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Who Is Most Affected By Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution consists of toxic gases or particles that can harm your health. Indoor sources of toxic gases or particles can lead to indoor levels much higher than those found outdoors. A partial list of indoor air pollutant sources includes pressed wood products, aerosol sprays, solvents, cleaning agents, moth balls, unvented or malfunctioning gas appliances, cigarettes, and wood stoves. Because there are many indoor sources of pollutants, and because people spend most of their time indoors, indoor exposures can be high and pose a significant risk to health. People may react differently to air pollutants, depending on factors such as age, preexisting medical conditions, and individual sensitivity. Immediate effects can include headache, nausea, asthma symptoms, irritation to the respiratory system or skin, fatigue, and dizziness. Long-term exposure may cause cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease. Specific indoor pollutants, their sources and their potential health effects are shown in the linked table. Children may be more vulnerable to harmful impacts from air pollutants than adults for several reasons. They breathe more air than do adults, relative to their body size, and have greater metabolic growth requirements. Their activities create exposure scenarios that are unique for children. Children spend 86% of their time indoors, on average. The home is the primary location where they spend time; time at school accounts for most of their remaining time indoors. Often children's activities bring them into close proximity with indoor sources. For example, young children spend more time on the floor where they are more likely to inhale particles stirred up by activities.

Children may be more strongly affected by air pollution because their lungs and their bodies are still developing. Children are also exposed to more air pollution than adults since they breathe faster and spend more time outdoors in strenuous activities.

What Causes Indoor Air Problems? Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

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User:Dr Karabi Dutta 15 October 2004

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Page created: 15 October 2004; Last edited: 04 February 2007; Version: 1
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Pagename: WhoIsMostAffectedByIndoorAirPollution @HEDON: KPBA