The Home Air Review: A Practical Room-by-Room Workbook

What this workbook is for

Indoor air is not a single thing. It is a mix of what comes in from outside, what is produced inside, and how the building moves air between rooms. For people with a lung condition, some of these factors can shape how comfortable breathing feels at home.

This workbook is a structured way to look at your home room by room. It is not a set of instructions and does not promise any particular result. It is a review — a way to notice what is already working, what might be worth adjusting, and which questions to bring to your care team.

Public health guidance from the CDC and the American Lung Association describes indoor air as a combination of ventilation, humidity, particulates, and chemical irritants.¹ We use that framing below.

Four basics of indoor air

These four factors interact. A well-ventilated home with high outdoor pollution may still have poor indoor air on certain days, and a tightly sealed home can trap moisture and chemicals. The review below is about noticing, not fixing everything at once.

Living room

The living room often holds the most furniture, textiles, and electronics in the home. It is also where many people spend their evenings.

What to notice

• Are there soft furnishings, rugs, or curtains that trap dust?
• Is there a fireplace, wood stove, or candles used regularly?
• Are windows openable, and is there a cross-breeze when needed?
• Is there visible dust on surfaces or around vents?

What may help some people

• Regular dusting with a damp cloth rather than dry sweeping.
• Choosing unscented cleaning products where possible.
• Opening windows briefly when outdoor air quality is good.

Kitchen

Cooking produces moisture, grease, and fine particles. This is one of the most active air-quality rooms in most homes.²

What to notice

• Is there a working extractor fan or range hood, and is it used while cooking?
• Is the fan vented outdoors, or does it recirculate?
• Are strong-smelling products used near food preparation areas?

What may help some people

• Running the extractor fan during cooking and for a few minutes afterwards.
• Opening a window briefly when outdoor air is acceptable.
• Choosing lower-smoke cooking methods where practical.

Bedroom

The bedroom matters because air quality here overlaps with sleep. Dust mites, pillows, and bedding are common sources of particles, and poor ventilation can make the room feel stuffy.

What to notice

• Is the room aired during the day?
• Are bedding and pillows washed on a regular schedule?
• Is there visible mould or damp near windows or walls?

What may help some people

• Washing bedding regularly in hot water, if the fabric allows.
• Keeping the bedroom door open when practical to improve airflow.
• Using a hygrometer to keep an eye on humidity levels.

Bathroom and laundry

Bathrooms and laundry areas are the main sources of indoor moisture. Persistent damp can encourage mould, which is a known airway irritant.¹

What to notice

• Is there a working extractor fan, and is it used during and after showers?
• Are there signs of damp on walls, ceilings, or grout?
• Is laundry dried indoors without ventilation?

What may help some people

• Running the extractor fan for ten to fifteen minutes after a shower.
• Drying laundry outdoors or in a well-ventilated space when possible.
• Addressing leaks and visible damp early.

Entryway and storage

Entryways collect outdoor particles, and storage areas can hold dust, paints, and solvents. These are easy to overlook.

What to notice

• Are shoes removed at the door, or does outdoor debris travel indoors?
• Are paints, solvents, or strong cleaners stored inside living space?
• Are stored items dusty or damp?

What may help some people

• A mat and a shoe-removal habit at the entrance.
• Storing chemicals in a well-ventilated area, ideally outside living rooms.
• Air-drying stored textiles before putting them away.

Outdoor air coming in

Indoor air is partly outdoor air. On days with wildfire smoke, high pollen, or poor urban air quality, the outdoor contribution can dominate. Public air quality indexes (AQI) offer a rough guide, but they are not personal medical measures.³

Some people find it useful to keep windows closed on high-pollution days and to rely on filtered indoor air instead. Others find that short periods of ventilation still help. The right balance depends on your home, your location, and your clinician's advice. See our article on Wildfire Smoke Days for more context.

What to discuss with your care team

• Are there specific indoor air factors you would like me to track?
• How should I interpret air quality index readings for my situation?
• Is a portable air cleaner something you would recommend I consider?
• Are there signs of damp or mould I should have checked?
• If I notice symptoms worsening at home, what would you like me to record?
• Are there cleaning products you would suggest I avoid?

Room-by-room checklist

This checklist is for your own review. It does not collect medical data and does not need to be shared.

Print version

This workbook is designed to be printable. You can print the whole guide, or just the checklist and the question list for your next appointment. If you are reviewing your home over several weeks, printing one room per page may make the process easier to pace.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Indoor Air Quality and Health.
2. American Lung Association. Cooking and Indoor Air Quality.
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics.
4. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. COPD: Living With COPD.
5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Air Purifiers and Medical Devices: What to Know.