3 Key Steps to Cleaner, Healthier Air
Improving indoor air quality is easier than you think. By understanding the sources of pollutants and taking simple, targeted actions, you can breathe cleaner, healthier air every day.
Step 1
Control pollutants at the source
Air purifiers capture particles and chemical pollutants you can’t see, helping keep your space healthy. Using a properly sized HEPA or HyperHEPA purifier, tracking air quality with a monitor, and maintaining filters according to manufacturer recommendations ensures your purifier is effective.
See how ventilation can further improve your air...
Step 2
Ventilate your space
Bringing in fresh air helps dilute indoor pollutants and improve overall air quality. Open windows when outdoor air is clean or use mechanical ventilation systems, and combine ventilation with source control for the best results.
Learn how purification and monitoring complete the process...
Step 3
Purify and monitor your air
Improving indoor air quality is easier than you think. By identifying pollution sources and taking targeted actions such as using a properly sized air purifier, ventilating when outdoor air is clean, and tracking changes with an indoor monitor, you can ensure your space stays healthy and breathe cleaner, healthier air every day.
Discover how our air purifiers create cleaner, healthier air.
Indoor vs Outdoor Connection
How outdoor air affects indoor air
Vehicle exhaust releases fine particles (PM₂.₅) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) into the air.
Factories and construction sites release gases and dust that can infiltrate buildings.
Dust, tire wear, and road particles contribute to outdoor air pollution.
Pollen, dust, and smog levels vary by season, so outdoor air quality can fluctuate and impact what enters your home or workplace.
Homes or offices near busy roads, industrial areas, or wildfire-prone regions are more exposed, and the way a building is ventilated determines how much outdoor pollution gets inside.
The air you breathe indoors is directly affected by outdoor pollution.
Breathing clean air supports health, comfort, and productivity.
Outdoor air can enter through windows, doors, and small gaps, carrying pollutants indoors.
Mechanical ventilation can bring in fresh air. Filters are needed to remove particles and gases.
HEPA or HyperHEPA purifiers reduce fine particles, allergens, and pollutants for cleaner indoor air.
Tips for Homes, Schools, and Workplaces
Cleaner Air at Home
Indoor air at home can be affected by everyday pollutants such as cooking fumes and cleaning chemicals to pet dander and outdoor pollution that seeps inside. IQAir’s home air purifiers and air quality monitors help you identify and reduce these pollutants, creating a cleaner, healthier space for your family.
- Cooking fumes: Reduce smoke and odors from stoves and ovens.
- Cleaning chemicals: Limit exposure to VOCs from household products.
- Pet dander & allergens: Capture hair, dust, and pollen with HEPA filtration.
- Outdoor pollution: Prevent smoke, dust, and fine particles from entering your home.
- Monitor & purify: Use IQAir devices to track air quality and maintain a clean-air sanctuary.
Healthy Classrooms
Classrooms and common areas can accumulate pollutants from students, activities, and outdoor air. IQAir’s air purifiers and monitors help create a safer learning environment by reducing allergens, dust, and fine particles.
- Classroom dust & allergens: Capture pollen, dust, and pet dander brought from outside.
- High occupancy CO₂: Maintain healthy ventilation to support focus and comfort.
- Outdoor pollution: Reduce smoke, traffic, and industrial particles that enter the building.
- Cleaning chemicals: Limit exposure to VOCs from disinfectants and art supplies.
- Monitor & purify: Track indoor air quality and ensure clean air for students and staff.
Our consultants are ready to help you find the right solutions
Productive Workspaces
Offices and commercial spaces can accumulate pollutants from employees, equipment, and outdoor sources. Using IQAir purifiers and monitors helps maintain a comfortable, productive environment.
- Office dust & allergens: Capture dust, pollen, and dander to reduce irritants.
- CO₂ & ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow for focus and energy.
- Outdoor pollution: Minimize smoke, traffic, and industrial particles from entering.
