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

2. 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.

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

4. 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 , p. 482

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Indoor Air Pollution Sick Building Syndrome
Fig
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

13. 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.

14. 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

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

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

18. Radon Gas Case Study

19. 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

20. 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

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