APES Get out Air Pollution Lab Get out Superfund Poster – staple rubric to the BOTTOM (So we see both the poster & the rubric at the same time)

Indoor Air Pollution Ch. 18

Indoor Air Pollution The most threatening indoor air pollutants are smoke and soot from the burning of wood and coal in cooking fires (mostly in less-developed countries), cigarette smoke, and chemicals used in building materials and cleaning products. Burning wood to cook food inside this dwelling in India (right) exposes the occupants to dangerous levels of air pollution.

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 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

Nasal cavity Oral cavity Pharynx (throat) Trachea (windpipe) Bronchus Right lung Bronchioles (see figure 17.18b) (see figure 17.18c)

Epithelial cell Cilia Mucus

Bronchiole Alveolar duct Alveoli Alveolar sac (sectioned)

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

Premature Deaths from Air Pollution in the U.S. In US EPA estimates annual deaths due to air pollution 150,000 – 350,000 = 2 – 5 fully loaded, 200 passenger airliners crashing EVERY DAY Figure 18.22: This map shows the distribution of premature deaths from air pollution in the United States, mostly from very small, fine, and ultra-fine particles added to the atmosphere by coal-burning power plants. Questions: Why do the highest death rates occur in the eastern half of the United States? If you live in the United States, what is the risk at your home or where you go to school? (Data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Fig. 18-22, p. 485