- Cleaning chemicals: Reduce VOC exposure from cleaning products.
- Monitor & purify: Track and improve indoor air quality for employees and visitors.
Our consultants are ready to help you find the right solutions
What’s really in the air you breathe?
Indoor air often contains invisible pollutants, including dust, ultrafine particles, and chemicals released by furniture, cleaning products, or cooking. Find out which pollutants may be in your home or office and how to reduce them for cleaner, healthier air.
VOC’s
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are found in many products we use to build and maintain our homes. Once these chemicals are in our homes, they are released or “off-gas” into the indoor air we breathe. They may or may not be able to be smelled, and smelling is not a good indicator of health risk.
Suitable Products:
HealthPro Plus, HealthPro 250
Find out more about Formaldehyde next and why it should be removed...
Formaldehyde
Consumer products emit formaldehyde
Indoor sources may be combustion processes such as smoking, heating, cooking, or candle or incense burning. However, major sources in non-smoking environments appear to be building materials and consumer products that emit formaldehyde. This applies to new materials and products but can last several months.
Suitable Products:
HealthPro Plus, HealthPro 250
Find out why PM2.5 particles are harmful and why they should be removed...
PM2.5
Particles measure 2.5 microns or less in diameter
EPA is especially concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because these particles are inhalable. Once inhaled, particles can affect the heart and lungs and in some cases cause serious health effects.
Atem Series, HealthPro Plus, HealthPro 250, HealthPro Compact, HealthPro 100
Next find out more about more harmful sources of pollutants like nitrogen dioxide...
NO2
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Road traffic is the principal outdoor source of nitrogen dioxide. The most important indoor sources include tobacco smoke and gas-, wood-, oil-, kerosene- and coal-burning appliances such as stoves, ovens, space and water heaters and fireplaces, particularly unflued or poorly maintained appliances.
Suitable Products:
Atem Series, HealthPro Plus, HealthPro 250, HealthPro Compact, HealthPro 100
The next pollutant, sulfur dioxide is released into the environment from various sources...
SO2
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Most of the sulfur dioxide released into the environment comes from electric utilities, especially those that burn coal. Some other sources of sulfur dioxide include petroleum refineries, cement manufacturing, paper pulp manufacturing, and metal smelting and processing facilities.
Suitable Products:
Atem Series, HealthPro Plus, HealthPro 250, HealthPro Compact, HealthPro 100
Our air purifiers remove these and other harmful pollutants from your environment
Ready to improve your air?
Explore our full range of air purifiers designed for homes, schools, and workplaces. From personal devices to whole-room systems, find the right solution for your space.
Air quality monitors are designed to detect pollutants
In your home or outdoors our monitors detect and report on harmful particles and gases. The AirVisual Pro is designed to monitor 5 environmental parameters, while the AirVisual Outdoor can monitor up to 8 environmental parameters.
PM1
Particulate matter (PM)
Less than 1 micron in size is called PM1 (sometimes PM1.0). PM1 is considered especially dangerous due to its extremely small size. The smaller the diameter of a particle, the more harm it can typically cause. Tiny airborne particles like PM1 are small enough to penetrate lung tissue and get into the bloodstream. PM1 can then circulate throughout the body and cause systemic health effects.
Suitable Product:
AirVisual Outdoor
PM2.5
Particles measure 2.5 microns or less in diameter.
PM2.5 particles are so small they can only be seen with an electron microscope. Of all air pollution measures, PM2.5 pollution poses the greatest health threat (1). Due to its small size, PM2.5 can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and can be absorbed deep into the bloodstream upon inhalation.
Suitable Products:
AirVisual Pro & AirVisual Outdoor
PM10
Suspended coarse particulate matter (PM10)
PM10 is suspended coarse particulate matter, either solid or liquid, with a diameter of 10 micrometers (µm) or less. For comparison, a human hair is, on average, 50 to 70 µm in diameter.
