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HUMANS AND INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
Combating the problems associated with air pollution begins at home. Indoor air can be 10 to 40 times more hazardous than outdoor air. There are between 20 and 100 potentially dangerous chemical compounds in the average American home. Indoor air pollution comes primarily from six sources: woodstoves, furnaces, asbestos, passive smoke, formaldehyde, and radon.
Woodstove Smoke
Woodstoves emit significant levels of particulates and carbon monoxide in addition to other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide. If you rely on wood for heating, you should make sure that your stove is properly installed, vented, and maintained. Burning properly seasoned wood reduces the amount of particulates released into the air.
Furnace Emissions
People who rely on oil- or gas-fired furnaces also need to make sure that these appliances are properly installed, ventilated, and maintained. Inadequate cleaning and maintenance can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide in the home, which can be deadly.
Asbestos
Asbestos is another indoor air pollutant that poses serious threats to human health. Asbestos is a mineral that was commonly used in insulating materials in buildings constructed before 1970. When bonded to other materials, asbestos is relatively harmless, but if its tiny fibers become loosened and airborne, they can embed themselves in the lungs and cannot be expelled. Their presence leads to cancer of the lungs, stomach, and chest lining, and is the cause of a fatal lung disease called mesothelioma.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas present in some carpets, draperies, furniture, particle board, plywood, wood paneling, countertops, and many adhesives. It is released into the air in a process called outgassing. Outgassing is highest in new products, but the process can continue for many years.
Exposure to formaldehyde can cause respiratory problems, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Long-term exposure can lead to central nervous system disorders and cancer.
To reduce your exposure to formaldehyde, ask about the formaldehyde content of products you purchase and avoid those that contain this gas. Some houseplants, such as philodendrons and spider plants, help clean formaldehyde from the air. If you experience symptoms of formaldehyde exposure, have your home tested by a city, county or state health agency.
Radon
Radon is one of the most serious forms of indoor air pollution. This odorless, colorless gas is the natural byproduct of the decay of uranium and radium in the soil. Radon penetrates homes through cracks, pipes, sump pits, and other openings in the foundation. An estimated 30,000 cancer deaths per year have been attributed to radon, making it second only to smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer.
The EPA estimates that 1 in 15 American homes has an elevated radon level. A home-testing kit from a hardware store will enable you to test your home yourself. \"Alpha track\" detectors are commonly used for this type of short-term testing. They must remain in your home for 2 to 90 days, depending on the device.
Household Chemicals
When you use cleansers and other cleaning products, do so in a well-ventilated room, and be conservative in their use. All those caustic chemicals that zap mildew, grease, and other household annoyances cause a major risk to water and the environment. Avoid buildup. Regular cleanings will reduce the need to use potentially harmful substances. Cut down on dry cleaning, as the chemicals used by many cleaners can cause cancer. If your newly cleaned clothes smell of dry-cleaning chemicals, either return them to the cleaner or hang them in the open air until the smell is gone. Avoid the use of household air freshener products containing the carcinogenic agent dichlorobenzene.
Indoor air pollution is also a concern in the classroom and workplace. Studies show that one in five U.S. schools has indoor air quality problems, which affect an estimated 8.4 million students. Poor air quality in classrooms may lead to drowsiness, headaches, and lack of concentration. It may also affect physical growth and development. Children with asthma are particularly at risk for adverse health affects from poor air quality.
Each day, many people who work indoors complain of maladies that tend to lessen or vanish when they leave the building. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is said to exist when 80 percent of a building\'s occupants report problems. One of the primary causes of sick building syndrome is poor ventilation. Symptoms include eye irritation, sore throat, queasiness, and worsened asthma.
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GENERAL HEALTH
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