Indoor Air Pollution Indoor Air Quality Indoor Air

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Pollution • Indoor air contains higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air (up to 70 x) • Indoor air pollution usually is a greater threat to human health than outdoor air pollution. – Avg. U. S. citizen spends 90% of time indoors – 6, 000 people die per day from indoor air pollution related health problems

Most dangerous indoor air pollutants • Cigarette smoke—leads to lung cancer & heart disease • Formaldehyde—colorless, extremely irritating gas used to manufacture household materials • Building materials (plywood, paneling, high-gloss wood) – Building Materials (6: 43) • Furniture • Drapes & upholstery • Adhesives in carpeting & wallpaper • Radioactive Radon-222 gas – – – Produced by the radioactive decay of uranium-238 Exposes lungs to ionizing radiation Second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking Radon (2: 06) Radon 2 (1: 28)

Most dangerous indoor air pollutants • Asbestos—especially in developing nations – – Several different forms of silicate minerals Widely used as a building material 1989—EPA ordered a ban on remaining uses of asbestos by 1997 Asbestos (2: 16) • Carbon monoxide—Faulty furnaces, stoves, fireplaces & Cigarette smoking – Causes headache, heartbeat irregularity, & carboxyhemoglobin – Carbon Monoxide (4: 44) • Organic materials—Dust mites, fungal spores, animal dander, hair, carpet fibers – Allergies, coughs, sneezing, eye irritation • Burning of wood, dung, & coal in open fires—developing nations

Developed Countries • According to the EPA, the 4 most dangerous indoor air pollutants in developed countries are: – Tobacco smoke – Formaldehyde – Radioactive radon-222 gas – Very small fine & ultrafine particles

Developing Countries • Solid particulates - from burning wood, charcoal, dung, crop waste – With little to no ventilation – Soot and carbon monoxide

Sick-Building Syndrome • A sickness produced by indoor pollution w/ general & nonspecific symptoms • persistent set of symptoms in >20% population • complaints/Symptoms relieved after exiting building • Dizziness, headaches, coughing, sneezing, nausea, & flu-like symptoms • New buildings are more commonly “sick” than old ones because of reduced air exchange. – Chemicals released from new carpet, paint and furniture – Can be solved with low-toxicity building materials & good ventilation – Sick Building Syndrome (1: 05)

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution • In developed countries: – – – – Use low-toxicity materials Monitor air quality Keep rooms clean Ban indoor smoking Prevent radon infiltration Increase intake of outside air Set stricter formaldehyde emission standards Limit exposure to chemicals • In developing countries: – Dry wood before burning – Cook outside – Use less-polluting fuels (natural gas)