Indoor Pollution Marisa McAllister Whitney Humphrey

WHAT???

Sources of Pollution Combustion sources: gas, kerosene, wood, tobacco Combustion sources: gas, kerosene, wood, tobacco Furnishings that are deteriorating: may contain asbestos or formaldehyde Furnishings that are deteriorating: may contain asbestos or formaldehyde Household cleaning products Household cleaning products Personal care products Personal care products Pesticides Pesticides Central heating or cooling Central heating or cooling

AND... Radon!!! - Radon is a noble gas - It is colorless, oderless, and tasteless - It is part of the decay of Uranium All radon isotopes are radioactive, but radon-222 is the most hazardous due to its long half-life (3.8 days) - When it decays it is through the process of fission

How does radon get into my house?

It has been found in homes build over uranium mill tailing deposits It has been found in homes build over uranium mill tailing deposits The gas seeps through the cracks in the basement floors The gas seeps through the cracks in the basement floors It is soluble so it can be easily spread It is soluble so it can be easily spread When it further decays polonium-214 and 218 are created, which can attach to dust and smoke and more easily enter lungs When it further decays polonium-214 and 218 are created, which can attach to dust and smoke and more easily enter lungs

How does Radon get into my house??

Why is radon dangerous? These particles that decay release alpha- particles into the lungs These particles that decay release alpha- particles into the lungs These particles are not large enough to penetrate human skin, but they can enter the lungs through inhalation These particles are not large enough to penetrate human skin, but they can enter the lungs through inhalation This can cause lung cancer This can cause lung cancer

How do I get rid of radon in my house? First purchase a test kit to determine if in fact you do have radon in your house First purchase a test kit to determine if in fact you do have radon in your house If you have high levels of radon in your house it must be properly ventilated If you have high levels of radon in your house it must be properly ventilated Or install a ventilation duct to take air from your basement and move it outside Or install a ventilation duct to take air from your basement and move it outside

Formaldehyde (H 2 CO) A rather disagreeable-smelling liquid that is used in biology and industry A rather disagreeable-smelling liquid that is used in biology and industry Gas at room temperature, but is soluble in water Gas at room temperature, but is soluble in water

The where and how? Comes from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials, smoke from forest fires, automobile exhaust, and tobacco smoke. Comes from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials, smoke from forest fires, automobile exhaust, and tobacco smoke. Can be produced by the action of sunlight and oxygen on atmospheric methane and other hydrocarbons. Can be produced by the action of sunlight and oxygen on atmospheric methane and other hydrocarbons.

… in the industry! Formaldehyde is produced by the catalytic oxidation of methanol. Formaldehyde is produced by the catalytic oxidation of methanol. The Formox Process is an iron oxide system and is as follows: The Formox Process is an iron oxide system and is as follows: 2CH 3 OH + O 2  2H 2 CO + 2H 2 O

Uses in Industry Used in permanent adhesives (plywood and carpeting) Used in permanent adhesives (plywood and carpeting) Paper sanitary products (facial tissue, table napkins, and paper towels) Paper sanitary products (facial tissue, table napkins, and paper towels) Foam can be used in insulation or cast into molded products Foam can be used in insulation or cast into molded products Photography Photography

… in biology! Kills most bacteria and fungi and their spores Kills most bacteria and fungi and their spores Preserves vaccinations Preserves vaccinations Applied to skin to treat warts Applied to skin to treat warts Preserves tissues and cells Preserves tissues and cells embalming embalming

Health effects.. Uh oh! Can irritate eyes and mucous membranes Can irritate eyes and mucous membranes If inhaled: headaches, burning sensation in throat, difficulty breathing, trigger asthma, nausea, and drowsiness If inhaled: headaches, burning sensation in throat, difficulty breathing, trigger asthma, nausea, and drowsiness If ingested: rise in body acidity, rapid, shallow breathing, blurred vision or complete blindness, hypothermia, coma or death. If ingested: rise in body acidity, rapid, shallow breathing, blurred vision or complete blindness, hypothermia, coma or death.

Health A safe standard as been set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency at 0.1 ppm by volume. A safe standard as been set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency at 0.1 ppm by volume. Air purifiers that contain oxidants such as Al 2 O 3 and KMnO 4 convert formaldehyde to the less harmful formic acid. Air purifiers that contain oxidants such as Al 2 O 3 and KMnO 4 convert formaldehyde to the less harmful formic acid.