Indoor Air Pollution

When I hear someone talk about air pollution, I picture large smoke stacks belching all kinds of filth into the atmosphere. But air pollution is not limited to the outdoors. There can be several sources of air pollution inside your home.

The levels of indoor air pollutants can run much higher than those comparable in outdoor air. This can be a problem, especially during the colder months, since so much time is spent indoors.

These pollutants can increase the risk of asthma and can cause or increase the likelihood of suffering from ailments such as headaches, fatigue, burning or tired eyes, nausea and insomnia. Because of the improved design and energy efficiency in fixed windows in offices and commercial buildings, less fresh air is exchanged with indoor air exacerbating the problem.

Of all the potential indoor pollutants, carbon monoxide is probably the most dangerous. High levels of this gas can kill in minutes. The fact that this gas is odorless and colorless makes it doubly dangerous. This gas is produced during combustion from water heaters, fireplaces, gas stoves and ranges.

Home office products such as printers, copiers and even some pens and markers release toxins from the chemical composition of their toner and ink. The risk is increased in small areas that are poorly ventilated.

Here are some tips to reduce your chances of getting ill:

No Smoking – Declare your home a smoke-free environment

Buy a carbon monoxide detector – These cost about $25. Also, have any combustible appliance checked annually. Never, ever run you car for any length of time in a closed garage.

Test for radon – Another dangerous odorless gas is second only to smoking as a cause for lung cancer.

Buy an air purifier – High-energy particle absorbing (HEPA) filters remove pollutants from the air.

Run you exhaust fans – Vented range hood fans, bathroom fans, whole house fans can provide a healthy exchange of stale indoor air with pleasant, fresh outdoor air.

Watch for other areas of pollution – Limit the use of fresh paint and ventilate rooms with new carpeting as these products can give off toxic fumes. Some candles can produce toxins; some scented candles could do so without burning.

Fill your house with houseplants – Living houseplants help absorb pollutants from the air. Not only do they brighten the decor, they can actually make it healthier.

Indoor Air Pollution: Pt. F (The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry / Air Pollution)
publisher: Springer, published: 2004-12-03
ASIN: B000PC136I
sales rank: 818250

Indoor Air Pollution has become a major topic in environmental research and health. Most people spend more than 80% of their time in buildings and are exposed to a broad range of pollutants from indoor sources such as building materials, furniture, carpets and textiles, heating and cooking, household and consumer products, etc. The volume provides a comprehensive review of the major indoor air pollutants: volatile organic compounds, biocides, indoor particles and fibres, combustion products and micro-organisms and their metabolites. Sources and sinks of air pollutants in indoor environments and their chemistry are distinctly different from ambient air pollution, even though the latter may influence indoor air quality. Adsorption and desorption processes, the pollutant source dynamics, gas phase reactions and kinetics – including the fate and final chemical destiny of chemically unstable intermediate compounds – are topics of scientific research as well as the evaluation of their sensory impact and irritation potential. Guidelines for assessing indoor pollution and a broad range of analytical methods have been recently developed and are reviewed by internationally renowned scientists. The specific characteristics of indoor air pollution in developing countries due to the widespread use of open fires for cooking, heating and lighting are analysed as well as the Chinese strategies to address the growing pollution problems by air pollution in its modern building stock.

Air Pollution: Its Origin and Control (3rd Edition)
by: Kenneth Wark
publisher: Prentice Hall, published: 1997-11-23
ASIN: 0673994163
EAN: 9780673994165
sales rank: 84156
price: $119.00 (new), $127.18 (used)

A truly classic air pollution text, this book is suitable for a variety of engineers and scientists who wish to gain an introduction to the field of air pollution. Known for its detailed development and application of equations, the text emphasizes an understanding of the relationship between sources and control of air pollution, rather than being a simple “handbook” on the subject. The book presents information on four broad areas of interest in the air pollution field: the effects of pollutants on health and welfare; the laws and regulations that have been passed in efforts to improve air quality; the modeling of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants; the approaches to the control of emmisions (from both stationary and mobile sources). The third edition of this text has been modified in a number of ways. New material has been added to bring the text up to date on the latest regulations including the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The latest standards for ambient air quality and emission have been included in this revision.The authors continue to expose students to both the quantitative and the qualitative aspects of air quality management and air pollution control with several new questions and problems, with SI units emphasized to a greater extent than in the previous edition. The internet is also introduced as a valuable source of additional information. A web page is maintained by the authors which provides links to sources of interest to both instructors and students.

Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach
by: C. David Cooper
publisher: Waveland Pr Inc, published: 2010-09-01
ASIN: 157766678X
EAN: 9781577666783
sales rank: 33746
price: $73.00 (new), $65.00 (used)

A 25-year tradition of excellence is extended in the Fourth Edition of this highly regarded text. In clear, authoritative language, the authors discuss the philosophy and procedures for the design of air pollution control systems. Their objective is twofold: to present detailed information on air pollution and its control, and to provide formal design training for engineering students.

New to this edition is a comprehensive chapter on carbon dioxide control, perhaps the most critical emerging issue in the field. Emphasis is on methods to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the technologies for carbon capture and sequestration. An expanded discussion of control technologies for coal-fired power plants includes details on the capture of NOx and mercury emissions. All chapters have been revised to reflect the most recent information on U.S. air quality trends and standards. Moreover, where available, equations for equipment cost estimation have been updated to the present time. Abundant illustrations clarify the concepts presented, while numerous examples and end-of-chapter problems reinforce the design principles and provide opportunities for students to enhance their problem-solving skills.

Not-for-sale instructor resource material available to college and university faculty only; contact publisher directly.

Indoor Pollution: Portect Yourself From Indoor Pollutants
air-cleaner-systems.com – get more healthy tips on personal protection from indoor pollution and ways of elimination of air pollutants in your home. Create a healthy indoor environment and prevent asthma attacks, allergies and other respiratory problems caused by indoor pollution.
Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollutants can be even more problematic that outdoor air pollution. Dr. Stephen Hays, California Pacific Medical Center, talks about indoor air pollution such as mildew, dust and daner to radon, carbon monoxide and some household cleaners. Dr Hays give some helpful tips to protect yourself and your family.

Indoor Air Pollution

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 10:30 AM and is filed under Health issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.