The Health Factor You Can’t See — But Can’t Afford to Ignore. Indoor Environmental Quality

Humans spend about 90% of their time indoors (EPA, 1987), yet indoor environmental quality (IEQ) remains an overlooked health factor. The WHO (2018) found indoor air pollution increases childhood asthma risk by 40%, with 93% of children breathing toxic air daily. A 2015 Harvard study showed better ventilation and lighting in schools boost cognitive scores by 25%. For adults, the same study found enhanced air quality can double cognitive performance and reduce absenteeism by 35%. Among the elderly, a 2017 Lancet study linked indoor particulate exposure to a 21% rise in cardiovascular deaths. Radon, a colorless radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., causing 21,000 deaths yearly (EPA, 2022). Globally, the WHO (2021) attributes 3.8 million premature deaths annually to indoor air pollution. From birth to old age, the indoor environment profoundly affects health and survival—yet it remains critically under-addressed.