Scientists say a big cause of pollution is in our home. Everyday items such as toothpaste, deodorant and perfume have volatile compounds that create pollution. Dr Brian McDonald, an air-pollution researcher, did research on what creates pollution in our homes. He was surprised to find that household items cause as much pollution as cars and trucks. He said transportation is getting cleaner, but household items are becoming more polluting.
The researchers looked at volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in household items. VOCs react with sunlight to form ozone pollution. This gets trapped in our home. VOCs form tiny particles in the air and these can damage our lungs. Dr McDonald said we should regulate household products to reduce their impact on our health. He said: "The things I use in the morning to get ready for work are comparable to emissions that come out of...my car."