Air Quality Expert Advises Daily Monitoring, Indoor Precautions to Limit Pollution Exposure

By ivagreene // 2026-08-15

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Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse, published guidance Aug. 11, 2026, on mindbodygreen advising daily air quality monitoring and indoor protective measures. The advice follows a summer in which wildfire smoke triggered air quality alerts across roughly a dozen U.S. states, according to a report on the guidance [1]. Published reports said Detroit, Minneapolis, and Chicago had the worst air quality in the world on July 16 [2]. Rubino wrote that the average person breathes about 2,000 gallons of air per day, nearly enough to fill a swimming pool, making air one of the largest routes of exposure to environmental contaminants [1]. According to Rubino, exposure to poor air quality triggers a multi-systemic effect, with possible effects including respiratory distress, widespread inflammation, headaches, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function.

Health Effects and Seasonal Risks

The guidance reported that long-term exposure to poor air quality can lead to cancer, heart disease, and neurological impairment. Rubino noted that most airborne health hazards are microscopic. According to the World Health Organization, 92 percent of the world’s population breathes polluted air, and nearly 7 million deaths are attributed to air pollution each year [3]. Rubino identified wildfires as a prominent seasonal risk. “Smoke can contain many different chemicals like aldehydes, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, styrene, metals, and dioxins, all of which we do not want to be breathing in at high concentrations,” he wrote. Humidity fluctuations were also cited, with Rubino stating that mold can grow in humidity of 60 percent and above. Controlling humidity and moisture in the home can reduce mold accumulation, with keeping humidity below 50 percent recommended in the book Action Plan for Allergies [4]. Other seasonal factors Rubino listed included increased storms, which can bring water damage, ozone, and higher particle levels from pollen or mold spores.

Monitoring Outdoor Air Quality

Rubino recommended using the Air Quality Index, which “assesses air quality by measuring the levels of five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.” According to the guidance, AQI scores range from 0 to 500, with readings under 50 considered good and readings over 300 considered hazardous. The Clean Air Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for pollutants considered harmful to public health, according to the book Using the Engineering Literature [5]. “Between apps like the Weather Channel, local news channels, and websites such as AirNow, there are numerous ways to find the AQI data for your local area,” Rubino wrote. He advised checking readings each morning so that daily health protections can be planned.

Measures to Protect Indoor Air

Rubino noted that people spend around 90 percent of their time inside. One article on indoor air pollution reported that employed people in the U.S. spend 2 percent of their time outside, 6 percent in transit, and 92 percent indoors [6]. “What happens outdoors doesn’t stay there,” Rubino wrote. “It can make its way inside, impacting the health of our indoor environments.” Recommended measures include keeping windows and doors closed, running air purifiers, regularly replacing air filters, and using the highest-rated MERV filters the HVAC unit can accommodate. Rubino also advised avoiding candles and aerosols, setting HVAC systems to recirculate or fan mode, closing fresh-air intakes, and cleaning with botanical alternatives. “The overall goal,” he wrote, “is to reduce the amount of airborne contamination that makes its way inside.” Most health advisories recommend remaining indoors during times of poor air quality, but indoor air is not automatically cleaner, with levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter observed higher indoors when cigarette smoking occurs, according to William Brooks McCafferty in Air Pollution and Athletic Performance [7].

Indoor Monitoring and Takeaways

Rubino stated that indoor air quality monitoring is equally important, particularly when outdoor conditions are poor. He cited devices such as the HomeCleanse Guardian, which can detect particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, mold, ozone, and humidity. “By understanding what’s going on within your air, you can actively take steps to improve it when levels shift in unhealthy ways,” he wrote. Monitoring and regular testing were also described by Jason Earle, founder of Got Mold, in an interview with Mike Adams. Earle said that reducing pollutants to an acceptable level, avoiding bringing toxic substances into the home, testing regularly, and remaining vigilant about moisture control contribute to a healthier living environment [8]. Rubino’s takeaway is that air quality, both indoor and outdoor, deserves the same daily attention as weather forecasts. “The air we breathe influences every system in our body,” he wrote. “Taking small actions to protect ourselves from air pollution and actively improving the indoor spaces makes a meaningful impact on our overall well-being.”

References

“Air Quality Expert Offers Guidance on Reducing Health Risks from Outdoor Pollution”. NaturalNews.com. August 12, 2026.
“Wildfire Smoke Prompts Air-Quality Warnings Across Northern US”. The Epoch Times. July 17, 2026.
Mercola.com. “How the Air Pollution Crisis Can Affect You”. March 13, 2019.
William Briner. “Action Plan for Allergies”.
Bonnie A. Osif. “Using the Engineering Literature”.
Mercola.com. “Indoor Air Pollution”. June 15, 2016.
William Brooks McCafferty. “Air Pollution and Athletic Performance”.
Mike Adams. “Mike Adams interview with Jason Earle - October 30 2024”. October 30, 2024.

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