INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

BY

ISMAEL ABD ELMONEM

ATTIA
PROFESSOR OF CHEST
DISEASES

Indoor air pollution

Air pollution is the introduction of
chemicals, particulate matter, or
biological material-- that cause harm
discomfort to humans or other living
organisms, or damages the natural
. environment,-- into the atmosphere

??What is Ventilation
A process, whereby air is supplied
and removed from an indoor space
.by natural or mechanical means
?Why ventilation is needed indoors
To remove heat or moisture OR to
reduce the concentration of one
.OR more indoor pollutants

Types of Ventilation

Natural-1
Mechanical-2

Natural
:Ventilation

It lnvolves flow of outdoor air through windows, -1

cracks and a variety of openings in the buildings.
2-Movement of air from indoor spaces to
outdoor.

Limitation of Natural Ventilation

Fairly inefficient as it is NOT UNIFORMLY.distributed
It brings POLLENS & OTHER POLLUTANTS from .outside air

Mechanical
ventilation

It involves use of fans and heating / air

conditioning equipments.

Principle of mechanical ventilation

Pulling fresh air from outside to indoor .spaces
.Exhaust stale air.Control temperature and humidity inside-

INDOOR AIR
POLLUTION
Indoor air pollutants may be up to 100times higher than outdoor levels.
.(Environmental protection agency)
Most people spend 90% of their timeindoors. (American Lung Association)
Dirty ventilation systems are a 50%
contributor to sick building syndrome.
.(Healthy Buildings International)

INDOOR AIR
POLLUTION
of all illnesses are either caused or 50%aggravated by polluted indoor air. (American
.College of Allergists)
Legionnaires disease was spawned in air conditioning ducts. (ALA) -Indoor airpollution is
the primary cause in as many as 50 million
cases of occupational chronic respiratory
.disease each year. (World Health Organization)
-

INDOOR AIR
POLLUTION
One out of six people who suffer from
allergies do so because of the direct result
of the fungi and bacteria in the air duct
systems. (Total Health & Better Health
Magazine)
As many as one billion people, mostly women and children, are regularly exposed
to levels of indoor air pollution exceeding
.WHO guidelines by up to 100 times. (WHO)

What Causes Indoor Air

??Pollution
Air tightness of buildings
Poorly designed air conditioning and
ventilation systems
Indoor sources of pollution
Outdoor sources of pollution

What Causes Indoor Air

??Pollution
Air Tightness in Buildings Causes
inadequate supply of fresh air, as a result,
:negative pressure develops, which causes
Ground level pollutants, e.g. CO, Radon
. etc.to be drawn inside the buildings
Release of odor (Bioaerosols) and other
. pollutants

What Causes Indoor Air

??Pollution
Pull outside polluted air from vents,
cracks and openings and increase dust,
. pollen etc
.Causes Sick Building Syndrome
Poorly Designed Air Conditioning
Systems Results into the production of
fungi, molds and other sickness causing
. microbes

??What Causes Indoor Air Pollution

Air tightness of buildings
Poorly designed air conditioning and
ventilation systems
Indoor sources of pollution
Outdoor sources of pollution

??What Causes Indoor Air Pollution

Air Tightness in Buildings Causes inadequate supply of
fresh air, as a result, negative pressure develops, which
: causes
Ground level pollutants, e.g. CO, Radon etc.to be
. drawn inside the buildings
. Release of odor (Bioaerosols) and other pollutants
Pull outside polluted air from vents, cracks and
. openings and increase dust, pollen etc
. Causes Sick Building Syndrome

What Causes Indoor Air

??Pollution
Poorly Designed Air Conditioning Systems Results into
the production of fungi, molds and other sickness
. causing microbes
Problems of IAQ Enclosed spaces inhabited by humans
-produce following effects
. Reduction in oxygen level of spaces
. Increase in CO2 level
. Increase in temperature
Increase in humidity
Increase in Bioaerosols and odor

How can I tell that indoor

?air is contaminated
Sniff the air. The nose is the best
odor and gas detector, and a
good particle detector as well,
especially when first entering a
.contaminated environment

Pollutants
Pollutants can be classified as either
primary or secondary

primary pollutants
are substances directly emitted from a
process, such as the carbon monoxide
gas from a motor vehicle exhaust or
.sulfur dioxide released from factories

Pollutants
Secondary pollutants
are not emitted directly. Rather, they
form in the air when primary pollutants
react or interact. An important example
of a secondary pollutant is ground level
. ozone

Indoor air quality

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a term
referring to the air quality
within and around buildings
.and structures

Indoor air quality

IAQ can be affected by microbial
contaminants (mold, bacteria),
gases (including carbon
monoxide, radon, volatile
organic compounds),and
.particulates

Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollutants

Health effects due to indoor air pollutants
. may be short- as well as long-term

Short-term problems include a

stuffy, odorous environment and
symptoms such as burning eyes, skin
.irritation, and headaches

Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollutants

Long-term health problems have a longer
.latency period or are chronic in nature
Health conditions involving some allergic
reactions, including hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis, and some types
. of asthma, are triggered by bioaerosols

Control of Indoor Air Pollution

Basic approaches to control indoor air
pollution include source control, source
isolation, increased ventilation,
dehumidification, and the use of filters.
Possible sources of contamination are
. eliminated in a source-control strategy

Control of Indoor Air Pollution

Examples include banning smoking in public
. buildings
Source-isolation strategy is used in situations where a
source cannot be completely eliminated. For
instance, copy machine areas, food service stations,
and bathrooms are often separately vented outside
. buildings to avoid the recirculation of return air

Control of Indoor Air Pollution

Low humidity should be maintained inside a
.house to limit the growth of such bacteria
Indoor air pollution can be a very serious
problem. You should be aware of the
potential health hazards within your
home, and you should also know how to
effectively reduce the levels of air
pollutants

What is sick building

?syndrome
The feeling of illness among majority
of occupants of a conditioned space
. is called Sick Building Syndrome
A variety of illness symptoms
reported by occupants in sick
buildings are Headache, fatigue,
irritation in eyes, nose and throat,
. shortness of breathe etc

What is sick building

?syndrome
Causes
Inadequate ventilation
insufficient supply of outside air;
; poor mixing
fluctuations in temperature &
; humidity

Main indoor
pollutants
andsources,continue
their sources
Main indoor
air pollutant
and their

Pollutant

Sources

Environmental
tobacco smoke

Cigarette and water pipe smoking

Carbon monoxide

Unburned kerosene, gas water

heaters, gas stoves, automobile
exhaust, tobacco smoke

Lead

Lead based paints, contaminated

soil, dust and drinking water

Asbestos

Deteriorating, damaged, or
disturbed insulation, fireproofing,
acoustical materials, and floor tiles

Main indoor air pollutant and their sources

NO2

Kerosene heaters, un-vented gas stoves and heaters.

Environmental tobacco smoke

Formaldehyde

Furniture made with pressed wood products, ureaformaldehyde foam insulation, environmental
tobacco smoke, glues

Volatile organic compounds Paint, paint stripper, solvent aerosol sprays

Respirable particles

Kerosene heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces,

environmental tobacco smoke

Biological pollutants

Dust mite, Pet dander, droppings and body parts of

cockroaches rodents and other pests

Radon

Building materials and well water

:Common pollutants
Respirable Particles
Respirable particles come from wood
stoves, fireplaces, kerosene heaters,
and tobacco smoke. They can cause
eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well
as respiratory infections and ailments
. (such as bronchitis and lung cancer)

Volatile Organic Compounds

VOCs are volatile organic compounds. Breaking down
the words in the phrase leads to clarity Volatile - readily vaporized, rapidly changeable
Organic - Of, relating to, or derived from living
organisms: organic matter.
In Chemistry - of or designating carbon compounds.
Compounds - (In Chemistry,) consisting of atoms or
ions of two or more different elements .VOCs are
the most difficult to detect and measure. VOCs often
affect the nervous and immune systems, causing
loss of productivity, nausea, long-term chronic
illness, cancer or death

Formaldehyde
?What are the major sources of formaldehyde

It is used in a variety of products, ranging from

lipstick and shampoo to kitchen cabinets and
carpeting, because it is an excellent preservative
and bonding agent. Pressed wood products and
furniture made with these products are found in
.offices and homes throughout the world

Pesticides

If the pesticides must be used indoors,

make sure the area is well ventilated

Lead
Airborne Lead
Indoors, the chief source is paint. Additional sources of
airborne lead include art and craft materials.Significant
quantities are found in many paints and glazes, stained
glass, as well as in some solder.Repair and cleaning of
automobile radiators in inadequately ventilated premises
.can expose workers to perilous levels of airborne lead

Asbestos
When asbestos-containing material is damaged
or disintegrates with age, microscopic fibers
may be dispersed into the air
Asbestos is found in some older insulation and
fireproofing materials. Prolonged exposure to
asbestos particles can cause cancer and lung
diseases. Smokers are at a higher risk to
asbestos than non-smokers. If you live in an
older home, be sure to have professionals
inspect your house before. disturbing any
.potential sources of asbestos

Biological Pollutants
Biological pollutants include molds,
mildews, bacteria, and small insects and
other pests. They are found in damp
places, in bedding, and on pets. There are
many illnesses that are associated with
biological pollutants, including respiratory
. irritations and some serious diseases

Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) comes from incomplete
burning. CO can come from all fuel-burning
appliances (furnaces, water heaters, stoves,
ovens), as well as from fireplaces and wood
stoves. Car exhaust is also a major source of
CO, as well as tobacco smoke. Carbon
monoxide can cause headaches, nausea,
fatigue, blurred vision, rapid heart beat, loss of
muscle control, and flu-like symptoms.
. Breathing carbon monoxide can be fatal

