A comprehensive review on indoor air pollutants and their health impacts: priority pollutants and suggested mitigations

Indoor air pollution (IAP) represents a significant environmental health challenge driven by complex interactions among multi-source contaminants. This comprehensive review examines the health impacts of IAP, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies, while proposing an integrated mitigation framework. Through systematic analysis of epidemiological studies and mechanistic investigations, we identify three dominant pollution pathways: combining source control of emissions, advanced air purification technologies, and optimized ventilation designs to reduce indoor pollutant concentrations. Current research gaps highlight the need for long-term exposure assessments, investigations into vulnerable population susceptibility, and interdisciplinary approaches to unravel gene-environment interactions. Future directions emphasize the development of scalable monitoring solutions and harmonized policies addressing both indoor and outdoor air quality. This review provides a foundational framework for advancing evidence-based interventions and fostering sustainable building practices to mitigate the global burden of IAP-related health outcomes.