This lack of awareness is illustrated by the belief that unhealthy air can be avoided by staying inside homes and offices during "Code Red" days - days rated as unhealthy by the Environmental Protection Agency's Outdoor Air Quality Index. Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, according to the EPA. The EPA established indoor air pollution is one of the five most urgent environmental problems facing the United States.

Other survey findings include:

• 77% of homeowners have forced air heating or central air conditioning, but 40% do not change air filters every 2-3 months as recommended;
  
• Only one homeowner out of eight uses a high-efficiency air filter to remove pet dander, dust and other potentially harmful particles from the air, but nearly 60% are willing to spend at least $15 on air filters every three months to improve air quality;
  
• Only 37% have a carbon monoxide detector in their homes; and
  
• Only one in 11 homeowners has a radon detector in the home.