Most of us are well aware of outdoor sources of air pollution. And most of us have experienced first hand the results of that pollution. You know, that orange haze on the horizon – otherwise known as smog.
But others have experienced health problems caused by air pollution, such as the development or worsening of respiratory illnesses. But what about indoor air quality (IAQ)? After all, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors. While it is largely known that outdoor pollutants can cause health problems, it is less known but becoming more apparent that indoor pollutants can also have a significant affect on health.
IAQ is becoming more of a priority for environmental and health groups as an area of research and focus because of the identified health problems associated with pollutants that people are exposed to indoors. It is also an increasing area of interest for architects and builders who want to keep their designs energy efficient, environmentally sound, and minimally polluted. Understanding more about the sources of indoor pollutants and how to reduce them can help address and prevent health risks associated with poor IAQ.
Unfortunately, research on the topic of IAQ is limited. Much more research is needed to understand how to measure pollutants that are present indoors and how to reduce pollutants that are released from various consumer products and building materials. But there are many important things that are known.
Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
Common sources of indoor air pollution as outlined by the EPA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) include:
- Tobacco smoke otherwise referred to as ETS (environmental tobacco smoke) or secondhand smoke
- Combustion products such as oil, gas, kerosene coal and wood
- Formaldehyde often found in pressed wood products (including some furniture and other home furnishings)
- Asbestos
- Household chemicals and products related to cleaning and/or hobbies
- Pesticides
- Biological contaminants such as mold, mildew, dust, and dust mites
- Lead
- Radon
Known Health Problems
- According to the EPA, tobacco smoke may exacerbate asthma symptoms for 1,000,000 children.
- Asbestos, radon, tobacco smoke, and other indoor contaminants are known to cause cancer in humans.
- According to the EPA, tobacco smoke causes an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths in non-smokers annually.
- According to the National Academy of Sciences, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country.
- Biological contaminants can trigger and worsen symptoms of allergies and asthma and cause flu-like illnesses and other infectious diseases.
- Children are especially susceptible to lead which can cause problems with the central nervous system, kidneys, and blood cells, and can impair mental and physical development.
The groups of people who are particularly susceptible to the health risks associated with indoor air include children, those whose immune systems aren't working properly (making it hard for them to fight off disease), the elderly, smokers, and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma and allergies.
What Can You Do About Indoor Air Pollution?
The EPA recommends identifying and reducing the sources of poor indoor pollution, improving the ventilation in your home, using air cleaners for certain problems, and contacting your local environmental and health departments for further suggestions and resources. In addition, the EPA has a publication entitled "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality" with more detailed and additional information on all of these topics.
If you are aware of various pollutants in your home, address them and/or try to reduce or remove the source. If you or your family seem to be experiencing physical symptoms that are otherwise unexplained – such as irritated eyes, respiratory irritation, nose and throat irritations, fever, headaches or dizziness to name a few – check with your physician and local environmental and/or health departments about the resources available to you to investigate the role of indoor pollutants as a potential cause of your symptoms.
We often say we're going to "step outside to get some fresh air," but it will be of great benefit to our health if we keep the air fresh inside as well. |
