As parents and teens prepare for a new semester, many may not be thinking about the indoor air quality (IAQ) of the dorms that college and university students will be inhabiting. But they should be. Dorm rooms, particularly those in older buildings, commonly have poor ventilation and can be hotbeds for mold and other pollutants. Cramming a large number of students into small, cramped rooms creates a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, putting everyone at risk.
It is well known that indoor air can carry two to five times more pollution than outdoor air. But for students in particular, this poor air quality can greatly affect their ability to concentrate, cause fatigue and a decrease in cognitive functions. In fact, studies have shown that poor air quality contributes to lower test scores. Here is what you need to know to ensure your dorm room has the cleanest air on campus.
Sources of Dorm Air Quality Pollution
The first step in eliminating or decreasing indoor air pollution is understanding what specific pollutants are in the air and where they are coming from. A common problem is the lack of control over heating, cooling and ventilation systems. “If filters are missing or aren't changed regularly, it can significantly impact indoor air quality,” warns Jill Heins, MS, senior director of health systems improvement and indoor air quality for the American Lung Association. Getting good ventilation in a dorm room can be difficult, as some buildings have windows that barely open.
Before even moving into a dorm room, preparation for new tenets can mean that new paint, furniture or flooring has releases VOCs into the air. Rooms that are not renovated or have not been cleaned completely may omit a musty or stale smell, signaling the growth of mold or mildew. Even if well cleaned, you should check corners of the room, ceilings and the bathroom, where humidity and poor circulation can lead to mold growth.
Once occupying the room on a regular basis, dorms can quickly accumulate dust, allergens and other airborne pollutants due to close quarters, shared spaces and poor ventilation. For instance, using a hot plate, microwave or other cooking equipment can release particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other pollutants into the air.
Additionally, roommates and other people who live on your floor may have habits that contribute to poor air quality. For example, people who enjoy using essential oil diffusers, burning incense or candles can pollute the air unintentionally. Also, anyone who smokes cigarettes, vapes or any other tobacco products may cause air pollution and expose those in a dorm to secondhand smoke. The most common signs of a problem are when you begin experiencing breathing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing or congestion.
The Simplest Way to Improve Indoor Air Quality
One of the easiest ways to improve air quality in any indoor space is by using an air cleaner. Air cleaners can remove pollutants like dust, pet dander, pollen and smoke from the air in a room. There are many factors to consider when choosing an air cleaner, including type, cost, room size, noise, and energy use. Though dorm rooms vary by size, the average is around 225 square feet, so a smaller air cleaner should do the trick. Having an exact measurement will allow you to choose an air cleaner with the correct Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which indicates how quickly a unit can clean a volume of air at any given time. “The CADR should be at least two-thirds of the cubic feet per minute metric (CFM). If an air purifier's CFM is 200 make sure the CADR is at least 133,” says Heins.
Additionally, you should only consider air cleaners that use either a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter or and activated carbon filter. HEPA filters are certified to remove 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any other airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or bigger. An activated carbon filter works to remove odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which linger in the air after using perfume, cleaning products or any other aerosols. Do not use any ionizer air cleaner or one that produces ozone, a lung irritant.
Choosing a filter that is designed to fit small spaces or designed to make as little noise as possible are other features that can be useful for dorm life.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference for Air Quality
Besides an air cleaner, there are a few steps you can take to make the air in your dorm room as clean as possible. They include:
- If possible, frequently open doors and windows to improve ventilation.
- Ask friends and roommates to smoke or vape outdoors only, so that the smoke doesn’t linger in your indoor air.
- Regularly clean room by dusting surfaces, empty trash bins, vacuuming carpets and wiping down floors and walls.
- Promptly clean up any spills that may attract pests.
- Consistently wash and dry clothes, towels, bedding. When not in use, store them properly.
- Refrain from using air fresheners and lighting incense as they might trigger asthma and allergy symptoms for others.
Blog last updated: August 21, 2025
