Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse...

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Indoor Air Pollution

Transcript of Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse...

Page 1: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

Indoor Air Pollution

Page 2: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

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

Page 3: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

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

Page 4: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

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

Page 5: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

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

Page 6: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

Household Appliances and Systems

• Unvented Appliances– Gas stoves, furnaces, space heaters (CO, NOx,

SO2)

• HVAC Systems– Breed mold and bacteria, and spread it– Legionnaire’s Disease (pneumonia though air

vents)

Page 7: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

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

Page 8: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

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

Page 9: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

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

bacteria)

Page 10: Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution is usually much worse than outdoor air pollution –Combustion sources: oil,