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Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Dispatched
IEC-SV
Mobile Units,
Products and
Services
Indoor
Air Quality -
Sick Building
Syndrome -
Building
Related
Illness -
Contact IEC
Pollutant
Identification
Source Control
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Pollutants:
Indoors - Outside |
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Individuals are exposed to both
indoor and outdoor pollution on a daily basis. Indoor pollution is usually
at lower levels than outdoors, but sometimes indoor concentrations of
pollutants can be more intense when trapped within enclosed areas. Other
factors such as, level of exposure, time length of exposure, as well as the
individuals age and health, all contribute to the total effect that the
indoor pollution has on the individual. Susceptible individuals can
suffer from health effects that vary from no known effect to severe risk, or
hazard, with possible fatal outcomes from some pollutants. At Indoor
Environment Check pollutant identification is the primary key for the
obtainment of successful source control and the continuous healthy
management of indoor environments. |
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The table
below is general information and is provided as an introduction for the
basic understanding of some of the indoor air pollutants that can be present
in enclosed structures such as, in the home, schools, or workplace.
References and
acknowledgements are provided below for assistance in researching indoor air
quality information. For
health needs associated with indoor air quality, consumers should contact a
medical doctor or health care provider, and for legal assistance an
attorney. Indoor Environment Check encourages consumers to contact IEC for pollutant identification and source control needs.
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Managing Indoor Air Quality: Pollutant
Identification - Source Control - Contact IEC
Partial List - contact IEC to
obtain a complete list of the indoor air quality laboratory analysis
offered. |
Indoor
Pollutants
Airborne-Biological
Gases - Odors |
Indoor Sources
Triggers - Causes |
Potential
Health Effects |
At greatest health
risk are children,
the elderly, and
individuals
with compromised
immune systems.
A number of
common
indoor pollutants
have been classified
as carcinogens.
Indoor
Environments:
Home, Schools, Malls
Workplace, Hospitals,
Nursing Facilities,
Hotels, Restaurants. . .
Organic
chemicals can produce side effects from very toxic to no known effect at
all. Some factors involved include level of exposure and time exposed.
Indoor Pollutants
can cause a variety
of health effects
from mild irritants
to respiratory problems, cancer, or premature death.
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Airborne
Particulates |
Woodstoves, fireplaces, cooking, candle burning, smoking, aerosol sprays,
dust, pollen, mold, house dust and more. |
Eye, nose and throat irritation, lung cancer, respiratory infections,
bronchitis, increased asthma symptoms. |
Biological Contaminants
(Mold, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, rodents, pests or insects, bacteria) |
House dust, pets, furnishings such as draperies, bedding, carpet, moist
environments, un-vented bathrooms where mold can thrive. |
Some biological contaminants can trigger allergic reactions: some types of
asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis, eye, nose and
throat irritation, influenza and infectious diseases. Exposure to toxins
from microorganisms that grow in HVAC systems can include disease causing
biological agents. |
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Formaldehyde, Aldehydes |
Common indoor sources:
Pressed wood products
with adhesives using
urea-formaldehyde resins.
Such as: particleboard used in cabinetry and furniture, hardwood plywood
paneling, fiber board, combustion
sources, tobacco smoke,
textiles and glues. |
Health Effects
Water eyes, burning sensation
in the eyes, nose, throat, nausea and difficulty breathing at elevated
exposure levels. Wheezing, coughing, fatigue, skin rash, and severe allergic
reactions. High levels can trigger asthma. |
Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs Such as Formaldehyde) |
VOCs are emitted as gases from
solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals. Found in many
household products such as paints, cosmetics, hobby products, varnishes,
cleaning and disinfectant sprays. |
Some chemicals can have short or
long term health effects. Eye, nose and throat irritant, nausea, loss of
coordination, headaches, damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous
system. Visual disorders, memory impairment, respiratory tract
irritation and some are suspected or known to cause cancer. |
Nitrogen Dioxide - NO2
(and nitric oxide (NO) are both toxic gases) |
Un-vented combustion appliances,
gas stoves, welding, tobacco smoke. |
Irritant to eyes, nose, throat
and respiratory tract. Continued exposure can cause chronic bronchitis.
Headache, impaired mental functions, impaired vision, angina, nausea and
deadly at high concentrations. |
Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAH)
(Complex semi-volatile organic compounds) |
Cooking, Wood Burning
Appliances,
Cigarette Smoke, Candles, Incense burning, present through infiltration of
outside air to indoors. |
Cancer, Gene Mutation |
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In a report by the
California Resource Board in 2004 to the California Legislature it was cited
that one investigator calculated that indoor pollutants have a 1000 fold
greater chance of being inhaled than do those same pollutants emitted
outdoors.
(Smith, KR. Air Pollution:Assessing Total
Exposure in the United States Environment. 30(8):10, 1988.) |
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References
Environmental Protection
Agency www.epa.gov/iaq
California Resource Board. Indoor Air Pollution in California. June 2004
California Environmental Protection Agency www.ca.arb.gov
Macher, Janet., Sc.D., M.P.H. Ed., et al. "Bioaerosols: Assessment and
Control". Cincinnati: ACGIH 1999 |
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Indoor
Environment Check.com