Facts and Figures

Canadians' Views on Indoor Air Quality

Most people are unaware of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) health issues and don't look for information about it until it becomes a personal problem. A study by the Environics Research Group revealed the following:

• Canadians spend over 90% of their time indoors;
• One in four Canadians report that they or someone in their household have experienced health problems linked to indoor air quality;
• While 65% of Canadians believe that outdoor air can be a major health concern, only 15% feel the same way about indoor air;
• Most people know that air quality can be affected by second-hand smoke and poor ventilation, but few know that it can also be affected by household products such as new materials, cleaning products and air fresheners; and
• People in larger cities are generally more concerned with household indoor air quality than people in smaller communities.