Developing Countries Indoor burning of wood, charcoal, dung, crop residues, coal Poor suffer the greatest risk

Developed Countries WHY? Indoor air pollution > outdoor air pollution WHY? 11 of the common air pollutants higher inside than outside Greater in vehicles than outside Health risks magnified: people spend 70 – 98% of their time indoors/in cars.

Who is at greatest risk? Children under 5 Elderly Sick Pregnant Women People with respiratory disorders or heart problems Smokers Factory Workers

Para-dichlorobenzene Source: Air fresheners, mothball crystals Chloroform Source: Chlorine-treated water in hot showers Possible threat: Cancer Para-dichlorobenzene Source: Air fresheners, mothball crystals Threat: Cancer Tetrachloroethylene Source: Dry-cleaning fluid fumes on clothes Threat: Nerve disorders, damage to liver and kidneys, possible cancer Formaldehyde Source: Furniture stuffing, paneling, particleboard, foam insulation Threat: Irritation of eyes, throat, skin, and lungs; nausea; dizziness 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Source: Aerosol sprays Threat: Dizziness, irregular breathing Styrene Source: Carpets, plastic products Threat: Kidney and liver damage Nitrogen oxides Source: Unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: Irritated lungs, children's colds, headaches Benzo- -pyrene Source: Tobacco smoke,woodstoves Threat: Lung cancer Particulates Source: Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, cooking smoke particles Threat: Irritated lungs, asthma attacks, itchy eyes, runny nose, lung disease Figure 18.19: Numerous indoor air pollutants are found in most modern homes (Concept 18-4). Question: To which of these pollutants are you exposed? (Data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Levels of 11 common pollutants generally are 2 – 5X higher inside US homes and buildings than outdoors Some 100X higher Radon-222 Source: Radioactive soil and rock surrounding foundation, water supply Threat: Lung cancer Tobacco smoke Source: Cigarettes Threat: Lung cancer, respiratory ailments, heart disease Asbestos Source: Pipe insulation, vinyl ceiling and floor tiles Threat: Lung disease, lung cancer Carbon monoxide Source: Faulty furnaces, unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: Headaches, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, death Methylene chloride Source: Paint strippers and thinners Threat: Nerve disorders, diabetes Fig. 18-19, p. 482

Indoor Air Pollutant Carbon Monoxide Source Furnaces, gas and wood stoves, fireplaces Threat to humans  Headaches, drowsiness, irregular heart beat, death Common in Households  With today’s homes, most have electrical heat in their homes, and ventilation is standard and regulated with detectors in homes

Indoor Air Pollutants Radon Sources Radioactive soil and surrounding rocks and water supply Threats to Humans  Lung Cancer, allergic reactions with asthma, emphysema Common in Households  In the US, the Midwest and the Northeast are the most vulnerable because of the rock strata beneath

Indoor Air Pollution Asbestos Sources Pipe Insulation, floor tiles, and vinyl ceilings Threats to Humans asbestosis, lung disease, and lung cancer Common in Households In homes before 1980s, very common because of the materials that were available and the benefits of this product

Indoor Air Pollutants Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) Sources  paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers Threats  Any kind of conditions that come with respiratory disease Common in Households High rates if you have large amounts of cleaning supplies in small spaces

Indoor Air Pollutants Living Organisms Sources Pets, pollen, dust mites, smaller bugs, flies Threats to humans Any respiratory diseases in conjecture with blood born diseases, allergies and asthma Common in Homes Depending on conditions, like cleanliness and pets present, it could high or low commonality

Indoor Air Pollutants Formaldehyde Sources  used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products (furniture and cleaning products/polishes) Threats to humans cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat/ High levels could cause cancer Common in homes There is less formaldehyde in houses today because of it being faded out in the 80s and 90s

Indoor Air Pollutants Tobacco Smoke Sources Cigarettes and cigars, pipe tobacco Threats to Humans Tough, throat, lung cancer, small to large lower respiratory problems Common in Homes Only if there is a smoker present in the home or living domicile

Indoor Air Pollution Sick Building Syndrome Fig. 17-17 p. 434 Sick building syndrome – dizziness, headaches, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breathe, nausea, burning eyes, sore throats, fatigue etc. 1/5 buildings in US = sick Chloroform Para-dichlorobenzene: Source: Chlorine-treated water in hot showers Source: Air fresh., moth balls Possible threat: Cancer Threat: cancer 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Source: Aerosol sprays Threat: Dizziness, irregular breathing Nitrogen Oxides Source: Unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: irritated lungs, children’s colds, headaches Asbestos Source: Pipe insulation, vinyl ceiling and floor tiles Threat: Lung diseases Caron Monoxide: Faulty furnaces, unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: Headaches, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, death Methylene Chloride Source: Paint strippers and thinners Threat: Nerve disorders, diabetes Radon-222 Source: Radioactive soil and rock surrounding foundation, water supply Threat: lung cancer Styrene Source: Carpets, plastic products, Threat: kidney and liver damage Benzo-pyrene Source: tobacco smoke, woodstoves Formaldehyde Source: Furniture stuffing, paneling, particle board, foam insulation Threat: irritation of eyes, throat, skin, and lungs, nausea, dizziness Tetrachloroethylene Source: Dry-cleaning fluid fumes and clothes Threat: nerve disorders, damage to liver and kidneys, possible cancer

Four Most Dangerous Indoor Air Pollutants Tobacco Smoke Formaldehyde (CH2O) Radioactive radon – 222 gas Very Small particles Most dangerous in developed countries Formaldehyde from building products Radon from underground rock Small particles from emissions from motor vehicles, coal burning and industrial power plants, wood burning, and forest/grass fires. Formaldehyde causes most probs.

Other Possible Indoor Air Pollutants Pesticide Residue Pb Particles Living organisms & their excrements Dust mites & cockroach droppings Airborne spores of molds & mildew Spores cause headaches and allergic reactions aggravate asthma and other respiratory diseases

Radon-222 Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas Produced by natural decay of Uranium-238, small amounts found in rocks/soil

Radon-222 When released outside Can build to high levels inside. decay = harmless Can build to high levels inside.

Radon Gas Case Study

Radon-222 Decays into solid particles of other radioactive elements. ie: polonium-210 Inhaled exposes lungs to alpha particles 2nd leading cause of lung cancer

Effects of Air Pollution on Living Organisms and Materials Damage to mucous membranes Respiratory Disease Lung cancer Asthma – allergic reaction Chronic Bronchitis – persistent inflammation Emphysema – Irreversible damage

Effects of Air Pollution on Living Organisms and Materials Damage to plant leaves and roots Reduction in primary productivity Deterioration of materials (see table 17 - 3