Outdoor air pollution from factories, vehicles and wildfires is harmful for kids. But the air inside homes, schools and other indoor spaces matters, too. Indoor air can carry particles and gases that irritate growing lungs and airways, making breathing problems and infections more likely. Some indoor air pollutants can even cause lasting harm to children's lungs, brains and other organs.

Children spend up to 90% of their time inside, so the air they breathe indoors can have a big impact on their health. In fact, the levels of some air pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher indoors than they are outdoors. This means everyday indoor air can expose children to higher concentrations of harmful substances than many parents realize.

Poor indoor air quality makes children more vulnerable to colds, coughs, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. Indoor pollution can trigger severe flare-ups in kids with allergies or asthma.

There are three key ways to protect your child from indoor air pollution: getting rid of pollution sources, extra ventilation and considering where they spend time beyond the home.

1. Tackle pollution at the source.

Don't smoke or vape anywhere near your child. This includes your home, garage, yard and cars. Smoking on outdoor porches, patios and lawns isn't safe either, since smoke comes back inside through doors, windows and vents. Third-hand smoke on your clothes can harm your child, too.

Have furnaces, stoves and wood burning fireplaces checked for proper ventilation. Heating or fireplace experts can make sure that vents, ducts and other systems are working properly to remove harmful smoke and toxins created while the wood burns.

Frequent cleaning by wet-dusting and wet-mopping hard surfaces such as floors and tables with plain water or gentle cleaners can keep indoor air cleaner. Cleaning carpets with a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter vacuum can further reduce dust. For children with allergies or asthma, remove the carpet from their bedroom to prevent pollutants and allergens that can build up in the carpet. It can also be helpful to save deeper cleaning for when children are out of the house, so they don't breathe in particles stirred up during cleaning.

Keep your home cool and dry. Bathrooms, basements and other wet areas need plenty of ventilation to prevent mold and mildew. In humid climates, a dehumidifier might be the best whole-house solution.

Install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms on all levels of your home and replace batteries often. Additionally, you can test your home for radon, a colorless, odorless gas that can enter buildings through cracks in the foundation. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. Test your home, especially if you live below the third floor.

Avoid burning candles and other scented products indoors. Most scented candles and incense release chemicals while burning that can harm little lungs. Air fresheners and strongly scented products also release volatile organic compounds and other harmful pollutants. Skip the fake stuff in favor of natural choices, like cut lemons or fresh flowers or simply enjoy the freshness of a scent-free home.

Use safer cleaning products. Try cleansing windows, mirrors and floors with a water-vinegar solution. Baking soda scrubs can remove stains on tile, sinks and other hard surfaces. For tougher jobs, look for cleaners labeled "Safer Choice," "Green Seal" or "Design for the Environment" (for disinfectants). If bleach is used, make sure to dilute it in water and open windows while using. Additionally, never mix bleach with ammonia as this can create harmful gases that can cause injury.

Use safer pest control methods. Look for a local service that doesn't use toxic chemicals—or choose safer options and use integrated pest management when possible. Instead of chemicals, integrated pest management uses strategies such as getting rid of their food and water sources, sealing up points where pests get in, and eliminating clutter where they hide. If pesticides are needed, choose safer options like bait stations in areas out of reach for children.

2. Ventilate to clear the air.

In addition to going after pollutants at the source, cleaning the air is another important step.

Ventilating your home by opening windows can help clear away pollutants. However, if outdoor pollution levels are high where you live, this could make indoor air quality worse. Use the Air Quality Index to get information about local air quality and what precautions are recommended, especially for kids with asthma. On days with very high air pollution such as wildfire smoke, you may need to take steps to protect your indoor air.

Use a HEPA air purifier. These high-efficiency systems absorb tiny particles in indoor air, helping kids breathe easier. Placing a room-sized air cleaner purifier in your child's bedroom or playroom is a smart strategy (just make sure the purifier does not generate ozone). Many homes can be fitted with air filtration systems that reduce pollution in every room. There are also some lower-cost DIY air cleaners that families can make with a box fan and filter.

3. Think about other indoor spaces where your child spends time.

Sharing the clean-air tips in this article may be helpful to day care providers or friends and relatives your child visits often. If you're curious about indoor air at school, find out what steps and systems are in place to reduce pollutants. Encourage your child's school to improve indoor air quality using the recommendations in the Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program.

Kids with asthma should have a current asthma action plan on file with school, sports programs and other groups who may need to handle breathing emergencies.

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Lauren Zajac, MD, MPH, FAAP, an executive committee member and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change (COEHCC), is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Zajac serves as a pediatrician at the Region 2 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, serving New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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