The majority of air pollution is linked to the quality of the air outside. That's because the facts about indoor air quality aren't well known. The majority of us believe that the air outside is more polluted.

However, it appears that the air I breathe indoors is potentially more dangerous than the air I breathe outdoors.

Mold, toxic compounds found in almost every home, dust, toxic fuels, and minute particles are the obvious culprits.

But where to start?

Take a deep breath and go through some of the most shocking indoor air quality stats.

#01. 91% of the World's Population Breathes Extremely Polluted Air

The World Health Organization¹ says that indoor air pollution is a significant threat to the climate and people's health, according to indoor air pollution facts.

According to the WHO's indoor air quality criteria, over 80% of the urban population breaths poor-quality air in locations where air pollution is monitored.

#02. Indoor VOC Concentrations Are at Least 10 Times Higher Than Outdoor, Regardless of Building Location

VOCs (volatile organic compounds)² are gases that contain a variety of chemicals that are emitted from certain liquids or solids, some of which might have short- and long-term negative health consequences.

Because VOCs can be generated by a variety of goods, such as cleaners, solvents, aerosols, and air fresheners, indoor VOC concentrations can be up to ten times higher than outside.

#03. Every Year, Over 7 Million People Die as a Result of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution

According to WHO figures on indoor air quality, low- and middle-income countries are the hardest hit by air pollution, both indoor and outdoor.

Acute respiratory infections, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and other illnesses are caused by the combination of the two.

#04. Benzene, Carbon Monoxide, Environmental Tobacco Smoke, Formaldehyde, Lead, Naphthalene, and Radon Are Among the Most Harmful Indoor Air Pollutants

These pollutants are considered the most dangerous by the European Commission.

More data on the cumulative impacts of air pollution should be obtained from throughout the world, according to the report, enabling for better indoor air quality rules and guidelines.

#05. Annually, up to 3.8 Million People Die as a Result of Smoke Inhalation From Cooking Fires

According to air pollution data, poor home indoor air quality causes premature death and sickness in the developing countries.

Households in low- and middle-income nations rely on coal, dung, and wood to heat their homes.

They also use dangerous stoves that emit a variety of pollutants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide³.

Contaminants such as these have been linked to respiratory ailments and possibly cancer.

#06. The Most Prevalent Causes of Early Death Caused by Indoor Pollution Are Pneumonia and Ischemic Heart Disease

Some facts on indoor air quality are dismal, but they must be shared.

Ischemic heart disease (27%), pneumonia (27%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease⁴ (20%), stroke (18%), and lung cancer are the primary causes of the 3.8 million deaths indicated above (8%).

#07. When Cooking, About 3 Billion People Use Stoves or Open Flames, Which Contaminate the Air

Not only do millions of people die as a direct result of poor cooking techniques, but there are other additional irreparable repercussions as well.

Poor indoor air quality paired with insufficient ventilation systems might result in 100 times more fine soot particles in the home.

#08. Over the Previous Three Decades, the Number of People Killed by Filthy Indoor Air Has Decreased by More Than a Million

In the last 30 years, trends in indoor air quality have actually improved. In 1990, it was predicted that 2.7 million people died prematurely as a result of home air pollution.

In 2017, the figure fell to 1.6 million. Despite the fact that the number of these deaths has been continuously reducing globally, the death rate in Zimbabwe has climbed marginally.

#09. Airborne Germs, Dust, Mould, and Pollen Particles as Small As 0.3 Microns Are Removed 99.97% by High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters

Indoor air quality data are fascinating since these filters are the strongest line of protection against a wide range of harmful tiny particles.

Because 0.3 microns is the size of the worst, most penetrating sort of particle, the filters indicate it.

#10. Air Pollution Is Responsible For 80% Of Lung Illnesses

Despite the fact that smoking is the most well-known cause of lung disease, over 80% of lung diseases are caused by air pollution produced by automobiles and other fossil-fuel-burning machinery.

#11. The Majority of the UK's Air Pollution Levels Exceed EU Standards

Most parts of the UK are above EU air pollution regulations, but government plans won't get pollution levels down to legal levels until at least 2020 and 2025 in London.

#12. People Who Reside in Close Proximity to High-Traffic Regions Have a Higher Risk of Lung-Related Disease

People who reside near high-traffic regions have a higher risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and bronchitis⁵ because these locations have higher concentrations of air pollution.

