Every building has an air exchange with the outdoors. Leaks, open windows, and weather can all impact how much air gets in. As outdoor air makes its way in, it carries particles with it. This pollution can have an enormous impact on health.
ROCIS (Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces) is dedicated to monitoring and improving indoor air quality in the homes and workplaces where people spend their time.
ROCIS Mission
Our mission is to reduce the impact of exterior environmental pollution in southwestern Pennsylvania to create healthy and energy efficient indoor environments.
Cohort 62 of the Low Cost Monitoring Project Starts Soon!
This free, virtual program allows you to monitor the air quality in and around your home and make changes to protect your family’s health. Find out more about the LCMP.
Our Work
Find out more about what we’ve been doing related to air quality, particle pollution, monitoring, in-home solutions, and more.
What’s Cooking: Update to ROCIS Range Hood Guide, January 2024
This update was created by Tom Phillips, ROCIS Technical Advisor, Healthy Building Research ROCIS offers a comprehensive Range Hood Guide on our website for anyone—from homeowners to contractors—to use in the process of choosing and installing kitchen range hoods....
Particle Pollution Solutions In Your Home
Pittsburgh Has a Particle Pollution Problem The air quality in Pittsburgh is among the worst in the country, but you can protect the air you breathe in your home. ROCIS presents the following overview of particle pollution and what you can do about it indoors. First,...
Talking Turkey About Indoor Air Quality
With a focus on reducing the health effects of outdoor pollutants indoors, what does ROCIS have to do with cooking?No, we are not addressing outdoor grilling. Cooking in kitchens is a significant, consistent contributor to indoor air quality. While the best way to...
ROCIS Blog
Read more about our work at the ROCIS Blog:
ROCIS Highlights
ROCIS approaches indoor air quality from many different angles.
These are some of the things we’re best known for.
About Kitchen Range Hoods
Check out this ROCIS issue brief on “Ducted Range Hoods.” Learn best practices for selecting, installing, and operating a quiet and effective hood in both new and existing homes. Consumers and building professionals will find this document useful. If you want to provide better air for your family, it is well worth reading!
Low Cost Monitoring Project
Join our free Low Cost Monitoring Project (LCMP) to gather data about the air in your home, school, or workplace and test out interventions to reduce pollution exposure. Each month-long cohort provides both indoor/outdoor air quality monitors and expert guidance from the ROCIS team. You could be part of our next cohort!
Clean Air Chronicles
Participants in our Low Cost Monitoring Project witness firsthand how outdoor air quality impacts the air inside. As part of our program, they learn what can be done to improve the air in their homes. These short videos capture a few families’ experiences with low-cost monitoring and targeted interventions. Watch their stories and explore other resources related to indoor pollution exposure.