Indoor Air Pollution

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Indoor Air Pollution
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Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution

• Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than
  outdoor air pollution
• Combustion sources oil, gas, wood, tobacco
• Building materials and furnishings
• Household products cleaning and personal care
• Household appliances unvented mechanics, HVAC
• Outdoor sources that get indoors radon, etc.
• Worst in developing countries
• Appliances and products without ventilation

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Combustion Sources

• Sources unvented space heaters, leaking chimney
  or fireplace, back-drafting, gas stoves, attached
  garage
• Human Health
• Low levels cause flu symptoms, lung irritation
  etc.
• High levels of CO can kill

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Building Materials and Furnishings

• Asbestos
• Old or deteriorated insulation or roofing
• Carcinogen lung cancer
• Formaldehyde
• Common in particle-board, carpet glues, and
  textiles
• Eye, nose and throat irritation, allergies,
  asthma, possible carcinogen
• Wet or damp areas
• Mold and dust, cause irritation and allergy
  problems

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Household Products

• Cleaning products, personal care, pesticides, and
  hobby materials (glues, paints, markers)
• Toxic materials require proper ventilation!!!
• Industrial Solvents are V.O.C.s
• Benzene (adhesives, dry cleaning, paints,
  detergent)
• Many as solvents cleaning, hygiene, cosmetics,
  etc.
• Nausea, fatigue, toxicity, cancer risks

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Household Appliances and Systems

• Unvented Appliances
• Gas stoves, furnaces, space heaters (CO, NOx,
  SO2)
• HVAC Systems
• Breed mold and bacteria, and spread it
• Legionnaires Disease (pneumonia though air vents)

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Outdoor Sources

• Radon
• Leaks from soil into basement and house
• Chimney Effect
• Pollutants move inward through doors and windows
  and vent upwards through tall, heated buildings

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Sick Building Syndrome

• Sick Building Syndrome
• Headaches and allergic-like reactions with
  unspecified stimuli
• Energy efficiency increases indoor pollutants by
  sealing them inside
• Often related to microbial problems mold, dust,
  dust mites, bacteria, and other pathogens

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Common Indoor Air Pollutants

• Cigarette smoke
• Formaldehyde
• Radon 222
• Ultra-fine particulates
• Asbestos
• Pesticides
• Molds
• Dust mites and pollens
• Legionella pneumophila (and other bacteria)

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