Ozone
It is produced by ultraviolet light from the
Sun hitting the Earth's atmosphere ,
lightning, certain electric devices (such
as air ionisers), and as a byproduct of
other types of pollution. Ozone itself is
irritating to lung tissue and harmful to
.human health

Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas produced by
. kerosene heaters, and unvented gas stoves
NO2 can case eye, nose, and throat irritation, and it
. may impair lung function in young children

Radon

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer,

following smoking. Radon is odorless, colorless, and
tasteless. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas
resulting from the decay of radium, itself a decay
. product of uranium
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the decay o
uranium in the Earth. It comes up through cracks in
the ground and can get into your basement. It can
accumulate in the basement up to levels which can
cause lung cancer. Smokers are at an especially high
. risk of getting lung cancer from radon

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Environmental tobacco smoke is a major source of indoor air
. contaminants
Acute cardiovascular effects of ETS include increased heart
rate, blood pressure, blood carboxyhemoglobin; and related
reduction in exercise capacity in those with stable angina
and in healthy people. Studies have also found increased
incidence of nonfatal heart disease among nonsmokers
exposed to ETS, and it is thought likely that ETS increases
.the risk of peripheral vascular disease, as well
The most effective solution is to eliminate all smoking from the
individual's environment, either through smoking
prohibitions or by restricting smoking to properly designed
smoking rooms. These rooms should be separately
.ventilated to the outside

Keep Your Home Healthy

Indoor air quality is important because we
breathe about 5,000 gallons of air daily and
spend 90 percent of our tme in
doors.Everyone's health is affected by
indoor air quality, but children and the
elderly are at higherisk of adverse effects.
Indoor air quality problems can be life
threatening, such as exposure to carbon
. monoxide

Keep Your Home Healthy

Moisture
Many activities in the home produce moisture that
needs to be removed. Remove moisture by
ventilation when outside temperatures are cool
and with airconditioning when outside
. temperatures are warm

Keep Your Home Healthy

MoldS
A major problem with excess moisture in the home is
mold.Exposure to mold can cause cold-like
symptoms, respiratory problems, nasal and sinus
congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, coughing and
. skin irritations, and can trigger asthma attacks

Keep Your Home

Healthy
Dust mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures (too small to see) that feed on
human skin cells that we shed each day. Mites may cause
symptoms such as a runny nose or watery, itchy eyes in
. allergic people
Keep humidity levels less than 50 percent and provide
ventilation to minimize dust mites. Wash sheets weekly in
water that is 130 F or warmer.Mattress pads and other
.. bedding also should be washed in hot water

Keep Your Home Healthy

Bathroom exhaust fan
Run the bathroom exhaust fan during and for
a few minutes after showers to exhaust the
moisture. You should be able to feel air
entering the bathroom under the bathroom
door while the exhaust fan is running. Keep
.surfaces dry to prevent mold growth

Keep Your Home Healthy

Closets
The relative humidity of the air in a closet may be at a
level conducive to mold growth. Leave closet doors
open during very cold weather. Clothes stored in a
basement may become musty, particularly during the
summer, if the humidity is above about 70 percent.
Stored clothes should be clean and dry. Boxed articles
will stay wet if they become damp, creating an
. environment conducive to mold growth

Keep Your Home Healthy

Furniture
Keep furniture away from outside walls to
permit air circulation. Cool areas behind
furniture will be high humidity areas
. conducive to mold growth

Keep Your Home Healthy

Clothes dryer
Vent a clothes dryer outdoors. About 5
pints of water are removed per load of
clothes. This amount of moisture could
cause severe moisture problems,such
as mold growth, if vented into the
. house

Keep Your Home

Healthy

Periodically vacuum the mattress to

remove skin fragments that create an
environment conducive to dust mites.
Special pillow and mattress covers can
minimize dust mite exposure. Replace
.pillows about every five years

Can carpet make

?people sick
Carpet can be a source of chemical emissions. Carpet emits
volatile organic compounds, as do products that accompany
carpet installation such as adhesives and padding. Carpet can
also act as a "sink" for chemical and biological pollutants
.including pesticides, dust mites, and fungi
Opening doors and windows and increasing the amount of fresh
air indoors will reduce exposure to most chemicals released
from newly installed carpet. During and after installation in a
home, use of window fans and room air conditioners to
. exhaust fumes to the outdoors is recommended

?Can plants control indoor air pollution

Recent reports characterize plants as "nature's clean air machine",
claiming that plants remove indoor air pollutants. While it is true
that plants remove carbon dioxide from the air, the ability of plants
to control indoor air pollution is less well established.In other
words, the ability of plants to actually improve indoor air quality is
.limited in comparison with provision of adequate ventilation

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