Indoor Air Pollution
Essay by Robert Lamont Slade • October 27, 2015 • Case Study • 1,610 Words (7 Pages) • 1,486 Views
Associate Level Material
Indoor Air Pollution
Resources: Chapter 19 of Environmental Science and the EPA web site, “Introduction to Air Quality”. Retrieved from, http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html
Complete the following chart:
Pollutant | Sources | Health effects | Is Your Risk Level Acceptable? | Solutions | Sustainable Replacements, when appropriate |
Radon | Natural decay of uranium found in almost all soils. Radon leaks into homes through walls, floors, and water. | Lung cancer | unknown | Seal cracks and build vent system. | Not applicable |
Mold | Spores are in the air, inside and outside, and when there is a lot in the air they sometimes attach themselves to surfaces. | Asthma attacks and allergic reactions | yes | Dry water damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours, fix leaky plumbing or other water sources, wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and completely dry. | “Mold & Mildew Mold: tests Mold and mildew: cleaners, sealers and air purifiers |
Formaldehyde | “Formaldehyde occurs as a natural product in most living systems (it endogenous concentration in human blood is about 2-3 mg/L.) and in the environment,” “Common non-occupational sources of exposure include vehicle emissions, particle boards and similar building materials, carpets, paints and varnishes, food and cooking, cosmetic products, tobacco smoke and the use of formaldehyde as disinfectant,” FORMALDEHYDE: SOURCES OF EXPOSURE, http://www.crios.be/Formaldehyde/sources_%20of_%20exposure.htm. Finishing of textiles, wooden floors, embalmers, paper workers ect. |
| yes | “Flammable Properties: LIQUID. Can ignite if heated. Releases vapor that can form explosive mixture with air at or above the flash point. Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, appropriate foam, water spray or fog. Special "alcohol resistant fire-fighting foams". Foam manufacturers should be consulted for recommendations regarding types of foams and application rates. Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical: Closed containers may rupture violently when heated releasing contents. In a fire, the following hazardous materials may be generated: flammable hydrogen; toxic chemicals; irritating chemicals. Chemical Stability: Stable if inhibited. Polymerization reactions are not hazardous. Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, sparks, static discharge, heat and other ignition sources. Incompatible Materials: Increased risk of fire and explosion on contact with: oxidizing agents (e.g. peroxides), strong bases (e.g. sodium hydroxide), and strong acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid). Corrosive to: carbon steel. Not corrosive to: stainless steel, aluminum alloys. Hazardous Decomposition Products: Formic acid, methanol.
| “Substitute paper coating resins can be made from polyamide, polyamine, epichlorohydrin and acrylic, as well as polyurethane dispersions. Alternative methods for manufacturing phenolic resins include enzymatic water-based polymerization processes (based on horseradish peroxidase and soy peroxidase) and pyrolysis of biomass. In the manufacture of printed wiring boards, it is necessary to make through-holes conductive. The most common process to accomplish this is the formaldehyde-containing electroless copper process. Formaldehyde acts as a reducing agent in the process. |
Lead | “Soil. Lead particles that settle on the soil from leaded gasoline or paint can last for years. ... Water. Copper plumbing soldered with lead is a source of contamination of household drinking water. Household dust. ... Pottery. ... Toys. ... Traditional cosmetics,” Lead poisoning Causes - Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead.../con-20035487 | “Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that chronic exposure resulting in blood lead levels (BLL) as low as 10 µg/dL in adults are associated with impaired kidney function, high blood pressure, nervous system and neurobehavioral effects, cognitive dysfunction later in life, and subtle cognitive effects attributed to prenatal exposure. Pregnant women need to be especially concerned with reducing BLL since this can have serious impact on the developing fetus. Chronic exposures leading to BLLs above 20 µg/dL can cause subclinical effects on cognitive functions as well as adverse effects on sperm/semen quality and delayed conception. BLLs between 20 to 40 µg/dL are associated with effects such as cognitive aging as well as deficits in visuomotor dexterity, lower reaction times and attention deficit. At BBLs above 40 µg/dL, workers begin to experience symptoms such as headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance, joint pain, myalgia, anorexia, and constipation,” United States Department of Labor, OSHA Lead Health Effects, https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/healtheffects.html | yes | Keep dust to a minimum especially in children’s areas keep your eye on damaged paint areas and repair them quickly if children can access that area. | “Lead Lead in paint, in water and on surfaces: tests |
