, work, or school – that has poor indoor air quality, it may have a negative impact on your health. You may have trouble keeping your asthma and allergies under control. You may have more asthma attacks, emergency room visits, or even hospital stays.

Some indoor air pollutants – such as tobacco smoke and radon – can have other serious effects on your health and can cause cancer.

Air quality in schools is a serious concern. At school, children are often exposed to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, and mold. Harsh cleaners and scents, as well as fumes from idling buses, can trigger asthma symptoms. Respiratory infections, which can trigger asthma symptoms, tend to spread more during school months, especially during the fall and winter.

Exposure to asthma triggers at school may result in asthma that is harder to control, is associated with poorer school performance, and can lead to an increase in missed school days.

Workplaces can have poor indoor air quality too. This can lead to occupational asthma. Any work that causes small particles to enter the air can lead to poor air quality in the workplace. These small airborne particles can get breathed into the lungs and cause problems (e.g., tightening and inflammation of the airways). For example, bakers may inhale small airborne particles of flour. This can affect the lungs and cause occupational asthma (otherwise known as baker’s asthma).

Poor indoor air quality in the workplace also affects more than our lungs. It can also impact mental function, ability to focus, and work productivity.3

How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality in My Home?

Here are 10 ways you can reduce the sources of allergens and irritants throughout your home:

  1. Set up regular cleaning routines.
  2. Vacuum carpets weekly. Replace carpets with solid flooring (like hardwood or laminate flooring) when/if possible.
  3. Wash bedding and throw rugs weekly in hot water.
  4. Remove strong scents. Use unscented, gentle cleaners. Don’t use scented candles, wax warmers, plugins, and potpourri.
  5. Fix leaks as soon as possible.
  6. Have everyone take off their shoes when they enter your home.
  7. Keep pets out of bedrooms. Wipe pets down with a towel after they have been outside. Bathe them weekly if they tolerate it.
  8. Keep your home’s humidity levels between 30 and 50%. If you live in a wet climate, consider using a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your home. This will help to reduce dust mites and prevent mold growth.
  9. Keep windows closed during peak pollen times or during times of high outdoor pollution, if possible.
  10. Use HEPA filters on your heating/cooling systems and portable HEPA air cleaners.

 

Healthier Home Checklist – Use our interactive Healthier Home Checklist to help you improve your indoor air quality and reduce allergy and asthma triggers around your home.

An illustration of a house and the text Healthier Home Checklist How to improve your indoor air quality and reduce allergy and asthma triggers

How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality in My School?

Here are 10 steps school staff can do to help improve indoor air quality, such as:

  1. Don’t allow buses to idle near school buildings.
  2. Use only district-approved, unscented and low-VOC cleaning products and methods.
  3. Don’t use scented candles, scent or essential oil diffusers, or scented personal hygiene products (e.g., perfumes, colognes, soaps, and lotions).
  4. Don’t allow warm-blooded pets in classrooms.
  5. Fix leaks immediately before they have the chance to grow mold.
  6. Do not use air cleaners with ionizing features or that release harmful levels of ozone.
  7. Keep windows closed when pollen is high or outdoor air quality is poor, if possible.
  8. Keep humidity between 30 to 50% to reduce dust mites and help prevent mold growth.
  9. Use integrated pest management as a way of controlling pests such as cockroaches and mice.
  10. Do regular maintenance, cleaning, and filter replacement on the central heating and cooling systems. Consider portable HEPA air cleaners in rooms with poor ventilation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also offers several resources for school staff who want to learn more about creating healthy indoor school environments.

How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality in My Workplace?

To reduce work absences due to asthma, employers can improve air quality in the workplace by taking these 10 steps:

  1. Improve ventilation in indoor spaces and use appropriate and effective air cleaning and air filtration devices to remove small particles from the air.
  2. Create a policy for employees that discourages strong scents/odors (no heavy perfume, cologne, essential oils, potpourri, etc.).
  3. Provide appropriate masks for workers exposed to high levels of air pollution (such as N95 respirators).
  4. Schedule cleaning and dusting to occur when employees with asthma are not around.
  5. Reduce overall emissions, fuel burning, and exhaust fumes in and around the workplace.
  6. Encourage employees to go tobacco smoke and e-cigarette free (offer incentives!) and create a no-smoking zone around the workplace.
  7. Reduce excess moisture that may be causing mold growth indoors.
  8. Use appropriate pest control to reduce cockroach and mouse infestation.
  9. Install air quality sensors to monitor your workplace’s indoor air quality.
  10. Do regular maintenance, cleaning, and filter replacement on the central heating and cooling systems. Consider portable HEPA air cleaners in areas with poor ventilation.

