Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution, Symptoms, and The Level of Control of Bronchial Asthma: A Literature Review

Abstract

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that represents a global health burden, affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide. One environmental factor that contributes to the worsening of symptoms and reduced asthma control is exposure to indoor air pollution, given that most people spend 80–90% of their time indoors. Indoor air pollution can stem from cigarette smoke, combustion products, volatile organic compounds, humidity, mold, and biological allergens. Exposure to these pollutants can be assessed objectively using sensors or subjectively through self-assessment questionnaires. This literature review aims to summarize the scientific evidence regarding the definition, epidemiology, classification, pathogenesis, risk factors, symptoms, and assessment tools for asthma control, as well as the relationship between exposure to indoor air pollution and symptoms and the level of bronchial asthma control. A narrative literature review was conducted by searching primary and secondary literature across databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar up to 2026 using relevant keywords related to indoor air pollution, asthma, and control levels. The results of the review indicate that self-assessment using questionnaires is a practical, inexpensive method capable of capturing individuals’ perceptions of their home air quality, although its limitations lie in subjectivity and the lack of standardized instruments, particularly in Indonesia. Evidence from various studies shows that increased exposure to indoor pollutants is associated with an increased frequency of symptoms.