Contaminants

1
Chapter 3

• Contaminants

Poor Indoor Air Quality Effects of Poor Indoor
Air Quality Particles Asbestos Lead Gases
Carbon Dioxide Carbon Monoxide Radon
Mixtures Biological Contaminants Microbial
Contaminants
2
Chapter 3

• Contaminants

Poor Indoor Air Quality Effects of Poor Indoor
Air Quality Particles Asbestos Lead Gases
Carbon Dioxide Carbon Monoxide Radon
Mixtures Biological Contaminants Microbial
Contaminants
3

• Contaminants may originate outdoors or indoors
  and often follow a certain airflow path.

4

• Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used
  commonly in a variety of building construction
  materials including pipe insulation, ceiling
  tiles, and building fireproofing.

5

• Lead can be found in common sources such as
  drinking water, air, and soil. However, in
  sources such as old paint and lead pipes, there
  is a larger risk of lead becoming a harmful
  pollutant.

6

• Mold spores grow in areas with excessive moisture
  or accumulated water. Mold can grow on a variety
  of materials including ceiling tiles and
  wallboard.

7

• Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and
  toxic gas that can be produced from traffic,
  unventilated parking garages, heating equipment,
  and environmental tobacco smoke.

8

• Sources of NO2 include truck and bus emissions,
  kerosene heaters, unvented gas stoves and
  heaters, gasoline engines operated indoors, and
  environmental tobacco smoke.

9

• Formaldehyde is used in a wide variety of
  products including particleboard, plywood,
  cosmetics, and permanent press fabrics.
  Formaldehyde is also released during certain
  activities, such as burning wood.

10

• High levels of exposure to ozone has certain
  health effects and risk factors. Several U.S.
  government agencies have developed standards
  relating to the allowable amount of ozone
  exposure for humans.

11

• Exposure to high levels of radon may lead to lung
  cancer. Radon levels are measured in picocuries
  per liter (pCi/L).

12

• Volatile organic compounds are used in many
  products including cleaners, pesticides, paints
  and glue, cosmetics, perfumes, draperies, and
  carpets.