Environmental protection agency office of radiation and indoor air august 24, 2010. In this special report, the possible causes of indoor air pollution and its impact on the health, comfort and productivity of the building occupant are discussed. Indoor air pollution environmental health student portal. Exposure to indoor air pollution is dependent on the type of fuel used, type of equipment used. A tool kit pdf icon pdf 726 kb heart health and air pollution. Indoor air pollution is when pollutants contaminate air indoors and is a very dangerous problem, claiming more than 2 million lives each year. Ambient air pollution who world health organization. Hazards of indoor air pollution to childrens health different toxicants in indoor air, according to sources, settings and activities characteristics and issues relating to indoor air pollution in. Indoor air pollution indoor air is air within a building such as your home, classroom, office, shopping center, hospital or gym. Studies released in the past few years clearly demonstrates that poor indoor air quality not only increases asthma symptoms but can. From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. Indoor air quality in the workplace information regarding iaq in the workplace. While it is commonly thought that levels of outdoor air pollution are worse than that of indoor air pollution iap, in areas of the world, this is usually not the case.
With enough controlled fresh and filtered outdoor air coming in to replace equal parts balanced design of stale indoor air, iaq will be enhanced. Develop proposals for research projects for selected sites to document the impact of the improvement of indoor air pollution on health, particularly child health. We say indoor air pollution if indoor air is contaminated by smoke, chemicals, smells or particles. In addition to lung cancer, indoor air pollution can cause other respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema 1. Indoor air pollution sources particularly skunk and their impacts on health and the environment in the occupied palestinian territories, in. Indoor air pollution can be reduced by making sure that a building is wellventilated and cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of agents like dust and mold. We say indoor air pollution if indoor air is contaminated by smoke, chemicals, smells or particles unlike outdoor air pollution, the effect of indoor air pollution is health related and less of an environmental issue. The combined effects of ambient outdoor and household air pollution cause about 7. This booklet offers an overview of those challenges, focusing on acute conditions, with patterns that point to particular agents and suggestions for appropriate remedial action. Pdf indoor air pollution sources particularly skunk. Unlike outdoor air pollution, the effect of indoor air pollution is health related and less of an environmental issue. Indoor air pollution iap caused by solid fuel use andor traditional cooking stoves is a global health threat, particularly for women and young children. Indoor air pollution impacts our health in ways we are just beginning to understand.
Concerns about potential public health problems due to indoor air pollution are based on evidence that urban residents typically spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. Indoor air pollution can pose a serious health threat. Indoor air pollution has been suggested as one of several factors that influence the incidence of or mortality from respiratory infections because in many developing countries open, unvented fireplaces are commonly used for both cooking and heating. Indoor air pollution is ubiquitous, and takes many forms, ranging from smoke emitted from solid fuel combustion, especially in households in developing countries, to complex mixtures of volatile. Kitchen ventilation solutions to indoor air pollution hazards from cooking arb research seminar by dr. The who world health report 2002 estimates that iap is responsible for 2. India household energy, indoor air pollution and health. We conclude with a discussion on what is known regarding the effectiveness of popular strategies to combat indoor air pollution in developing countries. Indoor air pollution poses many challenges to the health professional. This page contains materials in the portable document format pdf. The table features summary data from the world health organization who on the extent of proven links between indoor air pollution and potential health outcomes. Indoor pollution it is a common belief that when indoors one is safe from harmful pollutants. Jun 05, 2015 identify possible sources of indoor air pollution. The atmosphere is the earths largest single shared resource, which.
Furthermore, the reliance on solid fuels and inefficient stoves has other, farreaching consequences for. Indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air most of our exposure to environmental pollutants occurs by breathing the air indoors. Epa studies indicate that the levels of many air pollutants may be two to five times higher in indoor air than outdoor air. The effects of air pollution on human health a major study links pollution in cities with deaths of elderly and sick people on a daily basis. A tool kit pdf icon pdf 3 mb you can also share this podcast with tips for avoiding the harmful health effects of poor air quality. Pollutant major indoor sources potential health effects asbestos. World health organization regional offi ce for europe this book presents who guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. Further, little is known about indoor air health risks in the middle east, especially in countries undergoing rapid economic development. Indoor air is air within a building such as your home, classroom, office, shopping center, hospital or gym. Indoor air pollution, health and economic wellbeing.
The solution to pollution is dilution achieved via balanced ventilation, which is the most effective way to achieve cleaner and healthier indoor air. Indoor air pollution from cooking california air resources. Agency for toxic substances and disease registry atsdr general information on air pollution and human health discusses the types of air pollution, the air quality index, and the effects of pollution on humans. Sources and potential health effects of indoor air pollutants. Indoor air pollution has a wide range of negative health impacts, which can lead to morbidity but also in many cases, mortality. These effects have been found in shortterm studies, which relate daytoday variations in air pollution and health, and. Pdf impact of indoor air pollution on health, comfort. Statistics suggest that in developing countries, health impacts of indoor air. On average we consume 12000 liters of air daily, far greater than food and water combined. Frequently asked questions and additional resources. Indoor sources are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Some indoor pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, can be fatal. Air pollution is invisible and therefore precautionary measures cant always be taken. However, if you have asthma triggered by outdoor air pollution or pollen, opening windows might not be a good idea.
