Indoor Air Quality: CO₂, PM2.5, and Mycotoxin Mitigation

Ever notice how you feel foggy after sitting in a stuffy conference room? Or why your allergies flare up in certain buildings? The air inside your home might be making you sick – and you dont even know it.

The EPA found indoor air is often 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. And we spend about 90% of our time indoors. That math doesn’t look good for our brains and bodies.

Let’s fix that.

Understanding indoor air pollutants and health impacts

The invisible enemies floating around your home come in several forms:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – builds up in poorly ventilated spaces
• Particulate matter (PM2.5) – tiny particles that penetrate deep into lungs
• Mycotoxins – toxic compounds produced by certain molds

Each of these affects your health in different ways:

Pollutant	Short-term Effects	Long-term Consequences
CO₂	Fatigue, headaches, decreased cognitive function	Chronic inflammation, disrupted sleep
PM2.5	Irritated airways, coughing, eye irritation	Increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer
Mycotoxins	Allergy symptoms, asthma flares, brain fog	Chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS)

These aren’t just minor annoyances. A Harvard study showed that cognitive performance drops by 15% when CO₂ levels rise from 500 to 1000 ppm. And that’s just one pollutant!

Your body is constantly defending itself against these invaders. The problem? This defense uses energy and resources that could be spent on other things… like thinking clearly, recovering from workouts, or fighting off actual pathogens.

The good news? You can measure, track and fix these issues with some simple tools and habits.

CO₂ monitoring and ventilation strategies

High CO₂ levels are like kryptonite for your brain. Once levels exceed 1000 ppm, cognitive performance takes a nosedive.

First, you need to know what you’re dealing with. Get a reliable CO₂ monitor like the Aranet4 or Air Things View Plus. These devices give you real-time feedback so you can take action when levels climb too high.

Here’s what different CO₂ readings mean:

• 400-600 ppm: Excellent (outdoor air level)
• 600-800 ppm: Good
• 800-1000 ppm: Acceptable
• 1000-2000 ppm: Poor – cognitive impairment begins
• >2000 ppm: Dangerous – significant health effects

Now, how to fix high CO₂:

1. Open windows on opposite sides of your home to create cross-ventilation (even 5-10 minutes helps)

2. Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove CO₂-rich air

3. Consider an ERV/HRV system (Energy/Heat Recovery Ventilator) that brings in fresh air while retaining indoor temperature

4. Add plants strategically – snake plants, peace lilies and spider plants can help (though you’d need many to make a significant difference)

For home offices or bedrooms, try the “20-20-20 rule”: every 20 minutes, open windows for 20 seconds and get 20 feet away from your workspace. This breaks CO₂ buildup patterns and gives your brain a reset.

Remember: even short-term exposure to high CO₂ reduces decision-making ability by 50%. Keeping levels under control is one of the easiest cognitive enhancers available.

PM2.5 filtration systems and solutions

PM2.5 particles are tiny specks (2.5 micrometers or smaller) that slip past your body’s defenses and lodge deep in your lungs. They come from cooking, candles, fireplaces, outdoor pollution, and even pet dander.

These microscopic menaces cause immediate issues like watery eyes and coughing, but the real danger is long-term exposure. Studies show it ages your brain, increases inflammation, and can even alter gene expression.

Your best defense? A multi-layered approach:

1. Measure it
Get a particle counter or air quality monitor. The Purple Air indoor sensor or Awair Element are solid options that give you real-time readings.

2. Filter it out
HEPA filters are your first line of defense. They capture 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns.

• Stand-alone air purifiers: Place in bedrooms and main living areas. Look for units rated for the square footage of your room.
• HVAC filters: Upgrade to MERV 13+ filters for your heating/cooling system
• DIY option: The Corsi-Rosenthal box (a box fan with multiple MERV 13 filters) costs about $60-80 to build

3. Reduce sources

• Use a range hood when cooking (vented outdoors)
• Switch to beeswax or soy candles instead of paraffin
• Remove shoes at the door
• Vacuum with a HEPA-filtered vacuum

What PM2.5 level should you aim for?

PM2.5 Level (μg/m³)	Air Quality	Health Impact
0-12	Good	Minimal
12-35	Moderate	Some respiratory effects
35-55	Unhealthy for sensitive groups	Increased symptoms
55+	Unhealthy	Everyone may experience effects

The ideal target is below 5 μg/m³ in your home, especially in bedrooms where you spend 7-8 hours continuously.

Mold prevention and mycotoxin remediation methods

That musty smell in your basement isnt just unpleasant – it might be making you sick. Mold releases mycotoxins that can trigger everything from allergy symptoms to serious neurological issues.

About 25% of people have genetics that make them extra sensitive to mold toxins. If you get sick in water-damaged buildings or feel better when traveling, you might be one of them.

Prevention is your best strategy:

1. Control humidity – Keep indoor humidity between 40-50%

   • Use dehumidifiers in damp areas
   • Install humidity monitors in key locations
   • Fix leaks immediately

2. Improve air circulation

   • Don’t place furniture directly against exterior walls
   • Use fans to move air in bathrooms and kitchens
   • Leave closet doors cracked open

3. Check for hidden problems

   • Inspect under sinks monthly
   • Look for water stains on ceilings/walls
   • Pay attention to musty smells

If you already have mold issues, here’s how to address them:

For small areas (less than 10 square feet):

• Wear an N95 mask and gloves
• Scrub with borax solution (1 cup borax to 1 gallon hot water)
• Dry completely with fans
• HEPA vacuum surrounding areas

For larger problems:

• Call in professionals with proper equipment
• Consider ERMI or HERTSMI-2 testing to assess mold species
• Use activated charcoal, zeolite or clay-based binders during remediation

After remediation:

• Continue running HEPA air purifiers
• Consider using EC3 candles or fogging systems
• Replace items that cant be properly cleaned (fabric furniture, mattresses)

Mycotoxins stick around even after visible mold is gone. Binders like activated charcoal, bentonite clay, and chlorella can help clear them from your system if youve been exposed.

Remember, clean air is foundational to optimal health. Your lungs process over 11,000 liters of air daily – make sure that air is supporting your performance, not sabotaging it.