Answer: I don´t have a medical degree so I can´t answer your question. What I can tell you is that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has found that indoor air is typically between two and five times more contaminated than outdoor air. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.

To alleviate your future concerns, there are alternatives for better indoor air quality.

First, although not always practical, is to reduce the concentration of pollutants already in your home. These would include building materials and furnishings, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, pressed wood products and household cleaning and maintenance products.

Another way is to improve ventilation. This is best accomplished by increasing the amount of outdoor air coming in and the amount of indoor air going out. This is done by opening windows and doors and why it´s important to have bathroom and kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors.

Then there are air cleaners. Since issues have arisen with this type of product, I would suggest you check out the website for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) at www.cadr.org. Click on the "Consumer" link that will take you to a directory of certified room air cleaners and also to a page on air cleaner facts.

Lastly, many new homes have a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. It can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter. This system, in conjunction with well designed ventilation inside a well sealed structure will help control moisture and pollutants, save energy and provide a comfortable home environment.