Breath. Breathing. Air. There is no life without breath. Yet, so often, we take it for granted. We seldom give much thought to the air we breathe or the quality of that air—until we feel its effects. We move through our daily routines, spending most of our time at our workplaces. But are we truly giving our bodies the clean, healthy air they need to thrive? Are the environments we work in supporting our well-being, or are they contributing to our decline?
The reality is that poor air quality can have a significant effect on our health. And when the air quality is compromised, our health inevitably follows.
Common Symptoms
Some symptoms of exposure to poor air quality show up quickly — like headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or stuffiness — often linked to carbon dioxide (CO₂) buildup or poor ventilation. Others take time to appear, making it harder to recognise the long-term effects.
Physical, mental, and emotional symptoms can include:
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety, mood swings, or depression
- Chronic fatigue or muscle weakness
- Respiratory issues like coughing, wheezing, or sinus infections
- Hormonal imbalances
- Memory problems or trouble with coordination
Research suggests that poor indoor air quality can worsen mental health, and links air pollution to an increased risk of anxiety and depression. (1)
Long-term Health Risks
Prolonged exposure to indoor pollutants—including elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold spores, dust mites, and fine particulate matter—can lead to serious health risks, including:
- Autoimmune flares (e.g., lupus, multiple sclerosis) (2)
- Cardiovascular issues (hypertension, stroke) (3)
- Diabetes triggers
- Chronic inflammation
- Hormonal and detox system dysfunction (4)
Even after leaving the environment, symptoms may persist if the body’s immune or neurological systems have been compromised. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that certain mold toxins can cause lasting effects—especially in sensitive individuals. (5)
Delayed and Persistent Symptoms
One of the most challenging aspects is that symptoms don’t always appear immediately. Some individuals only feel symptoms after leaving the affected environment. For others, the buildup happens slowly—over weeks, months, or years. The body’s immune and detox systems may become overwhelmed, leading to chronic, lingering issues. (6)
The Hidden Risks of Poor Air Quality and Mold
Exposure to elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, mold, and general poor air quality can trigger a range of physical, neurological, mental, and emotional symptoms.(7) Two of the more serious (and often overlooked) contaminants in workplace buildings are asbestos and formaldehyde. They differ in chemical makeup but they have a lot in common: both are hazardous, both are often present in building materials.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even low levels of indoor mold and pollutants can significantly affect respiratory health and overall well-being.(8) Many people suffer unknowingly because the symptoms can be vague, delayed, or attributed to other causes.
Who Is Most at Risk?
According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), those at greater risk include:
- People with asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues
- Individuals with autoimmune conditions
- Children and the elderly
- Pregnant women
- Those with compromised immune systems
- Anyone genetically predisposed to inflammatory responses
Even healthy persons can be more sensitive than others to environmental triggers, experiencing symptoms much faster or more severely than others. (9)
How to Tell if Poor Air Quality is Affecting You
Ask yourself:
- Do I feel significantly better when away from work or home for a while?
- Do I get headaches, nausea, or brain fog in a specific space?
- Do symptoms return quickly when I go back?
- Are others in the space experiencing similar issues?
- Is there a musty smell, visible mold, or condensation?
- Does the space feel stuffy or poorly ventilated?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, indoor air quality issues may be contributing to your symptoms.
What to Do If You Suspect the Problem Is in Your Workplace
- Track symptoms and when they occur
- Talk to coworkers to see if they’ve noticed similar issues
- Report concerns to your supervisor or HR
- Request environmental testing (CO₂, VOCs, humidity, mold)
- Consult a doctor familiar with environmental illness. Let your doctor know about the suspected exposure so they can consider it into their diagnosis and treatment.
- Ask for adjustments, like remote work or a different office
- Know your rights—you are entitled to a safe work environment
- Contact health authorities if your employer fails to act
- Contact your employee representative body
Employers are required to provide a safe and healthy work environment, which includes maintaining safe indoor air quality.
Conclusion
Clean air is essential to mental and physical health. Mold and air pollutants are often invisible but deeply harmful—especially over time. Don’t ignore the signals your body is sending. Learn the signs, seek medical advice, and take steps to improve your environment.
