Smog, carbon emissions, car emissions, and factory wastage
are some common terms that come to mind when you think about air pollution.
However, do you know that indoor air pollution is more dangerous and fatal than
outdoor pollution?
According to EPA, it has been scientifically proven than
indoor air quality is often more polluted than outdoor air quality. Most of the
people spend almost 90% of their time indoors. The indoor air is also more
concentrated than outdoor air. This is the reason that people who spend more
time indoors tend to have greater chances of dizziness, fatigue, headache,
runny nose, throat infections, and such.
A Breakdown of Common Pollutants and Their Sources
The outdoor air enters in your house in three ways:
·
Mechanical ventilation
·
Natural ventilation
·
Infiltration
Outdoor polluted air enters the house through cracks n
floor, joints and walls, doors, windows, openings, natural ventilation sources,
openings, and ceilings. However, indoor air is not polluted only due to outdoor
pollution. Its other common sources include these. New Carpet and New Paint: Both of them contain Volatile Organic Compounds.
Plastic Products and New Electronics: Products manufactured with polyvinyl chloride release phthalate, which react with environmental gases and make the indoor air toxic.
Broken Fluorescent Lights: Broken fluorescent lights release neurotoxins and mercury in the air.
Upholstery or Pressed Wood Furniture: New pressed wood furniture or upholstered furniture may release carcinogens, formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds. The furniture varnish also contains volatile organic compounds.
Biological Contaminants: Biological contaminants like mold, bacteria, mildew, and dust mites greatly add to lower the indoor air quality.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke or Fuel Smoke: Smoke produced due to tobacco or burners, barbecue tables, and other cooking equipments release carbon dioxide in the air and lower its quality.
Pesticide: Pesticides contains volatile organic compounds and phthalates, which are released when you spray the pesticides in air.
Lead Products: All lead products including manufacturing pipes and cosmetics react with gases and pollute the air.
Phtahlate Containing Products and Cosmetics: Pesticides, insect killers, new paint, air fresheners, laundry surfs, hair dyes and cosmetic products essentially contain phthalates, which make the environment polluted.
Teflon Fumes: Nonstick pans and cooking utensils are used in most of the houses for cooking purposes today. However, when you cook food in them at high flame, the utensil releases Teflon fumes in the air which pollute the air.
Glues and Adhesives: Rich in volatile organic compounds, glues and adhesives release methyl ethyl ketone in the air and affect the central nervous system.
Impact on Human Health: According to the World Health Organization, around 4.3 million people die prematurely in a year due to poor indoor air quality. The report breaks down the ratio of these deaths as following:
·
34% due to stroke
·
26% due to ischaemic heart disease
·
22% due to chronic pulmonary disease
·
12% due to pneumonia
·
6% due to lung cancer
There are a number of ways to improve indoor air quality.
Immediate steps include using a ventilator, dehumidifier, and eliminating old
organic products and products containing formaldehyde and phthalates from the
house. This can reduce the chances of aforementioned diseases by up to 60%.
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References:
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