Researchers have investigated outdoor air pollution and have developed standards for measuring the type and amount of some serious air. The term indoor air pollution may seem a little vague at first, but once you understand what it actually includes you may be very surprised. Globally, air pollution is responsible for about 25% of all adult deaths from stroke, 24% from heart disease, 43% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd and 29% from lung cancer, the who estimates show. Chemistry and environmental sciences indoor air pollution objectives. At the same time there have been significant developments in our ability to detect and quantify pollutants and a proliferation of urban and rural air pollution networks to monitor levels of atmospheric contamination. This book presents who guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. Chemistry and environmental sciences indoor air pollution. Poor awareness and knowledge about indoor air pollution in. And if the air pollutants can find anything to harm in the lungs, they can move right into the bloodstream and have access to every organ.
The european commission has developed a series of framework directives for controlling ambient air pollution and monitoring concentrations. In this study the leaves, roots, soil, and associated microorganisms of plants have been evaluated as a possible means of reducing indoor air pollutants. Health effects and sources of indoor air pollution. Indoor sources are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. A tool kit pdf icon pdf 726 kb heart health and air pollution. Exposure to indoor air pollution from the combustion of fuelwood is a major cause of respiratory diseases, mostly among young children and their mothers bruce et al. Different groups of individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. Indoor air pollution may arise from the use of open fires, unsafe fuels or combustion of. Considering the types of potential indoor air pollutants in your home, what type of effects might these materials have upon the health of you and your family. Contact your local american lung association for copies of. Air quality air quality resources for professionals cdc. Indoor air pollution can begin within the building or be drawn in from outdoors. There are, however, some source emission standards that specify maximum rates at which contaminants can be released from a. Air pollutants come in the form of gases and finely divided solid and liquid aerosols.
General good housekeeping and maintenance of heating and air conditioning equipment are very important. Chapter 10 air quality department of environmental affairs. Other than nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, there are a number of other pollutants that affect the air quality in an enclosed space. What can i do to limit exposure to indoor air pollutants to myself and my child. In recent years air quality trend shows a decline for some pollutants i. Outdoor air pollutants emory department of pediatrics. Choose from 500 different sets of indoor air pollution flashcards on quizlet. The first step to keeping your home and family safe is learning more about the problem.
These pollutants can harm your health and the environment, and cause property damage. In the united states, these include carbon monoxide co, nitrogen oxides nox, ozone o 3, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide so2, and lead. Epa studies indicate that the levels of many air pollutants may be two to five times higher in indoor air than outdoor air. Indoor air pollution air quality ministry of health. Natural gas and propane stoves can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can be toxic to people and pets.
Developing indoor air quality guidelines 2 setting indoor air quality guidelines 4 preparation of the guidelines 7 combined exposures 9 use of the indoor air quality guidelines in protecting public health 11 references 1. Basic information on pollutants and sources of indoor air pollution. Criteria pollutants a group of air pollutants which are deemed to have human health andor environmental effects and as such are regulated by the setting of air quality standards. Concerns about potential public health problems due to indoor air pollution are based on evidence that urban residents typically spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. Adequate ventilation and good air distribution also help. Official journal of the international society of indoor air quality and climate. Indoor pollutants can be placed into two groups, biologic and chemical. The first step to solving air pollution is assessment. Sources and health impacts pollutants from natural sources pollutant major sources in the home possible health impacts radon colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that comes from the radioactive decay of uranium or radium. Who air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone. There are numerous sources of indoor air pollution, including combustion of domestic fuels such as coal, wood. Each of these heat sources can create indoor air pollution during cooking.
Pdf indoor air pollution is ubiquitous, and takes many forms, ranging from smoke emitted from solid fuel combustion, especially in households. Learn indoor air pollution with free interactive flashcards. In 2012, mortality numbers related to outdoor air pollution in the low to middleincome, and highincome countries were estimated at 203,000 and 280,000, respectively who 2014. Air pollution and health is the first fully comprehensive and current account of air pollution science and it impact on human.
Young children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution. The fact that indoors air quality is not an exact reflection of the ambient air quality was recognized only recently. This page provides a list of links for other air pollutants and indoor air pollutants. In the united states there are no federal standards that have been developed specifically for indoor air contaminants in nonoccupational environments. Show your calculations for each index card below, giving the amount of particulates in 1 m2. Who air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide global update 2005. A tool kit pdf icon pdf 3 mb you can also share this podcast with tips for avoiding the harmful health effects of poor air quality.
