1. Indoor Air Pollution

2. I. Indoor Air Pollution A.In developing countries, the indoor burning of wood, charcoal, dung, crop residues, and coal in open fires or poorly ventilated stoves exposes people to dangerous levels of particulate air pollution. B.According to the WHO, “indoor air pollution is, for poor people, the world’s most serious air pollution problem.”

3. I. Indoor Air Pollution C. Indoor air pollution is also a serious problem for people in developed countries. You often inhale more pollutants indoors than you would outdoors. Indoor air pollution usually poses a much greater threat to human health than outdoor air pollution. D. Since 1990, the EPA has placed indoor air pollution at the top of the list of 18 sources of cancer risk.

4. I. Indoor Air Pollution E. According to the EPA, the four most dangerous indoor air pollutants are tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, radioactive radon-222 gas, and very small particles. F. Other indoor air pollutants that cause problems are asbestos, carbon monoxide, lead, biological particles (bacteria, mold, dust mites), and VOCs.

5. II. Specific pollutants A. Specific pollutants are found in different aged buildings – lead and asbestos are generally only found in older buildings, while formaldehyde and VOCs tend to be found at high levels in very new buildings, or buildings with new flooring or cabinets. Houses with wood burning stoves tend to have issues with carbon monoxide and particulates.

6. II. Specific pollutants B. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is produced from combustion of tobacco. 1)Health problems include cancer, respiratory problems, emphysema, and ear infections in children exposed to secondary smoke. 2)Methods to prevent and clean up include stopping smoking.

7. II. Specific pollutants C. Formaldehyde is found in furniture stuffing, particle board, new furniture, plywood, and carpeting. 1)It is a severe irritant of eyes, nose, and lungs, causes lung cancer, nausea and dizziness, and impaired breathing. 2)Improved ventilation will help, as well as alternative building materials.

8. II. Specific pollutants D. Radon: Radon-222 is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas produced from radioactive decay of uranium-238 in rocks and soils. This isotope is much more concentrated in phosphate, granite, and shale. Radon gas seeps up from the ground through cracks in the foundations of homes and builds up to high levels.

9. II. Specific pollutants 1.Health effects of radon mostly include lung cancer from radiation exposure. 2.Radon can be effectively controlled by testing and then sealing any cracks in the foundation.

10. II. Specific pollutants E. Lead and Asbestos – lead is found in paint manufactured before 1978, and asbestos is found in insulation, ceiling tiles, and spray-on fire retardant in buildings built before the 1980s. 1) Asbestos causes lung cancer and respiratory issues, and AIRBORNE lead particulates cause impaired mental and physical development, headaches, seizures, and birth defects.

11. II. Specific pollutants 2) Lead and asbestos are mitigated primarily through careful removal. F. Biologicals such as dust mites, mold, and mildew are found throughout the house and aggravate allergies and can cause asthma. Mold spores are the single greatest cause of allergic reactions to indoor air. 1) Removal of mold, carefully controlling humidity levels, and maintaining air conditioners all help with biologicals.

12. II. Specific pollutants G. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are found in paints, solvents, varnishes, cleaning products, carpets, drapes, and clothing. 1)VOCs are a respiratory irritant, and are thought to depress the immune system and are listed as a probable carcinogen. 2)Adequate ventilation and alternate products are ways to reduce exposure

13. III. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) A.A sick building is one in which many people report adverse health effects that they believe are from spending time in the building. B.These adverse health effects must be persistent and reduce or disappear when building occupants go outside. C. EPA studies indicate that one in five commercial buildings in the U.S. is “sick,” exposing employees to health risks.

14. III. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS D. Sick building syndrome is related to indoor air pollution, and symptoms are corresponding to effects of air pollution. E. Symptoms of SBS, when reported in multiple people, include: Coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, nausea, burning eyes, chronic fatigue, sore throats, respiratory infections, ear infections, flu-like symptoms, headaches, asthma/allergy attacks, and depression.