46: Indoor Air Pollution Flashcards
What is indoor air pollution?
pollution you find inside buildings and cars
What can indoor air pollution cause?
absenteeism, reduced productivity, and health cost
dizziness, headache, coughing, nausea, burning eyes, chronic fatigue
What are the sources of indoor air pollution?
radon, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and asbestos
What is radon?
radioactive gas that comes from the ground through cracks in the foundation
What can radon cause?
lung cancers
What areas in the US are most affected by radon?
very high in southern/southwest Minnesota, Iowa
What should people do to avoid radon?
- test house for radon (particularly if you live in a basement (comes from ground))
- fill the cracks in the walls and foundation
What is formaldehyde?
a volatile organic compound (VOC)
What is formaldehyde found in?
plywood, particle board, paneling, drapes, upholstery, dry cleaned clothing
What can formaldehyde cause?
- irritate eyes, nose, throat, skin
- increase breathing problems for people with health conditions (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD))
Is the effect of formaldehyde worse in new or old buildings?
it is worse in new buildings (new materials)
What is sick building syndrome?
health symptoms that are associated only with spending time in that building
What can sick building syndrome cause?
irritation of mucous membranes, headache, tiredness, fatigue, less frequently dry and itchy skin
What is asbestos?
heat resistant mineral, doesn’t burn or conduct electricity
What was asbestos used for?
insulation but it is now banned
Is asbestos harmful?
not harmful unless it is exposed and crumbling
What can asbestos cause?
lung cancer and mesothelioma
What happened in April 2022?
EPA proposed ban of ongoing uses of asbestos
What is carbon monoxide?
product of incomplete combustion of wood, gas, coal, natural gas, and kerosene
- has no smell
- reduces ability of blood to carry oxygen
What areas does carbon monoxide affect the most?
bad in countries where people cook indoors in an open fire
What can investing in indoor air quality in schools help with?
- COVID
- flu and colds
- asthma and allergies
- student’s attention
What can we do to prevent indoor air pollution?
- Test for radon
- don’t buy products with formaldehyde
- remove your shoes before entering your home
- avoid houses built before 1980 (could contain lead and asbestos)
- don’t store solvents, gasoline, and other VOCs in the house or garage
- don’t smoke in the house
- install and check carbon monoxide detectors