Ways to limit exposure are discussed according to the four most common indoor air pollutants. Using a wood stove or fireplace to cook can result in high levels of indoor. Contact us today to have your home assessed for indoor air pollutants and learn about our steps to remove them. Best practices for design, construction and commissioning is designed for architects, design engineers, contractors, commissioning agents, and all other professionals concerned with indoor air quality summary part i and detailed part ii guidance provides.
Some indoor pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, can be fatal. In addition to lung cancer, indoor air pollution can cause other respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema 1. Indoor air pollution is when pollutants contaminate air indoors and is a very dangerous problem, claiming more than 2 million lives each year. Additional general comments are at the end of the section. Air pollution is likely worse inside your home than out. Air plays a vital role not only in nature but also in the lives of human beings and all living organisms. However, it is not necessarily true that the effects noted occur at the pollutant concentration levels typically found in the home. Hundreds of internal and external links to resources for the design, construction, and commissioning of. When we think of polluted air, the first images that come to our minds are often big factories pumping out smelly clouds or old cars puffing out grey exhaust. Just like outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution can pose a risk to health. Consumer product safety commission for copies of the inside story. As we spend much time in our homes, it is important that the air is as clean as possible.
Although official efforts to control air pollution have traditionally focused on outdoor air, it is now apparent that elevated contaminant concentrations are common inside some private and public buildings. Since most people spend more time indoors than out. Poor awareness and knowledge about indoor air pollution in the urban population of mumbai, india pramod v niphadkar1, 2, kshitija rangnekar1, pooja tulaskar1, sudha deo2, sujata mahadik2, amol m kakade2 including formaldehyde can irritate eyes and the respiratory tract. Indoor air pollution can come from many places, including open fires and heaters, building materials and furniture, cleaning products and cooling systems, and. Identify major indoor air pollutants describe sources of indoor air pollutants identify the people who are most susceptible to indoor air pollution explain the health consequences of indoor air pollution. This activity demonstrates how visible and invisible pollutants can spread through the. Additionally, a novel approach of using plant systems for removing high concentrations of indoor air pollutants such as.
Students will learn about indoor air pollutants the types and legal concentrations and affects on human health. Close contact behaviour in indoor environment and transmission of respiratory infection. Pdf awareness of indoor air pollution and prevalence of. Indoor air pollution can come from many places, including open fires and heaters, building materials and furniture, cleaning products and cooling systems, and air pollution that comes in from outdoors if you would like to know more about outdoor air pollution, please read our factsheet at. If mold is a problem, get rid of excess water or moisture and clean up the mold. Indoorairqualityin commercialand institutionalbuildings. Some individuals are much more sensitive to pollutants than are others. Jan 28, 1981 electrostatic air cleaners can filter out many air pollutants in the home, but they also create ozone, itself a respiratory irritant. Indoor pollutants and sources indoor air quality iaq. Download printerfriendly version adobe pdf file adobe pdf file pdf 1. Air pollution can affect our health in many ways with both shortterm and longterm effects. They provide a scientific basis for legally enforceable standards. Educators in schools and universities teach students, beginning at very young ages, about the effects of air pollution.
The effectiveness of ion exchangers as air cleaners is. Indoor air pollution fact sheets, air pollution in your home and other publications on indoor air pollution. Living organisms can survive without water for some time but cannot survive without air because when we breathe then we intake oxygen from air and. In this article, well answer these three questions. This article will help by covering 7 common indoor air pollutants. Indoor air pollution in california july, 2005 iv disclaimer the mention of commercial products, their source, or their use in connection with material presented in this report is not to be construed as actual or implied endorsement of such products by the state of california. Air pollutant levels in the home increase if not enough outdoor air is brought in to dilute emissions from indoor sources and to carry indoor air pollutants out of the home.
Statistics suggest that in developing countries, health impacts of indoor air. Reference guide to major indoor air pollutants in the home the pollutants listed in this guide have been shown to cause the health effects mentioned. The resulting indoor air pollution iap is a major threat to health, particularly for women and young children, who may spend many hours close to the fire. Indoor air pollution environmental health student portal.
