INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTSCASEY GUILLAUME

MPH 500 Foundations of Public Health

Professor Madeline Angela Meyer

Overview

What are indoor air pollutants? Air quality importance Health risks Behavioral factors Social factors Questions References

What are indoor air pollutants? The California Air Resources Board (2006) classifies

indoor air pollution as "toxic gases or particles that can harm your health"

The most common indoor air pollutants are: Radon Combustion products Biological (molds, pet dander, pollen) Volatile organic compounds Environmental tobacco smoke Lead dust Asbestos

What are indoor air pollutants? Radon

a naturally occurring radioactive gas gas is released from the soil and seeps into

homes through cracks in the foundation Combustion products

"gases or particles that come from smoking and burning of fuels“

carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter

Sources include gas, wood and coal stoves, gas and propane engines, fireplaces, and candles

What are indoor air pollutants? Biological (molds, pet dander, pollen)

“small proteins from a variety of sources that can trigger an immune response" (Emory University, 2013)

biological contaminants are, or are produced by, living things

can be found in areas that contain moisture Volatile organic compounds

gases vaporizing from solids or liquids while at room temperature

widely used ingredients in many household products. examples include paints, aerosol sprays, disinfectants,

cleansers, wax, paint removers, varnishes, glues, and fuels

What are indoor air pollutants? Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)

known as secondhand smoke, involuntary or passive smoke "considered a leading component of indoor air pollution" (Emory

University, 2013) 1

combination of cigarette, pipe or cigar smoke and exhaled smoke Lead dust

naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust

can be found in and around our homes, including paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, gasoline, batteries, and cosmetics.

Asbestos mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil (EPA, 2013) 2

used in building materials (roofing shingles, tiles, paper products, and cement products), friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics, packaging and coatings

Air quality importance

According to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2008), persons in industrialized countries spend nearly 22 hours indoors every day1

Indoor air quality refers to the quality of the air in a home, school, office, or other building environment

The American Lung Association noted that "poor indoor air quality is the fourth largest environmental threat to our country" (2013)2

Health risks

The pollutant levels and length of exposure effects the severity of the health risk

There are populations that are effected more than others: young children elderly Individuals with compromised respiratory or cardiovascular

systems These populations tend to spend more time inside Stress can also lead to low functioning immune systems,

making people with high stress susceptible to the effects of poor air quality

Other populations that can be affected are those with allergies or are sensitive to chemicals

Health risks

Air pollution indoors may cause approximately 2.7% loss of disability adjusted life years around the world (Duflo, Greenstone, Hanna, 2008) Refers to lower quality of life due to illness,

disease, or early death

Health risks

Children spend much of their time inside during daycare, school, and home

"Up to 20% of fatalities among children under five" are caused by acute respiratory infections from pollutants inside the home, especially among developing countries (Duflo et al., 2008)

Health risks

Worldwide, allergen rates among children are approaching 40-50 percent (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 2013)

Prevalence of allergies has continued to increase.

Health risks

Immediate effects: Irritation of eyes, nose, and throat Nausea Light-headedness, dizziness Headache Fatigue Allergic reaction

Dependent upon individual sensitivity Often short-term and cease after reduced

exposure

Health risks

Long-term effects: Cancer Heart disease Respiratory illness (asthma, bronchitis,

emphysema) Fatalities can occur due to exposure to

higher than normal levels or from disease

Health risks

Other health outcomes associated with poor indoor air quality include: Low birth weight Increased chance of prenatal death in the

early stages of pregnancy, Ear infections Blindness

There is a need more scientific evidence to back up these claims

Behavioral factors

"The health belief model specifies several factors that determine whether a person is likely to change behavior" (Schneider, 2014, pg 227) 1

Following example uses mold

1. Extent to which the individual feel vulnerable to the threat Public needs education on where mold is found and what

it looks and smells like to understand they are vulnerable

The Institute of Medicine reviewed several studies that "indicated that at least 20% of buildings had one or more signs of dampness" (WHO, 2009) 2

Behavioral factors

2. Perceived severity of the threat Low-income areas are more susceptible

3. Perceived barriers to taking action to reduce the risk Opening windows and using fans to ventilate rooms Cleaning and fixing leaks or spills quickly reduces and

prevent mold growth 4. Perceived effectiveness of taking an action

to prevent or minimize the problem Acting quickly to reduce or prevent moisture build up is

effective Investing in a humidity meter can keep homes in

recommended humidity levels (~50% or less)

Social factors

The ecological model of health behavior "looks at how the social environment ... supports and maintains unhealthy behaviors" (Schneider, 2014, pg 228) 1

Intrapersonal factors Do not smoke Install carbon monoxide sensors and "test your home

for radon, an invisible gas that causes lung cancer" (American Lung Association, 2013) 2

Put away food and cover trash Fix leaks and clean up spills quickly

Social factors

Interpersonal factors Ask those visiting your home to refrain from smoking

Institutional factors Areas that have a high population need to be

ventilated properly Community factors

Community help is especially helpful after floods or natural disasters. As more time passes during clean up, the greater risk of serious mold damage, gas leaks, etc

Public policy Regulations on building and housing codes should be

strictly enforced and updated regularly

Questions?

Any questions?

Thanks for viewing!

References

Alexis, N., Bacchus, H., Bernstein, J., Bernstein, L., Fritz, P., Horner, E., Li, N., Mason, S., Nel, A., Oullette, J., Reijula, K., Reponen, T., Seltzer, J., Smith, A., Tarlo, M. (March 2008). The health effects of nonindustrial indoor air pollution. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 121(3): 585-591. Retrieved from http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2807%2902209-9/fulltext

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. (2013). Allergy statistics. Retrieved from http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics.aspx

American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic. (2013). Indoor air quality. American Lung Association. Retrieved from http://www.lung.org/associations/charters/mid-atlantic/air-quality/indoor-air-quality.html

American Lung Association. (2013) Keep pollution out of your home. Retrieved from http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/keep-pollution-out-of-your-home.html

California Air Resources Board. (2006). Reducing indoor air pollution. California Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/rediap.htm

Duflo, E., Greenstone, M., Hanna, R. (15 February 2008). Indoor air pollution, health and economic well-being. Surveys and Perspectives Integrating Environment and Society,1(1). Retrieved from http://sapiens.revues.org/130

Emory University School of Medicine. (2013). Indoor air pollutants. Retrieved from http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/centers/pehsu/Substance%20of%20Concern/inpollutant.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Indoor air. Retrieved from http://cfpub.epa.gov/eroe/index.cfm?fuseaction=list.listBySubTopic&ch=46&s=343

Health Indoor Air for America's Homes. (n.d.) Combustion pollutants. Federal Citizen Information Center. Retrieved from http://publications.usa.gov/USAPubs.php?NavCode=M&PHPSESSID=2unmldre88qehk be4fqk0dkl95

Schneider, M.-J. (2013). Introduction to public health. 4th edition. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

World Health Association. (2013). Health effects. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/indoorair/health_impacts/disease/en/index.html

World Health Organization. (2009). WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: dampness and mould. Retrieved from http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43325/E92645.pdf