What are the Health Effects of Unhealthy Air Quality?

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later. Immediate effects include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, cough or wheeze, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Extreme cases, such as CO poisoning, can include nausea, loss of consciousness and death. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Health effects that may show up years after exposure or after long and repeated periods of exposure include respiratory diseases such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer. Exposure to some air pollutants during pregnancy has been associated with increased chance of birth defects.