I came across an article that put a fine point on my concerns, but also provided some answers. The article, NASA's Favorite House Plants for Space Stations and You, describes the problem this way: "As NASA researchers explored the possibilities of long-term human habitation in space... they quickly learned that the air in a tightly sealed space capsule or a large space station would quickly become contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs, as NASA calls them) and other chemicals released by the materials used to manufacture the capsule interior. This problem, as it turns out, is comparable to the situation in newly constructed energy-efficient buildings." Our homes are subject to many of the same toxicity problems experienced on the space station. Fortunately, there is a solution.
When I first started learning about VOCs and other household toxins, our family switched from chemical cleaners to natural and homemade options, and we stopped using air fresheners and scented candles. But there is little I can do about VOCs emitted by paint, flooring, appliances and other items in our home.
I was very happy to learn that NASA found the answer in something as simple as houseplants. When NASA researchers studied the air purifying qualities of indoor plants, they discovered that having 2 plants per 100 square feet of cleanses away a wide variety of pollutants.
To learn more about growing plants in containers, check out Successful Container Gardening, Part 1.