ENVS Week 6 Pollution

• Indoor Air Pollution

  Indoor air contains higher pollutant concentrations than outdoor air
• Causes of indoor air pollution in developed countries

  • Most time spent indoors
  • Exposed to synthetic materials (paints, fumes from electronics, etc.)
  • Building ventilation systems/windows sealed for energy efficiency
• Effects of indoor air pollution in developed countries

  • Causes asthma, respiratory conditions, heart disease, cancer and death
• Causes of indoor air pollution in developing countries

  • Burning of wood, charcoal, dung, crop wastes with little ventilation
  • Soot and carbon monoxide
• Effects of indoor air pollution in developing countries

  • Causes pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies, asthma and death
• Most dangerous indoor pollutants in the developed world

  • Second-hand smoke from cigarettes
  • Radon gas
• Radon gas


  Radioactive gas, which can seep into buildings, results from natural decay of rock, from soils or water draining natural radioactive sources
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs or VOXs)


  Most diverse group of air pollutants, found indoors (greater problem), released by everything from plastics and oils to perfumes and paints, most VOCs are released in very small amounts, unclear health implications due to low concentrations, include pesticides, which are found indoors more often than outdoors due to seepage, formaldehyde, which leaks from pressed wood and insulation, irritates mucous membranes and induces skin allergies
• Sick Building Syndrome


  A sickness produced by indoor pollution with general and nonspecific symptoms, solved by using low-toxicity building materials and good ventilation
• Living organisms that pollute indoor environments

  • Dust mites
  • Animal dander
  • Fungi
  • Mold
  • Mildew
• Effects of living organisms that pollute indoor environments

  • Worsen asthma, cause severe allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ailments
• Solutions to indoor air pollution in developed countries

  • Use low-toxicity materials
  • Monitor air quality
  • Keep rooms clean
  • Limit exposure to chemicals
• Solutions to indoor air pollution in developing countries

  • Dry wood before burning
  • Cook outside
  • Use less-polluting fuels (natural gas)
• Indoor air pollution is a potentially serious health threat
• Risks can be minimized by modifying indoor environment with increased ventilation and use of air cleansing or filtering techniques