Indoor sources include:

• Cooking without exhaust ventilation
• Burning candles or incense
• Tobacco smoke
• Wood stoves or fireplaces
• Vacuuming without a HEPA filter
• Outdoor pollution entering through windows or doors

Health effects of PM exposure:

• Coughing, sneezing, or irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Asthma flare-ups
• Increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory illness
• Brain fog and fatigue in sensitive individuals

Even short-term exposure to high PM levels can cause problems, especially in homes with poor ventilation.