How can occupants help maintain high indoor air quality?

Occupants can significantly contribute to maintaining high indoor air quality through proper ventilation and reporting issues. Ensuring adequate ventilation allows for the exchange of indoor air with fresh outdoor air, which helps to dilute and remove indoor pollutants such as smoke, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Additionally, occupants play a vital role in identifying and reporting air quality problems such as unusual odors, mold growth, or signs of moisture, allowing for timely interventions to address potential sources of pollution.

In contrast, reducing water usage does not directly affect indoor air quality—while it is important for water conservation, it does not address the presence of indoor air pollutants. Increasing the use of VOC-emitting products would negatively impact air quality, as these substances can lead to a variety of health problems. Finally, avoiding all products could be impractical and unnecessary, as many products are essential for daily living and do not inherently harm air quality when used correctly. Therefore, ensuring proper ventilation and being proactive in reporting air quality concerns is the most effective way for occupants to maintain a healthy living environment.