Suitable Product:
AirVisual Outdoor
CO2
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
At room temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas formed from carbon and oxygen atoms. The fourth most common gas found in the earth’s atmosphere next to nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, CO2can also be liquid or solid. In its solid form, CO2 is known as dry ice.
Suitable Products:
AirVisual Pro & Optional modules for AirVisual Outdoor
AQI
Air Quality Index
AQI, or Air Quality Index, is a system for translating sometimes confusing or unintuitive pollutant concentration measurements, into one easy-to-understand scale to clearly represent the health risk posed by ambient air pollution.
Suitable Products:
AirVisual Pro & AirVisual Outdoor
Temp
Temperature is vital for air quality monitoring
Temperature affects pollutant formation, dispersion, and sensor accuracy. High temperatures can increase pollution, while temperature inversions trap pollutants, worsening air quality. Monitoring it helps predict pollution risks and ensures accurate readings.
Suitable Products:
AirVisual Pro & AirVisual Outdoor
Humidity
Humidity is important for air quality monitoring
Humidity affects health, pollutant behavior, and sensor accuracy. High humidity can worsen respiratory issues, promote mold, and alter pollutant levels, while low humidity increases virus spread. Monitoring it ensures a healthier environment.
Suitable Products:
AirVisual Pro & AirVisual Outdoor
ATM
Barometric Pressure
Barometric pressure is important for monitoring air quality because it affects the movement and dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere. High pressure systems can cause stagnant air conditions, trapping pollutants close to the ground and leading to poor air quality. In contrast, low pressure systems can enhance air circulation, dispersing pollutants more effectively.
Suitable Products:
AirVisual Outdoor
Want to see what’s in your air?
Understanding the air you breathe is the first step to effective improvement. Use our air quality monitors and app to track pollutants and see when to ventilate, filter, or take action.
Start measuring your air
Explore our air quality monitors for indoor and outdoor use. Track real-time PM2.5, AQI, CO2, and environmental conditions to better understand what you are breathing.
AirVisual
Want the big picture of air pollution?
We have an app for that.
Historical, real-time, and forecast air pollution data
Receive detailed figures on key air pollutants in more than 5,000 cities in over 100 countries.
7-day air pollution and weather forecasts
Plan your outdoor activities to optimize comfort and health.
Air quality alerts
Get notified when outdoor air quality isn't up to your standards.
Real-time air quality and weather information
Live global coverage of key air pollution and weather parameters.
Air pollution news and educational resources
Stay up to date on air pollution current events, medical findings and breaking news.
Health recommendations
Get personalized recommendations on helping to protect yourself from air pollution.
IQAir AirVisual app
FAQ's about improving air quality
Improving air quality is the next step to protecting your health and creating a cleaner indoor environment.
Control pollutant sources, ventilate wisely, and filter the air—then verify with monitoring.
Ventilate when outdoor air is good; keep windows closed and rely on filtration when outdoor AQ is poor (e.g., wildfire smoke).
Yes—high-efficiency filtration removes fine smoke particles that impact health.
Indoor air monitoring verifies filtration results, guides ventilation timing, and alerts you when conditions change. Outdoor air monitoring allows you to understand the bigger picture, as outdoor pollution can infiltrate your indoor spaces.
Cooking with wood, charcoal, or other biomass indoors produces smoke, fine particles (PM₂.₅), and harmful gases like carbon monoxide. Without proper ventilation, these pollutants build up, increasing the risk of respiratory and heart problems.
Use an indoor air quality monitor to track pollutants at home or work, and follow local news or apps for nearby cities to get a general sense of outdoor air quality.
PM2.5 are tiny particles that can reach deep into your lungs and bloodstream, while PM10 are larger particles like dust or pollen that mainly affect the upper respiratory system.
It depends on the purifier and air conditions, but generally every 6–12 months. Check the device’s indicator or manufacturer guidelines for best results.
