Indoor Air Pollutants Flashcards
Asphyxiant IPs
Carbon monoxide
Particulate IPs
asbestos, dust & smoke
Natural-Source IPs
radon, mold, & dust
Human-made IPs
- insulation
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from furniture, paneling & carpets
- formaldehyde from building materials, furniture, upholstery, & carpeting
- lead from paints
combustion air pollutants
carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulates, & tobacco smoke
What is the source of radon-222? How does it infiltrate the house? What is its primary health effect? What are characteristics of radon gas?
- naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of uranium found in some rocks & soils
- infiltrate homes as it moves up through the soil & enters homes via the basement or cracks in the walls or foundation or dissolved in groundwater (esp. from a well)
- Exposure to radon gas can lead to radon-induced lung cancer
- Cannot see/smell, hard to catch
In what environments does mold grow? What is the primary health risk?
- found in homes, schools & buildings that have poor ventilation
- Water leaks & too much humidity
- Affects respiratory passageways
What does dust contain? How can dust be prevented?
- contain particulates of different sizes (same standards as PM for coarse v.s. fine)
- Home heating & cooling systems have filters that should be changed often
What are the sources of smoke? Primary health risk?
- candles burning
- use of fireplaces
- use of cookstoves that burn wood, charcoal & animal dung
- Use of unvented space heaters or kerosene heaters
cigarette smoke - smoke from nearby wildfires
Health Effects: - Irritate and damage respiratory systems
Where in the United States is high radon exposure more likely to occur? What factors contribute to radon exposure?
Northern regions
- The kind of bedstone and soils in an area can determine how likely radon is to affect human health
How can building owners reduce risk of radon inflitration?
- Radon tests can be performed to determine risk
- Monitoring & remediation can reduce the risk of exposure
- Sealing cracks & venting can easily reduce the risk
How do asbestos infiltrate homes and what are the health effects?
- used in insulation (but no longer used in schools or public buildings)
- causes mesothelioma (a specific kind of lung cancer)
Where can VOCs be found? `
furniture, paneling & carpets, cleaning supplies, fabric softener, dryer sheets
What are some sources of formaldehyde?
treated woods, carpets, glues & resins
What household items can produce carbon monoxide? Why is it classified as an asphyxiant?
- small engines
- stoves
- lanterns
- grills/fireplaces
- furnaces
- cars & trucks
Health Effects: CO impairs the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, dizziness, nausea & suffocation
Globally, what regions face CO pollution as a major danger?
- Developing countries (more burning of coal, less modern fuel sources)
What is sick building syndrome? What are some potential causes?
situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building
- Inadequate or faulty ventilation
- Chemical contamination from indoor sources
- Chemical contamination from outdoor sources
- Biological contamination from outside or inside
