46: Indoor Air Pollution

Question 1

What is indoor air pollution?

Answer 1

pollution you find inside buildings and cars

Question 2

What can indoor air pollution cause?

Answer 2

absenteeism, reduced productivity, and health cost
dizziness, headache, coughing, nausea, burning eyes, chronic fatigue

Question 3

What are the sources of indoor air pollution?

Answer 3

radon, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and asbestos

Question 4

What is radon?

Answer 4

radioactive gas that comes from the ground through cracks in the foundation

Question 5

What can radon cause?

Answer 5

lung cancers

Question 6

What areas in the US are most affected by radon?

Answer 6

very high in southern/southwest Minnesota, Iowa

Question 7

What should people do to avoid radon?

Answer 7

1. test house for radon (particularly if you live in a basement (comes from ground))
2. fill the cracks in the walls and foundation

Question 8

What is formaldehyde?

Answer 8

a volatile organic compound (VOC)

Question 9

What is formaldehyde found in?

Answer 9

plywood, particle board, paneling, drapes, upholstery, dry cleaned clothing

Question 10

What can formaldehyde cause?

Answer 10

1. irritate eyes, nose, throat, skin
2. increase breathing problems for people with health conditions (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD))

Question 11

Is the effect of formaldehyde worse in new or old buildings?

Answer 11

it is worse in new buildings (new materials)

Question 12

What is sick building syndrome?

Answer 12

health symptoms that are associated only with spending time in that building

Question 13

What can sick building syndrome cause?

Answer 13

irritation of mucous membranes, headache, tiredness, fatigue, less frequently dry and itchy skin

Question 14

What is asbestos?

Answer 14

heat resistant mineral, doesn’t burn or conduct electricity

Question 15

What was asbestos used for?

Answer 15

insulation but it is now banned

Question 16

Is asbestos harmful?

Answer 16

not harmful unless it is exposed and crumbling

Question 17

What can asbestos cause?

Answer 17

lung cancer and mesothelioma

Question 18

What happened in April 2022?

Answer 18

EPA proposed ban of ongoing uses of asbestos

Question 19

What is carbon monoxide?

Answer 19

product of incomplete combustion of wood, gas, coal, natural gas, and kerosene
- has no smell
- reduces ability of blood to carry oxygen

Question 20

What areas does carbon monoxide affect the most?

Answer 20

bad in countries where people cook indoors in an open fire

Question 21

What can investing in indoor air quality in schools help with?

Answer 21

1. COVID
2. flu and colds
3. asthma and allergies
4. student’s attention

Question 22

What can we do to prevent indoor air pollution?

Answer 22

1. Test for radon
2. don’t buy products with formaldehyde
3. remove your shoes before entering your home
4. avoid houses built before 1980 (could contain lead and asbestos)
5. don’t store solvents, gasoline, and other VOCs in the house or garage
6. don’t smoke in the house
7. install and check carbon monoxide detectors