In terms of global disease burden, air pollution is the cause of over onethird of deaths from stroke, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory disease, and onequarter of deaths from ischaemic heart disease. Focusing on europe, air pollution is again the biggest environment risk factor behind premature death eea 2014. However, indoor air pollutants can be even more dangerous than outdoor air pollution. A pdf is a digital representation of the print book, so while it can be loaded into most ereader programs, it doesnt allow for resizable text or advanced, interactive functionality. Outdoor air pollutants montgomery county, maryland. Indoor air pollution and the lungs european lung foundation. Biological contaminants mold, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, etc. Indoor radon exposure, which is the secondleading cause of lung cancer, was rated the numberone environmental health risk. In some cases, indoor air pollutants may even be 100 times higher than outdoors. Tape over this square so one side has sticky scotch tape exposed. Introduction although pollutant concentrations vary significantly from building to building, the levels of some common air pollutants often are greater indoors than outdoors. This webmd slideshow shows you how radon, secondhand smoke, and even air fresheners can harm your familys health.
Pollution levels in one home may be quite different from those in another, depending on the presence and usage of sources of pollutants and on the ventilation habits. These toolkits can help you communicate with consumers about public health issues related to air pollution. Outdoor air pollution is a complex mixture of several pollutants. A guide to indoor air quality and humidifier safety alert pdf. Ambient and household air pollution mortality and cities air quality. Air pollution is a leading risk factor for premature death in ghana. Epa calls these pollutants criteria air pollutants because it regulates them by developing human healthbased andor environmentallybased criteria sciencebased guidelines for setting permissible levels. Both ambient outdoor and household indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases, which can be fatal. The epa has a list of the most common indoor air pollutants. Indoor air pollution can pose a serious health threat. In 1970, congress passed the clean air act that established national air pollutant standards for 6 criteria pollutants. An official website of the united states government. Mortality from both ambient and household air pollution for 2016 pdf, 180kb.
Howard airs hvac technicians can help phoenix homeowners find relief from poor indoor air quality. The students will also determine the pathway for the formation of radon. Indoor air pollution can come from sources outside the home, such as emissions from transport or smoke from neighbouring wood heaters, and from sources within homes. Air pollutants can present a real danger to living organisms as well as the wider environment. Indoor air pollution numerous forms of indoor air pollution are possible in the modern home. Who guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. Indoor air pollution, health and economic wellbeing. Tightly constructed buildings, for instance, reduce the amount of fresh air for dilution and for purging out of pollutants, which, in turn, builds up high levels of toxic substances indoors. Sources of volatile organic compounds indoors include. Do indoor pollutants and thermal conditions in schools influence student performance.
People use a variety of heat sources to cook food, including gas, wood, and electricity. What could be done to improve the air quality of your home. Benzene 15 general description 15 indoor sources 15 pathways of exposure 17 indoor concentrations 18. Human exposure to indoor air pollutants is difficult to quantify due to the fact that it is largely determined by microenvironmental characteristics. Volatile organic compounds originate mainly from solvents and chemicals. Pdf causes, consequences and control of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Jun 05, 2015 identify possible sources of indoor air pollution.
High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. The ebook is optimized for ereader devices and apps, which means that it offers a much better digital reading experience than a pdf, including resizable text and. Mar 15, 2017 proper air filtration in your homes hvac system is the answer to biological contaminants. This definition implicitly acknowledges that some substances that are considered to be air pollutants are present naturally. The causes of indoor air pollution comfy home corner. Learn more about these 10 common indoor air pollutants. This is because contained areas enable potential pollutants to build up more than open spaces. Indoorairqualityin commercialandinstitutional buildings occupationalsafetyandhealthadministration u. It is related to the choice of construction materials and associated with voc emissions. Radon 10 common indoor air pollutants howstuffworks.
Indoor air quality is influenced by concentrations of outdoor air pollutants, indoor sources of pollution, characteristics of the building and the habits of the residents. Awareness of indoor air pollution and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in an urban community in south west nigeria article pdf available january 2016 with 767 reads how we measure reads. Definition of outdoor air pollution outdoor air pollution. Air pollutants can also be of primary or secondary nature. Aerosols are loosely defined as any solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. Awareness of indoor air pollution and prevalence of respiratory symptoms in an urban community in south west nigeria article pdf available january 2016 with 783 reads how we measure reads. There are, however, some source emission standards that specify maximum rates at which contaminants can be released from a source. Who air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide global update 2005 summary of risk assessment. Departmentoflabor osha343004 2011 the guidance is advisory in. Pollutant sources there are many sources of indoor air pollution in. Dangers of indoor air pollution the new york times. Your lungs are one of those critical organs and should be treated thusly. Indoor air pollution is the degradation of indoor air quality by harmful chemicals and other materials.
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