Asthma allergy friendly certified productsThere are ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce exposure to allergens and airway irritants. Many products promise to help control allergens but not all of them do. Look for the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Mark when you are shopping for products. It indicates the product has passed our testing standards to help you have a healthier indoor environment.

Visit aafa.org/certified to search for Certified products such as vacuums, paint, bedding, flooring, air cleaners and filters.

Medical Review: October 2024 by John James, MD

Closed
Drug Company Assistance Programs

The medicines covered by the programs below may change at any time. The following medicines are covered as of Jan. 24, 2025.

Company:

  • AstraZeneca

Medicines offered:

  • AIRSUPRA®

If you have commercial insurance: If you have employer-provided or individual private (commercial) insurance, you may be able to get AIRSUPRA for as low as $0 with the SUPRA Savings Card.

If you have government insurance: For people with Medicare Part D coverage, the average out-of-pocket cost is $89 per month. For people with Medicaid, the out-of-pocket costs range from $.99-$13 per month. Some states offer even lower copays or eliminate the copay altogether. If you have Medicare Part D and cannot afford AIRSUPRA, you may be eligible for the patient assistance program, AZ&Me.

If you have no insurance: If you do not have health insurance or your insurance does not cover AIRSUPRA, you will pay the amount determined by your pharmacy. You may also be eligible for the patient assistance program, AZ&Me.

Learn more on the Cost Assistance with AIRSUPRA website or call 866-480-0030.

Company:

  • AstraZeneca

Medicines offered:

  • BEVESPI AEROSPHERE®
  • BREZTRI AEROSPHERE®
  • SYMBICORT®
  • FASENRA®
  • TEZSPIRE®

If you have commercial insurance, government insurance, or no insurance:

AstraZeneca US Patient Support offers various savings for several of their medicines. They offer copay savings cards and patient assistance programs depending on what type of insurance you have.

For more information, visit AZPatientSupport or call 800-236-9933.

AstraZeneca has capped the cost of their inhalers to $35 if you have commercial or private insurance. Learn more about the price cap.

Company:

  • AstraZeneca

Medicines offered:

  • TEZSPIRE®

If you have commercial insurance: The TEZSPIRE Together Co-Pay Program can help may help you save regardless of income if you qualify. Get doses for as little as $0 and up to $100 off your in-office administration costs (pre-filled syringe only). Learn more on the TEZSPIRE Together Co-Pay Program website or call 888-987-7473.

If you have government insurance: The TEZSPIRE Together Program, you may be able receive TEZSPIRE at no cost if you qualify. This includes people who:

  • Are uninsured
  • Have Medicare Part B with no supplemental insurance
  • Have a Medicare Advantage plan with an affordability gap
  • Have insurance that does not cover TEZSPIRE

For more information, call 888-987-7473.

Company:

  • Boehringer Ingelheim

Medicines offered:

  • Atrovent® HFA
  • Combivent® Respimat®
  • Spiriva® Respimat®
  • Stiolto® Respimat®
  • Striverdi® Respimat®

If you have commercial insurance or don’t have insurance: If you qualify, your cost will automatically be discounted when you buy these inhalers at participating retail pharmacies. If your cost is more than $35, download and use a savings card. Learn more at: InhalerOffer.com

If you have government-funded insurance: If you use Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or TRICARE, visit the Boehinger Cares Patient Assistance Program webpage or call 800-556-8317 to apply for assistance.

Boehringer Ingelheim has capped the cost of their inhalers to $35 if you have commercial or private insurance. Learn more about the price cap.

Company:

  • Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Medicines offered:

  • DUPIXENT®

If you have commercial insurance: The Dupixent MyWay® Copay Card may help you lower the cost of your copay. Learn more on the Dupixent MyWay Copay Card website or call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1.

If you don't have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover Dupixent: You can apply for the DUPIXENT MyWay Patient Assistance Program. For more information or to sign up, call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1.

If you have Medicare: At this time, there is not a savings program for Dupixent if you have Medicare. Call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1 for more information.

If you have Medicaid: Your copay and coverage may vary depending on what state you live in. If you meet the criteria, you may also be able to get help from the DUPIXENT MyWay Patient Assistance Program. For more information or to sign up, call 844-DUPIXENT (844-387-4936), option 1.