“He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” — Acts 17:25
Scripture reminds us that breath is a divine gift—precious, intentional, sustaining. When the spaces we live or work in compromise that gift, our bodies respond. Sometimes slowly. Sometimes silently. But always with purpose.
This article isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. It’s about honoring what God has given you by listening closely to the signals He built into you. If something doesn’t feel right, trust that nudge.
Your breath, your life, your health—they matter to God. They should matter to you, too.
Maybe you’re not feeling anything now. But if your air is unsafe, your body—or your family—may pay the price later.
Trust yourself. Advocate for your health.
Interested in Learning More?
If this article resonated with you — or if you’ve been wondering whether the air at your workplace might be affecting you — I’m considering a short follow-up article.
It would cover:
- Why testing and transparency from employers matter.
- Sick building syndrome? Environmental illness?
- Subtle improvements you might notice when you’re away — clearer skin, better focus, fewer headaches, improved vision, and even healthier hair
- How poor air quality can impact job performance — from brain fog and low energy to missed deadlines, increased sick days, and even unfair reprimands.
- The added stress of not knowing what’s wrong — and how it affects you and your loved ones.
Would that be helpful to you or someone you know?
Author’s Note:
This article is written from a place of genuine concern and care. It reflects research and a desire to help others recognise potential risks before they lead to long-term harm. I am not a medical or environmental health professional, and this article is not intended to diagnose or offer medical advice. Rather, it is an invitation to listen to your body, seek appropriate guidance, and advocate for healthier environments. I believe that many people don’t advocate for themselves simply because they don’t understand that their health is at risk—or how serious that risk might be.
If your life — or your loved one’s — has been affected by poor air quality at work, I’m so sorry. I’ve included this short prayer below for anyone who needs comfort, healing, or hope today.
Lord, we lift up every person whose health or peace has been shaken by the unseen harm of poor air quality. For those battling unexplained symptoms, and for the loved ones watching them suffer — bring clarity, comfort and healing. Restore what has been weakened, renew what has been lost, and reveal paths toward wholeness. Grant courage to speak up, wisdom to take the next step, and peace that steadies the heart in the midst of uncertainty. In Your mercy, breathe life into tired lungs and hope into weary souls. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
(1) Air quality and mental health: evidence, challenges and future directionshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10375903/
(2) Associations between Ambient Fine Particulate Levels and Disease Activity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 119, Issue 1, January 2011Pages: 45 – 49 PubMed: 20870568 https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1002123
(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29204097/Gawda A, Majka G, Nowak B, Marcinkiewicz J. Air pollution, oxidative stress, and exacerbation of autoimmune diseases. Cent Eur J Immunol. 2017;42(3):305-312. doi: 10.5114/ceji.2017.70975. Epub 2017 Oct 30. PMID: 29204097; PMCID: PMC5708213.
(4) NICE, Indoor Air Pollution: Health Risks and Recommendations, NG149, 2020, https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng149
(5) https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/mold
(6) CDC NIOSH, Building Air Quality: A guide for building owners and facility managers, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB91114; CDC https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/mold/default.htm; NHS, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-for-rented-housing-providers/understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-of-damp-and-mould-in-the-home–2; ; US FEMA https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/prevent-mold-becoming-secondary-disaster#:~:text=October%204%2C%202023,despite%20no%20other%20visible%20damages.
(7) “Air Pollution can cause diverse neurological disorders as a result of inflammation of the nervous system, oxidative stress, activation of microglicial cells, protein condensation, and cerebral vascular barrier disorders…”; US Environmental Protection Agency 1989, Report to Congress on indoor Air Quality: Vol 2 EPA/400/1-89/001C, Washington DC cited in Harvard.edu; https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/toxic-mold-syndrome-it-was-like-i-lost-my-personality/#:~:text=For%20most%20people%2C%20getting%20a,was%20the%20case%20for%20Kimberlyn.
(8) The Surprising Link between Air Quality and Mental Health (Nov. 6, 2023). See also Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health;
Further Reading:
Managing Indoor Air Quality, Fifth Edition, HE Burroughs, CIAQP and Shirley J. Hansen Ph.D
