What pollutants does indoor air quality (IAQ) regulations typically cover?

Indoor air quality (IAQ) regulations typically cover a set of six criteria pollutants identified by environmental agencies. These criteria pollutants, which include substances such as particulate matter, lead, ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, are recognized for their potential to harm human health and the environment. The importance of regulating these pollutants lies in their prevalence and the adverse effects they can have on indoor environments, where people spend a significant amount of time.

By focusing on these six criteria pollutants, regulations can effectively address the most common and harmful indoor air quality issues. This comprehensive approach ensures that various health impacts related to these pollutants are mitigated, supporting better environmental and public health outcomes.

In contrast, options that refer to a singular pollutant or a more limited category, such as only focusing on carbon monoxide, all volatile organic compounds, or only particulate matter, do not reflect the broader scope of IAQ regulations that consider multiple factors affecting indoor air quality.