Medicines covered:

  • Epinephrine devices – all brands

Savings programs:

Company:

  • Genentech

Medicines offered:

  • Xolair®

If you have commercial insurance: Genentech offers a copay savings program for Xolair. You may also be able to get help from an independent copay assistance foundation. Pdf icon

If you have government insurance or don’t have insurance: You may be able to get help from an independent copay assistance foundation. Find programs. Pdf icon

Company:

  • GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)

Medicines offered:

  • ARNUITY ELIPTA
  • ANORO ELLIPTA
  • BREO ELLIPTA
  • INCRUSE ELLIPTA
  • NUCALA®
  • SEREVENT®
  • TRELEGY®

If you have commercial insurance: You may be eligible for the GSK Copay Assistance Program.

If you have Medicare or no insurance: You may qualify for the GSK Patient Assistance Program. This program can help you receive certain GSK prescription medicines and vaccines at no cost.

For more information, visit GSK Patient Assistance Program & Savings Offers or call 888-825-5249.

GSK has capped the cost of their inhalers to $35 if you have commercial or private insurance. Learn more about the price cap.

Company:

  • GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)

Medicines offered:

  • NUCALA®

If you have commercial insurance: If you have a commercial medical or prescription insurance plan, you may be able to take part on the NUCALA Copay Program. If you are approved, the GSK Copay Program may help with your cost share for NUCALA and the your cost share for administration up to the total annual copay program maximums.

If you have government insurance or no insurance: You are not eligible for this program if you are covered by any federal or state prescription insurance program.

For more information, visit the NUCALA Copay Program website or call 800-691-1939.

Company:

  • Organon

Medicines offered:

  • ASMANEX® HFA
  • ASMANEX® TWISTHALER®
  • DULERA®

If you have commercial insurance: If you qualify, you may be able to save with an ASMANEX Multiuse Savings Coupon.

If you qualify, you may pay as little as $15 per Dulera prescription on each of up to 12 qualifying prescriptions. The maximum savings is $90 per prescription.

If you have government insurance or no insurance: At this time, there is no assistance program if you have Medicaid or Medicare.

Company:

  • Teva

Medicines Covered:

  • QVAR RediHaler®
  • CINQAIR®

Teva Cares Patient Assistance Program provides certain Teva medicines at no cost if you live in the United States and meet specific insurance and income criteria. Learn more about program eligibility.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the Teva Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Programs, you may be eligible for help from other programs they offer.

For more information, visit the Teva Cares Foundation website or call 888-838-2872.

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Pharmacy Drug Savings Programs

Program Name:

Contact Information:

About the Program:

  • Blink Health finds the lowest price for the medicines you need. Find discounted prescription prices on more than 15,000 medicines.

Program Name:

Contact Information:

About the Program:

  • BlinkRx is a digital pharmacy service that carries certain medicines. They can provide the lowest prescription price while providing free home delivery.

Program Name:

Contact Information:

  • 855-268-2822

About the Program:

  • GoodRx is a free resource that lets you compare medicine prices and find discounts.

Looking for savings on asthma inhalers? See the GoodRx Savings Guide for ways you may be able to save money on 25 asthma inhalers.

Program Name:

Contact Information:

  • 833-317-2937

About the Program:

  • The Kroger Health Savings Club is an annual membership program that entitles members to reduced prices on prescription drugs.

Program Name:

Contact Information:

About the Program:

Program Name:

Contact Information:

  • 888-331-1002

About the Program:

  • The SCBN Prescription Assistance program is for uninsured or underinsured people who cannot afford their prescribed medicines.
  • The program requires a membership fee to participate.

Program Name:

Contact Information:

  • Contact your local Walmart pharmacy

About the Program:

  • The Walmart low-cost Prescription Program includes up to a 30-day supply for $4 and a 90-day supply for $10 of some covered generic drugs at commonly prescribed dosages. Prices for some drugs covered by the program may vary by state.

Program Name:

Contact Information:

  • 877-296-4673

About the Program:

  • Prescription Hope provides access to brand-name medicines for only $60 a month per medication through their medication access service. Learn about program eligibility.

