Name three common indoor air pollutants and provide a mitigation strategy for each.

• A. Radon — dehumidify; VOCs — use high-VOC materials; Asbestos — neglect removal
• B. Radon — increase ventilation and seal basements; VOCs — use low-VOC materials and improve ventilation; Asbestos — professional removal or containment
• C. Radon — leave windows open year-round; VOCs — avoid all cleaning products; Asbestos — DIY removal
• D. Radon — install air fresheners; VOCs — use scented products; Asbestos — seal with tape

Answer: (B)

The question tests recognizing three common indoor air pollutants and practical ways to reduce exposure. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can enter homes from the soil, so reducing its concentration by sealing entry points and increasing ventilation helps keep indoor levels lower. Using low-vent VOCs or improving ventilation is a sensible approach for VOCs, which come from paints, solvents, cleaners, and some building materials; choosing low-VOC products and giving indoor air a chance to dilute any buildup with air exchange lowers exposure. Asbestos is dangerous when its fibers become airborne, so the safe, accepted mitigation is professional removal or proper containment to prevent fiber release.

The other options miss important points: dehumidifying doesn’t effectively address radon entry, and simply leaving basements sealed or leaving windows open year-round aren’t reliable or practical strategies. For VOCs, using high-VOC materials or avoiding all cleaning products is impractical and still acknowledges potential exposures instead of reducing them; for asbestos, DIY removal or merely sealing with tape does not meet safety standards.