In the same way that air conditioning removes water vapor, it will remove sulfate particles. Energy sector management assistance programme esmap purpose the energy sector management assistance program esmap is a global technical assistance partnership administered by the world bank and sponsored by bilateral official. In this case, use exhaust fans and nonozoneproducing air cleaners. Pdf indoor air pollution sources particularly skunk and. In this infographic you can know how it affects human beings. Safety and health topics indoor air quality occupational. Air pollution, climate and health who world health. In some cases, indoor air pollutants may even be 100 times higher than outdoors. Prepared for by united states environmental protection. The general perception is that levels of pollution inside buildings are lower than outside as the walls protect us from external impacts. The resulting indoor air pollution iap is a major threat to health, particularly for women and young children, who may spend many hours close to the fire.
Kitchen ventilation solutions to indoor air pollution hazards from cooking. Indoor air pollution learning objectives to understand, recognize and know. Householdindoor air pollution new who indoor air quality guidelines. Pdf impact of indoor air pollution on health, comfort and.
Sources and health impacts pollutants from natural sources pollutant major sources in the home possible health impacts radon colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that comes from the radioactive decay of uranium or radium. Poor indoor air quality iaq has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Consequently, concerns about air pollution are reflected in the sustainable development goals sdgs. The causes and symptoms of sick building syndrome, allergy and environmentalillnesses. In 20, the world health organization concluded that outdoor air pollution is carcinogen to humans. Indoor air quality has become a major concern in the 21st century and levels of iap are exacerbated by inequality and poverty. There are numerous sources of indoor air pollution, including combustion of domestic fuels such as coal, wood. In colder regions, building and heating methods make use of airtight spaces, less ventilation and energy efficient heating. An investigative approach on the effect of air pollution. How can i reduce my risk for air pollution exposure.
Indoor air pollution is a major global public health threat requiring greatly increased efforts in the areas of research and policymaking. The next section summarizes the agents of concern to human health in the indoor environment and the potential impact from adaptive building measures to global warming. Household energy, indoor air pollution and health report 26102 november 2002. The free adobe reader may be required to view these files. The health effects of air pollution have been subject to intense study in recent years. Indoor air pollution our world in data unlike outdoor air pollution, the effect of indoor air pollution is health related and less of an environmental issue. Volcanic eruptions and threats to respiratory health. One of the reasons why air pollution is such a threat to human. Exposure to pollutants such as airborne participate matter and ozone has been associated with increases in mortality and hospital admissions due to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Household fuel combustion set emissions thresholds, by which the cleanest cookstove and lighting technologies may be identified.
Research on its health effects should be strengthened, particularly in relation to tuberculosis and acute lower respiratory infections. Air quality air quality resources for professionals cdc. The following links provide information about the types of pollutants that can be emitted during cooking and their potential health impacts. This is because contained areas enable potential pollutants to build up more than open spaces. Indoor air pollution is one of the most overlooked threats to human health, affecting young children who spend an estimated 80% of their time indoors. These toolkits can help you communicate with consumers about public health issues related to air pollution. Outdoor air pollution from factories, vehicles, wildfires, and other sources how to improve indoor air quality open windows to let in fresh air. Feb 22, 2012 further, little is known about indoor air health risks in the middle east, especially in countries undergoing rapid economic development.
These pollutants come from activities, products and materials we use. Be careful to reduce other sources of indoor air pollution such as tobacco smoke, dust, animal dander, and mold. Indoor radon exposure, which is the secondleading cause of lung cancer, was rated the numberone environmental health risk. Chapter 10 air quality department of environmental affairs. Household air pollution hap, also known as indoor air pollution iap, is a serious area of concern in rural spaces, as majority of this population. Indoor air pollution is the degradation of indoor air quality by harmful chemicals and other materials. The quality of indoor air inside offices, schools, and other workplaces is important not only for workers comfort but also for their health. Taking an exposure history procedures and form for measuring toxicants in the home and environment. Indoor air pollution and health forum nepal was established with the objective of undertaking studies and researches on policy issues related to indoor air pollution and health and generating ideas that address these issues. To provide multifactorial indoor air exposure and health data, we conducted a populationbased study of indoor air pollution and health in the united arab emirates uae. Hazards of indoor air pollution to childrens health different toxicants in indoor air, according to sources, settings and activities characteristics and issues relating to indoor air pollution in industrialized and developing countries. It is related to the choice of construction materials and associated with voc emissions.
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