1. Indoor Air Pollution

2. Indoor Air Quality

3. Indoor Air Pollution Indoor air contains higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air (up to 70x) Indoor air pollution usually is a greater threat to human health than outdoor air pollution. –Avg. U.S. citizen spends 90% of time indoors –6,000 people die per day from indoor air pollution related health problems

4. Most dangerous indoor air pollutants Cigarette smoke—leads to lung cancer & heart disease Formaldehyde—colorless, extremely irritating gas used to manufacture household materials Building materials (plywood, paneling, high-gloss wood) –Building Materials (6:43)Building Materials Furniture Drapes & upholstery Adhesives in carpeting & wallpaper Radioactive Radon-222 gas –Produced by the radioactive decay of uranium-238 –Exposes lungs to ionizing radiation –Second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking –Radon (2:06)Radon –Radon 2 (1:28)Radon 2

5. Asbestos—especially in developing nations –Several different forms of silicate minerals –Widely used as a building material –1989—EPA ordered a ban on remaining uses of asbestos by 1997 –Asbestos (2:16)Asbestos Carbon monoxide—Faulty furnaces, stoves, fireplaces & Cigarette smoking –Causes headache, heartbeat irregularity, & carboxyhemoglobin –Carbon Monoxide (4:44)Carbon Monoxide Organic materials—Dust mites, fungal spores, animal dander, hair, carpet fibers –Allergies, coughs, sneezing, eye irritation Burning of wood, dung, & coal in open fires—developing nations Most dangerous indoor air pollutants

6. Developed Countries According to the EPA, the 4 most dangerous indoor air pollutants in developed countries are: –Tobacco smoke –Formaldehyde –Radioactive radon-222 gas –Very small fine & ultrafine particles

7. Developing Countries Solid particulates - from burning wood, charcoal, dung, crop waste –With little to no ventilation –Soot and carbon monoxide

8. Sick-Building Syndrome A sickness produced by indoor pollution w/ general & nonspecific symptoms persistent set of symptoms in >20% population complaints/Symptoms relieved after exiting building Dizziness, headaches, coughing, sneezing, nausea, & flu-like symptoms New buildings are more commonly “sick” than old ones because of reduced air exchange. –Chemicals released from new carpet, paint and furniture –Can be solved with low-toxicity building materials & good ventilation –Sick Building Syndrome (1:05)Sick Building Syndrome

9. Reducing Indoor Air Pollution In developed countries: –Use low-toxicity materials –Monitor air quality –Keep rooms clean –Ban indoor smoking –Prevent radon infiltration –Increase intake of outside air –Set stricter formaldehyde emission standards –Limit exposure to chemicals In developing countries: –Dry wood before burning –Cook outside –Use less-polluting fuels (natural gas)