Sources & Citations – ClearHome Neighbor

Our editorial standard: We only cite primary sources — EPA reports, CDC guidance, peer-reviewed journals, and WHO publications. We do not cite other blogs or aggregator websites as evidence. Where a claim is contested in the literature, we say so. If you spot an error or want to suggest a more recent source, contact us.

Health Risks Air Quality VOCs & PM2.5 Radon Air Purifiers HVAC & Filters Home Sealing Monitoring Kids & Pets Odor & Reporting Humidity & Mold CADR & Testing

Health Risks Near Landfills ↗ Read article

1

Adverse Health Effects of Hazardous Waste Landfills Study

Dolk H, et al. Lancet, 1998. Examined 10,000+ births within 2km of hazardous waste sites across Europe — found elevated risk of congenital anomalies.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9690988/
2

Health Effects of Exposure to Hazardous Landfill Sites Study

Elliott P, et al. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2001. UK-based cohort study on cancer and respiratory outcomes near landfill sites.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11600735/
3

Landfill Gas Emissions and Human Health EPA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Overview of landfill gas composition, migration patterns, and associated human health concerns.
epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas
4

Residential Proximity to Major US Hazardous Waste Sites and Risk of Birth Defects Study

Gilboa SM, et al. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2005.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15929890/

Indoor Air Quality ↗ Read article

5

Introduction to Indoor Air Quality EPA

U.S. EPA. Comprehensive overview of indoor air pollutant sources, health effects, and mitigation strategies. Indoor concentrations can be 2–5× higher than outdoor.
epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality
6

Air Quality Index — A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health EPA

U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. Explains AQI scale breakpoints and corresponding health guidance for PM2.5, ozone, and other pollutants.
airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/
7

Residential Air Cleaners: A Technical Summary EPA

U.S. EPA, 3rd Edition. Evidence review of portable air cleaners, whole-house filtration, and their effectiveness at reducing indoor particulate and gaseous pollutants.
EPA Residential Air Cleaners Technical Summary (PDF)

VOCs & PM2.5 ↗ Read article

8

WHO Air Quality Guidelines for Particulate Matter — PM2.5 WHO

World Health Organization, 2021 Global Air Quality Guidelines. Sets annual mean PM2.5 guideline at 5 µg/m³ and 24-hour mean at 15 µg/m³.
who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228
9

Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (PM) EPA

U.S. EPA, 2019. The scientific foundation for PM NAAQS standards — summarizes health effects of PM2.5 and PM10 exposure.
epa.gov/isa/integrated-science-assessment-isa-particulate-matter
10

Volatile Organic Compounds in the Home EPA

U.S. EPA. Identifies VOC sources, indoor concentrations (up to 10× higher than outdoors), and health effects including eye/nose/throat irritation and long-term liver and CNS effects.
epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
11

Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Emissions: A Review Study

Scheutz C, et al. Waste Management, 2011. Comprehensive review of gaseous, particulate, and odor emissions from MSW landfills and migration pathways to nearby residences.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21524575/

Radon ↗ Read article

12

Radon — Health Effects EPA

U.S. EPA. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the US, responsible for ~21,000 deaths/year. Actionable level: 4 pCi/L. Mitigation is effective above that threshold.
epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon
13

A Citizen's Guide to Radon EPA

U.S. EPA, EPA 402/K-12/002. Explains radon testing methods, interpretation of results, and mitigation options for homeowners.
epa.gov/radon/citizens-guide-radon
14

Radon at Landfill Sites Study

Ball TK, et al. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 1983. Documents elevated radon concentrations in gas emissions at landfill sites and surface migration patterns.
See PubMed for full citation

Air Purifiers & HEPA Filtration ↗ Read article

15

AHAM ANSI/AHAM AC-1 Standard for Portable Household Electric Room Air Cleaners AHAM

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Defines the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) test methodology used to rate air purifier performance across dust, smoke, and pollen metrics.
aham.org — CADR Standard
16

Effectiveness of HEPA Air Purifiers in Removing Indoor Particulate Matter Study

Weichenthal S, et al. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2008. Found portable HEPA units reduced indoor PM2.5 by 36–55% in residential settings.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18515161/
17

Activated Carbon for VOC Removal: A Review Study

Zhang X, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017. Reviews adsorption capacity of activated carbon for common indoor VOCs including benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde.
sciencedirect.com — Chemical Engineering Journal

