1. AIR PART II Indoor Air Pollutants

2. Nation’s leading cause of preventable death
Smoking
Nation’s leading cause of preventable death
1300 deaths per day =480,000/yr

3. Carcinogens in a Cig! Acetaldehyde: 980 mcg Arsenic: Unknown
Formaldehyde: Unknown
Lead: Unknown
Nicotine: 14 mcg
Vinyl Chloride: 27 nanograms
Benzene: mcg
Carbon Monoxide

5. Radon NOT anthropogenic (human caused)
Colorless, odorless gas that enters homes b/c of radioactive decay of Uranium 238 in earth’s rocks
Seeps through foundation of houses
Uranium Rock

6. Radon and Health A carcinogen
2nd most common cause of lung cancer (21,000 deaths/yr, behind smoking)
Test Kits Available for $10

7. Zone 1 = High, Zone 3 = Low

8. Remediation of Radon Suction systems underneath house
Sealing cracks in foundation walls and floors
Increased ventilation in house

9. Do You have this?

10. Mold A fungus that eats organic matter (wood, cardboard, drywall)
Mold Spores
Mold
A fungus that eats organic matter (wood, cardboard, drywall)
Reproduces by releasing spores into air.
Loves moist, humid conditions.

11. Mold and Health Triggers immune systems responses: allergies.
Mold spores may germinate in lungs causing lung lesions.
Vomiting

12. Asbestos Natural mineral  doesn’t burn, conduct heat or electricity
Used in electrical insulation, roofing and car brakes
Asbestos Hazard and Emergency Control Act of 1986: required all use of asbestos to be phased out by 1997

14. Asbestos Removal

16. Asbestos and Health Can separate in long thin fibers  enters lungs
cancer , mesothelioma if inhaled in high concentrations
Asbestosis: acid tries to eat away fiber; causes scarring of lungs.

17. Formaldehyde: H2CO
Caused from incomplete combustion of C containing materials.
Used as a preservative, in film processing, making glues for plywood and carpeting (construction materials).
Products decay indoors, formaldehyde is released.

18. Formaldehyde and Health
Common in houses
Watery eyes, irritates mucous membranes, headaches, diff. breathing.
CAN BE A CARCINOGEN!

19. Sick Building Syndrome
Caused by too many indoor air pollutants
Dizziness, headaches, rash, fever, fatigue
New buildings get it more  conserving energy and newer construction materials.
Causes absenteeism and loss of productivity.

20. Legionnaire's Disease
In 1976, 221 attendees of an American Legion conference became sick; 34 died
Caused by Legionella bacterial infection in lungs
8k-18k hospitalizations per year in US

21. Legionnaire's Disease
Typically related to AC systems (Legionella thrives in warm, wet environments

22. OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
Created agency which ensures employers provide employees with an env. free from hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions.

23. Children and Air Pollution
Effects are compounded among children  lungs are still developing
Have higher metabolic rates which require more O2
To get more O2, kids breathe larger volumes of air

25. Acute and Chronic Effects
Acute = sudden and severe exposure and rapid absorption of the substance
Ex. Carbon monoxide(CO) poisoning- CO binds to hemoglobin in the blood more tightly than Oxygen death
Chronic = prolonged or repeated exposure
Ex. Hg, asbestos, or cancer

26. Dose-Response Curve
LD50 (lethal dose 50%) is the median lethal dose of a pollutant or drug that kills half the members of the population tested