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Indoor air pollution, in homes as well as commercial
buildings, is being recognized as a serious health
problem. Researchers have discovered the air pollution
inside our home can be much worse than the air pollution
outside our home. We spend 90 percent of our time
indoors, whether it be at home, at work, or in a
car traveling.
Sources of Indoor Pollution
The sources of indoor air pollution include outside
contaminated air, moisture or standing water, heating
and air conditioning equipment, personal care products,
smoking, cooking, house cleaning products, chemicals
released from building products like paneling or
carpet, and remodeling a home.
The major indoor pollutants include the following:
• Asbestos
Ffound in many products in the home such as roofing
and flooring materials, wall and pipe insulation,
spackling compounds, cement, coating materials,
heating equipment, and acoustic insulation. Asbestos
does not cause any problems unless the asbestos-containing
material is disturbed, or until it disintegrates
with age.
Health effects associated with asbestos include
scarring of the lung tissue, lung cancer, chest
cancer, and abdominal cancer.
• Biological pollutants
Found in most homes include animal dander, cockroaches,
dust mites, mildew, molds, plants, bacteria, and
viruses.
Watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, nasal congestion,
itching, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing,
headaches, and fatigue are all symptoms associated
with biological pollutants.
• Carbon dioxide
A colorless, odorless gas somewhat heavier than
air, most commonly generated by respiration, cooking
heating systems, and wood stoves.
It can deprive tissues of oxygen and some loss of
mental acuity has been noted.
• Carbon monoxide
Comes from gas appliances, fireplaces, and wood
and coal stoves that are not properly maintained
or ventilated as well as burning charcoal, running
gasoline engines in enclosed spaces, unvented kerosene
heaters, and tobacco smoke. It is a colorless, odorless,
highly poisonous gas.
The health effects of carbon monoxide can include
fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, confusion, nausea,
vomiting, dizziness, dimmed vision, shortness of
breath, and in some instances, severe heart and
brain damage or even death.
• Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
A major source of indoor air contaminants because
it contains carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and many
other gases and particles. Inhalation of ETS is
often termed secondhand smoking.
The effects on health include headache, conjunctival
irritation, bronchitis, nasal congestion, increased
incidences of asthma in children, changes to the
body's immune system, lowered defenses against inhaled
particles, and lung cancer.
• Formaldehyde
Found in particle board, fiberboard, and plywood
paneling resins; glues, dyes, permanent press clothes,
markers, paints, carpet backing, upholstery, and
drapery fabric. It can be released into the air
by burning wood, kerosene or natural gas, by automobiles,
and by cigarettes. It is also used as a strong disinfectant
and as a preservative in some paints, coatings,
and cosmetics.
Exposure to this colorless, pungent gas can irritate
the eyes, nose and throat; cause headaches, dizziness,
lethargy, rashes, nausea, and irritation of the
upper respiratory tract.
• Nitrogen dioxide in the home
Come from outside sources as well as gas appliances,
fireplaces, and wood or coal stoves that are not
properly maintained or ventilated.
Nitrogen dioxide, a colorless, highly poisonous
gas, in the home may cause eye irritation and respiratory
problems.
• Radon gas
Comes from uranium containing soil surrounding the
house. It can enter the home through any openings
or cracks in the foundation floors, walls, drains,
or joints.
Exposure to radon gas can result in lung cancer.
• Volatile organic compounds
Found in many household cleaning agents, personal
care products, pesticides, paints, hobby products,
dry cleaning, aerosol sprays, adhesives, and solvents.
The fumes from these toxic household chemicals can
cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions,
eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory tract
irritation, visual disorders, and memory impairment.
There are ways to reduce the air pollution in our
home. One of the best ways is to make sure the heating
and air conditioning systems are well maintained
and the filters changed frequently. Good maintenance
and ventilation are keys in keeping indoor air pollution
under control. This includes gas appliances, wood
stoves, and fireplaces.
Moisture control is also another factor in reducing
air pollution. Molds, mildews, and dust mites like
moist places.
Keep the use of products that contain volatile organic
compounds to a minimum. Always follow instructions
when using these products. They should always be
used in a well-ventilated area. Do not store unused
portions in the home. Buy only what you need and
dispose of the remainder according to the instructions.
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