Abstract

Because of the disproportionate amount of time that people
spend indoors and the complexities of air pollutant exposures
found there, indoor air pollution is a growing concern for
airway health. Both infiltration of outdoor air pollution into the
indoor space and indoor sources (such as smoke from tobacco
products, cooking or heating practices and combustion of
associated fuels, and household materials) contribute to unique
exposure mixtures. Although there is substantial literature on
the chemistry of indoor air pollution, research focused on health
effects is only beginning to emerge and remains an important
area of need to protect public health. We provide a review of
emerging literature spanning the past 3 years and relating indoor air exposures to airway health, with a specific focus on the impact of either individual pollutant exposures or common combustion sources on the lower airways. Factors defining
susceptibility and/or vulnerability are reviewed with consideration for priority populations and modifiable risk factors that may be targeted to advance health equity.

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