When fragrances interact with ozone—an outdoor pollutant that enters buildings through ventilation systems—they undergo chemical transformations that generate tiny airborne pollutants. Professors Nusrat Jung and Brandon Boor from Purdue’s Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering discovered that these newly formed nanoparticles, some as small as a single nanometer, rapidly accumulate in indoor air. These particles can be inhaled deep into the respiratory system, raising concerns about long-term health effects.
“In a forest, the air is pristine, but chemically manufactured scents used indoors create significant indoor air pollution,” said Jung. The Purdue team is pioneering research into how nanoscale airborne particles form inside homes, using advanced air quality monitoring tools in their cutting-edge zero Energy Design Guidance for Engineers (zEDGE) lab—a tiny house outfitted with sensors to study indoor air quality in real-time.
Their research has revealed that a range of household products contribute to indoor nanoparticle pollution, including:
In just 20 minutes of using a fragranced product, between 100 billion and 10 trillion nanocluster aerosol particles can enter the respiratory system—comparable to the pollution from gas stoves and internal combustion engines.
To address these concerns, Jung and Boor are collaborating with industry partners to develop new air quality monitoring technologies. Their research, funded by the National Science Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is paving the way for safer indoor environments.
"Indoor air quality is often overlooked in building design, yet it directly impacts health," said Boor. "Our goal is to bridge the gap between research and real-world solutions."
As the Purdue team continues to uncover the hidden dangers of indoor air pollution, their findings may help reshape ventilation strategies and product safety standards, ultimately ensuring cleaner, healthier air in our homes.