#13. 45% Of Children Under the Age of 5 Who Die Due to Pneumonia Became Ill From Indoor Air Pollutants

According to air pollution statistics, nearly half of all children under the age of five who die from pneumonia breathed harmful particulates.

Adult deaths from pneumonia induced by household air pollution account for 28% of all adult mortality.

These are some alarming statistics on the quality of indoor air, yet they are accurate.

#14. Air Pollution Claims the Lives of Around 13,000 UK People Each Year

According to MIT research, over 13,000 UK citizens die every year as a result of air pollution.

#15. A British Study Revealed an Increase in Colds & Bronchitis Among Children Whose Homes Had Gas Ovens

Colds and bronchitis were shown to be more common in youngsters whose households had gas ovens, according to a British study.

Long-term respiratory difficulties, as well as heart disease and cancer, have been linked to nitrogen dioxide.

#16. More Than 40% Pollution Is Being Produced Because of Heavy Crude Production

Heavy crude production raises the risk of contamination by roughly 40% when compared to lighter crude production.

#17. Each Year, the European Union Spends 161 Billion Euros on Deaths Caused by Air Pollution

The European Union spends 161 billion euros each year on premature deaths caused by air pollution.

#18. In 2016, 60% of the World's Population Had Access To Clean Cooking Fuels

Indoor air quality fun facts from My World in Data show a positive trend. To put things in perspective, only 49% of all households had access to clean fuels in 2000.

#19. Every Day, You Breath 15,000 to 20,000 Quarts of Air

You're probably aware of the health benefits of clean water, which you consume on a daily basis in the amount of two quarts.

However, most individuals are either unaware of or disregard the necessity of inhaling clean air.

#20. 6.5 Million Die Annually Because of Air Pollution

Air pollution is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 6.5 million fatalities per year.

#21. About 3% Of Total UK Lung Cancer Deaths Contributed by Residential Radon Exposure

Residential radon exposure is thought to have led to roughly 1,000 (or 3% of total) UK lung cancer deaths in 2009, according to the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Independent Advisory Group on Ionizing Radiation.

In smokers and ex-smokers, the majority of these cases were caused by a combination of radon and ETS exposure.

#22. 12% Of Heart Attacks Contributed by Traffic & Air Pollution

Traffic and air pollution are the leading causes of heart attacks worldwide, accounting for 12% of all heart attacks.

#23. ETS in the Home Is Considered To Be the Cause of 11,000 Fatalities Every Year in the UK

In the United Kingdom, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer death, accounting for 90% of all cases.

ETS in the house is thought to be responsible for 11,000 deaths in the UK each year because to lung cancer, strokes, and heart disease.

#24. Asthma Rates Have Increased by 72%

Parents of small children or those considering starting a family should be especially worried about the air quality in their homes.

As it can impair your child's development both in and out of the womb, as well as increase their risk of getting disorders like pediatric asthma.

The prevalence of childhood asthma has risen dramatically in recent years, from 40% to 72%, according to studies, and this surge can be traced back to indoor air pollution.

#25. Life Expectancy Is Being Cut by 1.8 Years Because of Fossil Fuel-Driver Air Pollution

Air pollution caused by fossil fuels has reduced worldwide life expectancy by 1.8 years.

#26. Since the Implementation of Smoking Ban in All Enclosed Public Venues, Research Has Revealed a 17% Reduction in Acute Coronary Syndrome

In Scotland, research has indicated a 17% reduction in acute coronary syndrome in both smokers and nonsmokers after the ban on smoking in all enclosed public venues was implemented in July 2007.

#27. Inside, the Concentration of Ultrafine Air Pollution Particles Is 3.5 Times Higher Than Outside

Each study measured ultrafine particle pollution levels inside and outside the four families' homes for a 24-hour period, finding that indoor pollution levels were on average 3.5 times greater than outdoor pollution, peaking at 560 times outdoor pollution.

#29. 9 Individuals Out of 10 Inhale Air That Exceeds WHO Guidelines

According to WHO data, nine out of ten people breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants, with low and middle income nations bearing the brunt of the burden.

#30. Because of Air Pollution From Biological Agents in Indoor Air, the Risk of Respiratory Disease Rises by 50%

Indoor air pollution caused by biological agents in the air caused by damp and mould raises the risk of respiratory disease by 50%.

Our purifier reviews are a great way to learn more about how you can keep the air around you clean.