What is indoor air pollution?

Indoor air quality has become increasingly important because most residents of developed countries spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Many biological agents and non-biological agents? contaminate the air within a home, office, or other indoor environment like industrial work places. It has been estimated that some volatile organic compounds and other agents may reach an indoor level hundreds of times greater than that found in outdoor air. In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors. In addition, people who may be exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods of time are often those most susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Such groups include the young, the elderly, and the chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease.

Many studies done in the industrial workplace have identified a number of specific indoor air pollutants as the cause of medical problems in some employees; these substances have been well studied and include cobalt, nickel, chromium, vanadium, naphthalene, isocyanates, carmine, ammonium thioglycolate, and many others.

More than two billion people worldwide, mostly in the developing countries, continue to depend on solid fuels, including biomass fuels (wood, dung?, agricultural residues) and coal, for their energy needs. Cooking and heating with solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves? results in high levels of indoor air pollution. Indoor smoke contains a range of health-damaging pollutants, such as small particles and carbon monoxide, and particulate pollution levels may be 20 times higher than accepted guideline values.

According to The world health report 2002 indoor air pollution is responsible for 2.7% of the global burden of disease.

Each indoor environment is unique, and air quality may vary dramatically from room to room. It has been estimated that 15% of indoor air pollution comes directly from the humans inhabiting the building; the remainder is from non-human sources.

Pollutants can be broadly categorised as Biological Agents and Non-biological Agents?

Biological Agents The most prevalent biological agents found in indoor air include viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, amoebae, pollen grains, dust mites, insects and human and animal danders. Most bacteria in the indoor air originate from humans, whereas most fungi and pollens enter the home through windows and doors from the outdoor air or are carried in on clothing. Those familiar with environmental controls for allergy will understand many of the simple techniques used to prevent this passive transport of such agents into the home. 1.Viruses and Bacteria 2.Mold 3.Indoor Plants 4. Pets

Main sources of pollutants: House dust; pets; bedding; poorly maintained air conditioners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers; wet or moist structures; furnishings

Nonbiological Agents The most important non-biological substances include: ·Respirable particulate matter? from the tobacco smoke and combustion products, most notably wood stoves and fireplaces • Radon gas and its daughters ·CO, C02?, NO?, and N02? ·Formaldehyde? ·Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds ·Asbestos?

Any and all of these agents can act independently or in numerous combinations to cause or exacerbate respiratory symptoms.

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Who is most affected by Indoor air pollution?

What Causes Indoor Air Problems?

How to reduce Indoor air pollutants?

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User:Dr Karabi Dutta 15 October 2004

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Page created: 15 October 2004; Last edited: 15 October 2004; Version: 0
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Pagename: WhatIsIndoorAirPollution @HEDON: DPBA

What is indoor air pollution?

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