Asbestos | Asbestos is a small mineral fiber that could be found in rocks and soil out in the environment however it can be found in many products in the home as well as in the home such as, window putty, vermiculite, and floors just to name a few. | Lung cancer, mesothelioma, respiratory failure. | yes | Have the older building material in your home removed by certified professionals. | Use green building alternatives, use polyurethane foams, flour fillers, and cellulose fibers among other things. |
Pesticides | Are chemicals mixed together to kill or exterminate bugs, rodents, unwanted weeds, and mold and many more things. | Nose, throat, eyes and skin irritations, headaches, mental confusion, vomiting, unconsciousness, and even death. | yes | If possible try and use products that do not include pesticides. | Use a Sealeze strip brush, for it enables bugs on the outside to see light or smell food from the house, crop rotation and cover crops. |
Sodium Hypochlorite | “Sodium and calcium hypochlorite are manufactured by the chlorination of sodium hydroxide or lime. Sodium and calcium hypochlorite are used primarily as oxidizing and bleaching agents or disinfectants. They are components of commercial bleaches, cleaning solutions, and disinfectants for drinking water and waste water purification systems and swimming pools (Teitelbaum 2001),” retrieved from, “ATSDR,” Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, “Toxic Substances Portal- Calcium Hypochlorite/ Sodium Hypochlorite, http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MMG/MMG.asp | Hypochlorite powder, solutions, and vapor are irritating and corrosive to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Ingestion and skin contact produces injury to any exposed tissues. Exposure to gases released from hypochlorite may cause burning of the eyes, nose, and throat; cough as well as constriction and edema of the airway and lungs can occur. Hypochlorite produces tissue injury by liquefaction necrosis. Systemic toxicity is rare, but metabolic acidosis may occur after ingestion,” “ATSDR,” Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, “Toxic Substances Portal- Calcium Hypochlorite/ Sodium Hypochlorite, http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MMG/MMG.asp | yes | Don’t use products that contain sodium hypochlorite or get into pools that use them either. | The microclor, “Microclor™ On-Site Hypochlorite Generation (OSHG) is the safe, reliable and sustainable solution for water or wastewater disinfection. As concerns mount regarding the safety and security of using chlorine gas for water disinfection, many utilities are choosing sodium hypochlorite (bleach) as a safer alternative. In weighing the implications of either concentrated, delivered bulk bleach or on-site generated hypochlorite, utilities are considering factors such as safety, truck traffic, price variability, sustainability and overall life-cycle costs,” PSI On-Site Disinfections, http://www.4psi.net/microclor-overview.php |
Phthalates | “Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They are often called plasticizers. Some phthalates are used as solvents (dissolving agents) for other materials. They are used in hundreds of products, such as vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, automotive plastics, plastic clothes (raincoats), and personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, and nail polishes). Phthalates are used widely in polyvinyl chloride plastics, which are used to make products such as plastic packaging film and sheets, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage containers, medical tubing, and some children's toys,” retrieved from, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Biomonitoring Program, http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/phthalates_factsheet.html | “Human health effects from exposure to low levels of phthalates are unknown. Some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals. More research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to phthalates,” retrieved from, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Biomonitoring Program, http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/phthalates_factsheet.html | Yes | Granular activated carbon. | “Reduce phthalate exposure by avoiding soft plastics and those labeled as vinyl or PVC. (PVC plastics are usually stamped with recycling code #3.) Instead choose healthier materials such as natural latex rubber, glass, stainless steel or wood. Or opt for plastics stamped with recycling code #1, #2, or #5,” retrieved from the website Greenopedia, Easy Ways To Limit Exposure To Phthalates, http://greenopedia.com/avoid-phthalates/ |
Synthetic Fragrances (Petrochemicals, Di-ethyl phthalate, Benzyl butyl phthalate, etc.) | Benzene derivatives, aldehydes, along with other toxins and sensitizers. | Birth defects, allergic reactions, cancer and disorders within central nervous system. | yes | Use many of the alternate products that do not use these ingredients. | Not applicable. |
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