INDOOR AIR POLLUTION INDOOR AIR POLLUTION a great

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION a great problem because people spend more than 90% of their time indoors and the levels of pollutants can be higher than outdoors The quality of indoor environment has become a matter of growing concern over the last 50 years.

SOURCES • • • tabacco smoke combustion sources (gas stoves, heaters, fireplaces) building materials paints furnishing, clothing and covering (carpets) household cleaning products cosmetic products office equipment (copiers, printers) hobby products outdoor air pollution biological sources

BIOLOGICAL SOURCES • • • molds bacteria viruses pollen dust mites animal dander

SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) various non-specific symptoms that occure in the occupants of a building accute health or comfort-related effects that seem to be linked directly to the time spent in the building • no specific ilness or cause can be identified • over 50 possible symptoms are known • relief soon after leaving the building

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SBS • • • headache dizziness nausea eye, nose, throat irritation dry cough dry or itching skin difficulty in concentration fatigue sensitivity to odours cold, flu-like symptomes allergies, asthma personality changes (depression, anxiety, paranoia)

BUILDING RELATED ILLNESS (BRI) symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and attributed directly to airborn building contaminants Signs and symptoms: • cough • chest pain • shortness of breath • palpitations • nosebleeds • allergies and asthma • pneumonia • cancers

ETIOLOGY OF SBS AND BRI • • • chemical contaminants biological contaminants inadequate ventilation electromagnetic radiation psychological factors (stress, dissatisfaction) poor, inappropriate lighting (absence of sunlight) noise poor ergonomics poor humidity (air-conditioning)

MAIN INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS • • Carbon monoxide (CO) Nitrogen dioxed (NO 2) Volatile organic compounds (VOC) Formaldehyd (HCHO) Asbestos Particulate matters (PM) Radon (Rn)

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPUNDS (VOC) emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids include variety of chemicals Source: • paints • cleaning and cosmetic products • building materials • furnishing and coverings • pesticides

FORMALDEHYD (HCHO) a common chemical in andhesive and bonding agents (playwood, carpets) one of the most frequent indoor pollutant Source: • cigarette smoke • adhesives • combustion processes

ASBESTOS microscopic mineral fibres flexible and durable, not burning Asbestos releases during cutting, remodeling and damage of material. It could be inhaled, can cause asbestosis and lung cancer. Source: • before 1975 building materials

RADON (Rn) an invisible, radioactiv gas that results from radioactiv decay of Radium (Ra) • heavy gas => it accumulates at the floor level • probably responsible for thousands of deaths from lung cancer each year in the US and Europe Source: • soil • water • outdoor air • building material