Air PollutionPollution
Pollutants entering the home What we do in our homes and the products
we use How the home is built and maintained
Factors that Affect the Quality of Air Inside
Biological pollutants Bacteria Mould Dust mites
Radiological pollutants Radon
Types of Inside Air Pollution
Chemical pollutants Gases and particles from appliances that burn
oil, gas or wood Tobacco smoke Household cleaners Personal care products Building materials From outside the home
Sources of Inside Air Pollution
Biological pollutants Bacteria – grow from excessive humidity from
showering Mould – grow from excessive humidity from
showering or cooking, found in damp basements Dust mites – live in the dust found on furniture and
floor coverings Radiological pollutants
Radon – seeps through cracks in the foundation and drains into the home
Sources of Inside Air Pollution
Chemical pollutants Gases and particles from appliances that burn oil, gas or wood -
particulate matter and carbon monoxide (e.g. from a fireplace if it is not properly venter or there are poor burning practices), particulates from cooking/frying, nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves, carbon monoxide leaking from furnaces
Tobacco smoke Household cleaners Personal care products Building materials – formaldehyde and VOC’s released (e.g. painting,
new furniture) From outside the home – come through the air vents (e.g. ozone,
particulate matter), or through the garage (e.g. carbon monoxide, particulates from vehicle exhaust)
Effects experienced depend on the levels to which they are exposed and the length of the exposure, in general these effects include… Asthma Allergies Respiratory ailments Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Effects of Inside Air Pollution
Specifically, these effects include… Biological Pollutants
Mould – asthma trigger, allergen Dust mites – asthma trigger, allergen, may cause asthma to
develop in some people Chemical Pollutants Released from Combustion
Carbon monoxide (CO) – flu-like symptoms, to loss of consciousness and death, cardiovascular effects in people with heart problems at lower levels
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) – respiratory irritant Particulate Matter (PM) – respiratory and cardiovascular effects
Effects of Inside Air Pollution
Chemical Pollutants Released from Products Formaldehyde – irritates eyes, note, throat and
lungs, triggers asthma, increases risk of respiratory problems, carcinogen
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – eyes, note and throat irritants, known and suspected carcinogens (e.g. benzene, trichloroethylene)
Radiological Pollutants Radon – carcinogen, risk factor for lung cancer
Industrial activities Personal every day actions
Driving Heating Our Homes
Factors that Affect the Quality of Air Outside
Ozone Particulate matter (PM)
These are the two main components of smog (describe the mix of gases and particles in the air that often causes reduced visibility)
Smog
Main Types of Outside Air Pollution
Ozone Occurs naturally in Earth’s atmosphere At high altitudes it forms a protective screen
against UV rays At low altitudes (aka ground-level), ozone is
formed when pollutants are exposed to sunlight Ozone is formed at ground-level by burning fossil
fuels and industrial processes
Types of Outside Air Pollution
Particulate matter Mix of microscope airborne liquid and solid particles Origin is either natural (e.g. windblown soil, seal salt spray,
volcanic dust) or caused by humans (e.g. burning fossil fuels, industrial processes)
Two forms Primary PM
Directly emitted into the air Secondary PM
Formed in the atmosphere from chemical reactions with nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Classification of Particulate Matter
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) <0.1 micron in diameter
Fine particles (PM2.5) <2.5 microns
Coarse particles (PM10-
2.5) between 2.5 and 10 microns
Inhalable particles (PM10) <10 microns
Carbon monoxide Forms from the incomplete combustion of
fossil fuels (e.g. vehicle’s exhaust) Nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide
By-product of burning fossil fuels
Other Forms of Outside Air Pollution
Effects experienced depend on the levels to which they are exposed and the length of the exposure, in general these effects include…
Effects to the respiratory and cardiovascular system
Effects of Outside Air Pollution
Specifically, these effects include… Ozone
Emergency room visits for asthma Hospital admissions for respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases Hospital admissions among the elderly for chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia or asthma
Premature death because of lung and heart disease
Effects of Outside Air Pollution
Particulate Matter Problems for people with chronic breathing and
heart conditions Emergency room visits and hospital admissions
for people with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions (including newborns)
Premature death because of lung and heart disease
Skin - absorption Eyes - absorption Ears - absorption Nose - inhalation Mouth - inhalation
How Air Pollution Enters Our Bodies
Top Related