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Nonprofit Copay and Premium Assistance Programs

Organization:

Contact Information:

About the Program:

  • AcariaHealth provides specialty pharmacy services for people living with complex and chronic health conditions. Their Copay Assistance Support Team will research and apply to qualifying patient assistance programs on behalf of the patient. Learn about the program.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 800-366-7741

About the Program:

  • Accessia Health provides financial help to pay for copays, health insurance premiums, travel costs, and other medical expenses. Learn about program eligibility.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 877-968-7233

About the Program:

  • Good Days provides financial support for people who cannot afford the treatment they urgently need.
  • Copay, travel, premium, and diagnostic testing assistance may be available.
  • Learn about eligibility criteria.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 980-859-3483
  • gro.htaprobrah@ofni

About the Program:

Organization:

Contact Information:

About the Program:

  • HealthWell Foundation provide financial assistance to help with prescription copays, travel costs, behavioral health services, health insurance premiums, deductibles, and copays. Please note that diseases covered may change from time to time.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 866-316-7263

About the Program:

  • The PAN Foundation offers financial help for out-of-pocket medicine costs including copays, health insurance premiums, and transportation costs related to medical care. Learn about program eligibility. Please note that diseases covered may change from time to time.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 866-512-3861

About the Program:

  • PAF’s Co-Pay Relief (CPR) program provides direct financial help to qualified people with co-payments, co-insurance or cost-sharing associated with prescription drugs through funds for specific disease states. Learn about program eligibility. Please note that diseases covered may change from time to time.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  •  800-769-3880

About the Program:

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 855-845-3663

About the Program:

  • TAF helps people and families by providing them with financial help for their copays, coinsurance, premiums, deductibles, and other health-related expenses.

 

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Patient Assistance Tools and Databases

Tool:

Contact Information:

  • 800-794-6559

More Information:

  • BenefitsCheckUp® is a free service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA). It is an online tool to connect older adults and people with disabilities to benefit programs such as health care, medicine, food, utilities, and more.

Tool:

Contact Information:

About the Program:

  • Dispensary of Hope provides medicine to communities, free of cost. They are a charitable medication distributor dedicated to providing pharmacies and clinics with reliable access to medication that was generously donated by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Find a dispensing site near you, here.

Tool:

Contact Information:

  • 800-503-6897
  • gro.sdemydeen@ofni

More Information:

  • A national nonprofit that connects people to programs that may help them afford their medicines and other health care costs.

Tool:

Contact Information:

  • 571-350-8643

More Information:

  • PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) is a search engine for many patient assistance resources offered by drug makers.

Tool:

Contact Information:

More Information:

Tool:

Contact Information:

More Information:

  • SingleCare works with pharmacies on discounts on prescriptions. Look up prescriptions to find the lowest prices in your area.

Tool:

Contact Information:

  • 800-719-5147
  • moc.esnesxr@rednifsgnivasxr

About the Program:

  • Walgreens Rx Savings Finder can help you find prescription discount cards that can help you find the lowest price on a medicine at Walgreens.

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State Drug Assistance Programs

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 800-772-1213
  • (TTY 800-325-0778)

More Information:

  • The Extra Help program helps people with limited income and resources lower or cut Medicare Part D costs.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • 877-839-2675
  • gro.htlaehpihs@ofni

More Information:

  • Free insurance counseling and help to Medicare-eligible people, their families, and caregivers.

Organization:

Contact Information:

  • Contact your local county office.

More Information:

  • CalAIM offers people on Medi-Cal access to services that address ​physical, behavioral, developmental, dental, and long-term care needs.

Organization:

More Information:

Organization:

More Information:

  • Learn more about pharmaceutical companies that offer programs to help pay for prescriptions for people with a Medicare Drug Plan (Part D).

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Community Resources

American Sleep Apnea Association: Assists people with sleep apnea who cannot afford their CPAP mask supplies through the CPAP Assistance Program.

Friends of Man: Receives applications for mobility equipment, prosthetics, home modifications, medical equipment, hearing aids, basic needs and much more. The referral must be made by a professional. This includes caseworkers, case managers, health care workers, social workers, school counselors, teachers, and clergy.

FoodFinder: A map of food pantries across the United States. Search your ZIP code to learn about free food assistance programs near you.

FundFinder: Helps you find financial assistance from charitable foundations.

Inspira Financial: Funds in a health savings account (HSA) or a health care flexible spending account (FSA) can be used for eligible medical expenses.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul: A national non-profit that provides local assistance and services.

United Way 211: The most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country.

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AAFA Regional Chapters

The AAFA New England Chapter has more information on drug assistance for Massachusetts residents.

The AAFA Michigan Chapter has more information on drug assistance for Michigan residents, including the Jared Williams Medication Fund (JWMF).