HVAC & Filter Ratings ↗ Read article

18

ASHRAE 52.2 — Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size ASHRAE

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Defines the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) testing standard for HVAC filters.
ashrae.org — ASHRAE 52.2
19

Impact of HVAC Filter MERV Rating on Energy and Indoor Air Quality Study

Fisk WJ, et al. Indoor Air, 2002. Shows MERV 13+ filters capture >90% of PM2.5 with modest energy penalty (5–10% fan energy) in most residential systems.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12120415/

Air Sealing & Infiltration ↗ Read article

20

Air Sealing Your Home EPA

U.S. EPA Energy Star program. Identifies top infiltration locations (ceiling penetrations, duct leaks, rim joists) and quantifies potential energy and air quality improvements.
energystar.gov/campaign/seal_insulate/air_sealing
21

Residential Building Envelope Infiltration: A Review Study

Chan WR, et al. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2005. Review of US residential air leakage rates showing median ACH50 of ~7 — most homes have significant uncontrolled infiltration pathways.
buildings.lbl.gov — LBNL-59001 (PDF)
22

Stack Effect and Soil Gas Entry in Homes EPA

U.S. EPA. Explains how pressure differentials drive outdoor contaminants (including landfill gas) into homes through foundation cracks and utility penetrations.
epa.gov/radon/how-radon-enters-your-home

Air Quality Monitoring ↗ Read article

23

PurpleAir and Consumer-Grade PM Sensors: Performance Review Study

Tryner J, et al. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 2020. Performance comparison of low-cost optical sensors versus reference-grade FEM monitors — finds ±15–20% accuracy under typical conditions.
amt.copernicus.org/articles/13/4191/2020/
24

CO2 as an Indoor Air Quality Indicator Study

Persily A, de Jonge L. Indoor Air, 2017. Argues CO2 above 1000 ppm reliably indicates inadequate ventilation; reviews threshold evidence for cognitive effects above 1000–1400 ppm.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28815992/

Children & Vulnerable Populations ↗ Read article

25

Children's Health and the Environment — Air Pollution WHO

World Health Organization, 2018. Children breathe more air per body weight than adults, have developing respiratory and immune systems, and face disproportionate risk from air pollutant exposure.
who.int — Ambient Air Quality Fact Sheet
26

Health Effects of Air Pollution on Children: Review of Evidence Study

Brauer M, et al. CHEST, 2002. Review demonstrating associations between residential air pollution exposure and childhood asthma, reduced lung function, and respiratory infections.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12464940/

Landfill Odors & Reporting ↗ Read article

27

An Assessment of the Air Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills EPA

U.S. EPA, EPA-600/R-97-109. Identifies hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), methane, and ~100+ VOCs as primary odor and hazard contributors from MSW landfills. H₂S detectable at 0.0005 ppm (below harmful levels).
EPA Landfill Gas Emissions (PDF)
28

Citizen Enforcement of Environmental Law: Rights and Procedures EPA

U.S. EPA. Overview of citizen complaint processes under Clean Air Act Section 304 and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for residents affected by facility emissions.
epa.gov/enforcement/how-report-environmental-violation

Humidity & Mold ↗ Read article

29

Mold Course — Chapter 1: Introduction to Molds EPA

U.S. EPA. Mold requires moisture and organic material to grow; most mold species grow optimally at 60–80% RH. The key to mold control is moisture control.
epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-1
30

Dampness in Buildings and Health WHO

WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, 2009. Found sufficient evidence that indoor dampness increases risk of asthma, respiratory infections, and allergic rhinitis. Recommends maintaining indoor RH below 60%.
WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality — Dampness and Mould

CADR Ratings & Testing Methodology ↗ Read article

31

Sizing a Room Air Cleaner Using the CADR EPA

U.S. EPA guidance. The "2/3 rule" — CADR for smoke should equal at least ⅔ of room area in sq ft — is the industry-standard sizing guideline.
epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home
32

Performance of Portable Air Cleaners in Reducing Indoor PM2.5 — A Systematic Review Study

Morishita M, et al. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020. Meta-analysis of 12 studies confirming HEPA air cleaners reduce indoor PM2.5 concentrations by 30–60% on average.
mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/3/1021

Found an error or have a newer source? We update citations when better evidence is published.