Indoor Air Quality covers a lot of topics. Start here.
New to indoor air quality? This is your starting point. We’ve broken down every major IAQ topic into simple, easy-to-follow guides so you know exactly where to begin.
Pick a topic that you’d like to know more about and dive in. Each guide is written by industry professionals and grounded in current research and standards.
The EPA estimates that Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors — and that indoor air is typically 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air. In South Florida, that statistic carries extra weight. Our year-round heat and humidity create conditions that accelerate mold growth, amplify dust mite populations, and stress HVAC systems in ways that have direct, measurable effects on the air you breathe every day.
South Florida’s unique combination of subtropical climate, dense urban development, aging housing stock, and hurricane exposure creates an indoor air quality environment unlike most of the country. The fungal spores that struggle to survive in Denver thrive in Miami year-round. The dust mites that die off in Minnesota winters live in your mattress every month of the year here. The brevetoxin aerosols from red tide events that are a curiosity in most states are an annual health hazard for coastal residents from Collier to Broward County.
This site exists to give South Florida residents, property managers, and building professionals a straightforward, science-based resource for understanding, evaluating, and improving their indoor environments — grounded in the guidance of NADCA, ASHRAE, the EPA, AIHA, IICRC, and Florida’s own regulatory standards.
Start with your symptoms or concern. If you have a specific trigger — musty odor, worsening allergies, recent flooding, a post-storm mold question — go directly to the topic section that matches. The topic hub pages each provide an overview of their subject area with links to deeper sub-pages on specific questions.
Use the topic cards above to navigate to the major subject areas: Mold & Mildew, Air Conditioning, Indoor Contaminants, Weather & Storms, Building Air Quality, Testing & Inspections, Moisture & Humidity, and Home Air Quality. Each hub page is designed to give you a complete orientation to its topic before pointing you toward more specific information.
Read the blog for in-depth, practical guides on specific IAQ topics: why mold is so common in South Florida, how to read a mold report, what MERV ratings mean, what to do after a hurricane, and more. The blog is organized by topic category and designed to be read independently — each post covers one question completely.
Use the Resources page for a curated reference list of the authoritative standards, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations whose guidance informs everything on this site.
This site is designed to educate — not to replace professional assessment. There are situations where self-help IAQ management is appropriate, and there are situations where licensed professional involvement is essential. Know the difference.
Call a licensed Florida mold assessor (DBPR license required) when: you have visible mold growth covering more than 10 square feet; you have had a significant water intrusion event and suspect hidden mold in wall cavities; occupants are experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms without a clear explanation; or you are buying or selling property and want objective IAQ documentation.
Call a qualified HVAC contractor when: your system is short-cycling, not maintaining humidity below 55%, producing unusual odors from supply registers, or has not been professionally maintained within the past 12 months.
The cost of a professional assessment — typically $300–$600 for a residential mold assessment with laboratory analysis — is a sound investment when any of these conditions apply. Treating a symptom without identifying the source is rarely effective and frequently costly in the long run.
Browse our Indoor air quality topic guides below — each one is written by industry professionals and covers everything you need to know, from the basics to the details.
South Florida’s warm, humid climate creates year-round mold risks. Learn how to identify it, what causes it, and when to be concerned.
Commercial and multi-family buildings have unique IAQ challenges. Explore Florida-specific standards, common violations, and what building managers need to know.
From dust mites and pet dander to radon and VOCs — understand what’s commonly found in Florida homes and what the research says about each one.
Not sure where to start? Learn the difference between DIY test kits and professional assessments, and what results actually mean.
South Florida’s hurricane season doesn’t end when the storm does. Learn how flooding, moisture intrusion, and storm damage create lasting IAQ risks.
Every home has its own air quality profile. Understand the factors specific to South Florida construction, lifestyle, and climate that affect the air you breathe daily.
Your AC system is your first line of defense against poor indoor air. Learn what to look for, how often to service it, and what filters actually work.
Controlling moisture is the single most important factor in South Florida IAQ. Learn the numbers, the tools, and the warning signs.
The air inside your home or workplace can contain pollutants you can’t see, smell, or taste. Understanding what affects your indoor air quality is the first step to doing something about it.
New to IAQ terminology? Browse our plain-language glossary of common indoor air quality terms and definitions.
learn more
The latest articles, research breakdowns, and IAQ news written for South Florida residents and building professionals.
Have questions about indoor air quality? We’ve compiled answers to the most common IAQ questions — from South Florida-specific concerns to general air quality basics.
We’re here to help. Whether you’re trying to learn about pollutants in your home or workplace, or just want to point us toward a topic you’d like us to cover — we’d love to hear from you.
South Florida Indoor Air is an independent educational resource dedicated to helping our community breathe better and make informed decisions about the air inside their spaces.