Indoor Indoor Air PollutAir Pollutantsants

Smoking

• Nation’s leading cause of preventable death

• 1205 deaths per day =418,000/yr

Carcinogens in a Cig!Carcinogens in a Cig!• Acetaldehyde: 980

mcg• Arsenic: Unknown• Formaldehyde:

Unknown• Lead: Unknown• Nicotine: 14 mcg• Vinyl Chloride: 27

nanograms• Benzene: 5.9-75 mcg• Carbon Monoxide

Radon •NOT anthropogenic (human caused)•Colorless, odorless gas that enters homes b/c of radioactive decay of Uranium 238 in earth’s rocks

• Seeps through foundation of houses

Uranium RockUranium Rock

Radon and HealthRadon and Health• A carcinogen

• 2nd most common cause of lung cancer (21,000 deaths/yr, behind smoking)

• Test Kits Available for $10

Zone 1 = High, Zone 3 = LowZone 1 = High, Zone 3 = Low

Remediation of RadonRemediation of Radon

• Suction systems underneath house• Sealing cracks in foundation walls and

floors• Increased ventilation in house

•Do You Do You have this?have this?

MoldMold

• A fungus that eats organic matter (wood, cardboard, drywall)

• Reproduces by releasing spores into air.

• Loves moist, humid conditions.

Mold SporesMold Spores

Mold and HealthMold and Health

• Triggers immune systems responses: allergies.

• Mold spores may germinate in lungs causing lung lesions.

• Vomiting

Asbestos• Natural mineral

doesn’t burn, conduct heat or electricity

• Used in electrical insulation, roofing and car brakes

•Asbestos Hazard and Emergency Control Act of 1986: required all use of asbestos to be phased out by 1997

Asbestos Asbestos Removal Removal

Asbestos and HealthAsbestos and Health • CCan separate in an separate in

long thin fibers long thin fibers enterenterss lungs lungs– ccancer , ancer ,

mesothelioma if inhaled in high concentrations concentrations

–AsbestosisAsbestosis: acid : acid tries to eat away tries to eat away fiber; causes fiber; causes scarring of lungs.scarring of lungs.

Formaldehyde: HFormaldehyde: H22COCO

• Caused from incomplete combustion of C containing materials.

• Used as a preservative, in film processing, making glues for plywood and carpeting (construction materials).

• Products decay indoors, formaldehyde is released.

Formaldehyde and HealthFormaldehyde and Health• Common in houses• Watery eyes,

irritates mucous membranes, headaches, diff. breathing.

• CAN BE A CARCINOGEN!

Sick Building SyndromeSick Building Syndrome• Caused by too many indoor air pollutants• Dizziness, headaches, rash, fever,

fatigue• New buildings get it more conserving

energy and newer construction materials.• Causes absenteeism and loss of

productivity.

OSHA

• Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

• Created agency which ensures employers provide employees with an env. free from hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions.

Children and Air PollutionChildren and Air Pollution• EEffectsffects are

compounded among children lungs are still developing

• Have higher metabolic rates which require more O2

• To get more O2, kids breathe larger volumes of air