Air pollution and healthAir pollution and health

Introduction:The human health effects of poor air quality are reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system and the cardiovascular system.  Individual reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant a person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, the individual's health status and genetics.

 People who exercise outdoors, for example, on hot, smoggy days increase their exposure

to pollutants in the air.

DefinitionDefinition::

An atmospheric condition in which certain substances present in high concentration effects humans.

Sources and effects of air Sources and effects of air pollutionpollution : :

There are six air pollutants that are commonly found throughout the United States. The six pollutants are ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and lead.

Pollutant Major Indoor Sources Potential Health Effects*

Environmental Tobacco SmokeCigarettes, cigars, and pipesRespiratory irritation, bronchitis and pneumonia in children, emphysema,

lung cancer, and heart disease

Carbon MonoxideUnvented or malfunctioning

gas appliances, wood stoves, and tobacco smoke

Headache; nausea; angina; impaired vision and mental

functioning; fatal at high concentrations

Nitrogen OxidesUnvented or malfunctioning

gas appliances

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; increased respiratory infections

in children

Organic Chemicals

Aerosol sprays, solvents, glues, cleaning agents paints, moth

repellents, air fresheners, drycleaned clothing, and treated

water

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; loss of coordination;

damage to liver, kidney and brain; various types of cancer

FormaldehydePressed wood products such as

plywood and particleboard; wallpaper; durable press fabrics

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headache; allergic reactions; cancer

Respirable ParticlesCigarettes, wood stoves,

fireplaces, aerosol sprays, and house dust

Eye, nose and throat irritation; increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and

bronchitis; lung cancer

Biological Agents (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Animal Dander,

Mites)

House dust; pets; bedding; poorly maintained air conditioners,

humidifiers and dehumidifiers; wet or moist structures; furnishings

Allergic reactions; asthma; eye, nose, and throat irritation; humidifier fever, influenza, and other infectious

diseases

AsbestosDamaged or deteriorating insulation,

fireproofing, and acoustical materials

Asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers

LeadSanding or open-flame burning

of lead paint; house dust

Nerve and brain damage, particularly in children; anemia;

kidney damage; growth retardation

Note:Note: *Depends on factors such as *Depends on factors such as the amount of pollutant the amount of pollutant inhaled, the duration of inhaled, the duration of exposure and susceptibility exposure and susceptibility of the individual exposedof the individual exposed..

Prevention and control of air Prevention and control of air pollutiopollutionn

Source Control Source control is a method used to eliminate the contributor to the indoor air quality problem. Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. We can provide sealed combustion appliances and heating systems to eliminate the potential of

combustion gasses leaking into our homes.

VentilationVentilation Another approach to lowering the Another approach to lowering the concentrations of indoor air concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. coming indoors. Good ventilation assists in the Good ventilation assists in the removal and/or the dilution of removal and/or the dilution of indoor air pollutantsindoor air pollutants..

Air PurificationAir Purification This method of controlling This method of controlling indoor air pollutants can indoor air pollutants can handle both particulate handle both particulate matter and to some degree, matter and to some degree, gassesgasses . .

Some important steps Some important steps you can take to reduce you can take to reduce your indoor pollutant and your indoor pollutant and allergen exposure in your allergen exposure in your home includehome include::

11..Use a central vacuum system (exhausts Use a central vacuum system (exhausts outside) or portable sealed outside) or portable sealed HEPA Vacuum HEPA Vacuum CleanersCleaners to prevent air particles and to prevent air particles and pollutants such as allergens from being pollutants such as allergens from being dispersed into the air when cleaning. dispersed into the air when cleaning. 2.Encase your bedding with 2.Encase your bedding with Allergen Allergen Control BarriersControl Barriers that prevent dust mite that prevent dust mite proliferation in an area that you spend 1/3 of proliferation in an area that you spend 1/3 of your day. your day. 3.Wash bedding fabrics weekly in hot water 3.Wash bedding fabrics weekly in hot water (minimum 130° F). (minimum 130° F). 4.Use surface treatments for 4.Use surface treatments for Dust Mite Dust Mite ControlControl, , Animal Dander ControlAnimal Dander Control, , Mold Mold ControlControl and and Dust ControlDust Control that will reduce that will reduce your exposure to these allergens throughout your exposure to these allergens throughout

the homethe home . .

55..Don't allow pets in the bedroom. Don't allow pets in the bedroom. 6.Reduce your exposure to 6.Reduce your exposure to chemical gasses and vapors with chemical gasses and vapors with natural ingredient based natural ingredient based Household CleanersHousehold Cleaners and and Personal Care ProductsPersonal Care Products. . 7.Reduce your exposure to 7.Reduce your exposure to airborne particulates with the use airborne particulates with the use of a portableof a portable HEPA Air HEPA Air Purification UnitPurification Unit or a central air or a central air filtering systemfiltering system . .

88..Increase low moisture levels in the Increase low moisture levels in the home and prevent the release of mold home and prevent the release of mold into the air when using humidifiers by into the air when using humidifiers by using using Germ-Free HumidifiersGerm-Free Humidifiers that that kill mold and bacteria before moist air kill mold and bacteria before moist air is released into the room. is released into the room. 9.Remove the build-up of molds and 9.Remove the build-up of molds and bacteria and clean your home without bacteria and clean your home without irritating chemicals with a home irritating chemicals with a home Vapor Steam Cleaning SystemVapor Steam Cleaning System.  .  10.Control excess indoor humidity with 10.Control excess indoor humidity with adequate ventilation and the use of adequate ventilation and the use of dehumidifiers and air conditioners as dehumidifiers and air conditioners as

necessarynecessary . .