A publication from the United States Environmental Protection Agency about indoor air pollution – and written specifically for healthcare providers – offers this diagnostic checklist that may provide clues to a complaint's link with indoor air pollution. A diary or log of symptoms correlated with time and place might prove helpful as well.

• When did the symptom or complaint begin?
• Does it exist all the time, or does it come and go? That is, is it associated with times of day, days of the week or seasons of the year?
• If so, are you usually in a particular place at those times?
• Does the problem abate or cease, either immediately or gradually, when you leave there? Does it recur when you return?
• What is your work? Have you recently changed employers or assignments, or has your employer recently changed location?
• If not, has the place where you work been redecorated or refurnished, or have you recently started working with new or different materials or equipment? These may include pesticides, cleaning products, craft supplies, etc.
• What is the smoking policy at your workplace? Are you exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at work, school, home, etc?
• Describe your work area.
• Have you recently changed your place of residence?
• If not, have you made any recent changes in, or additions to, your home?
• Have you, or has anyone else in your family, recently started a new hobby or other activity?
• Have you recently acquired a new pet?
• Does anyone else in your home have a similar problem? How about anyone with whom you work?