Helena Joyce
Indoor air pollution is a pressing issue that has gained prominence due to its adverse effects on human health and well-being. People spend a significant amount of time indoors, and the air inside homes, offices, and other buildings can be more polluted than the air outdoors. This is concerning because indoor air pollution contributes to a range of health issues, including respiratory infections, asthma, lung diseases, heart disease, cognitive deficits, and cancer. The sources of indoor air pollution are diverse and include human activities such as smoking, burning solid fuels, cooking with inefficient stoves, and using certain cleaning products. Additionally, biological contaminants like mold, viruses, and allergens, as well as chemicals released by building materials, furniture, paints, and appliances, contribute to indoor air pollution. Poor ventilation exacerbates the problem, leading to a buildup of pollutants and carbon dioxide, which further impacts health. Addressing indoor air pollution requires a combination of improved ventilation, the use of cleaner fuels and technologies, and the adoption of low-emitting building materials and furnishings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indoor air pollution sources | Outdoor air pollutants, allergens, scents and chemicals, human activities within buildings, biological contaminants, allergens, asbestos, tobacco smoke, radon, lead dust, carbon monoxide, mold, volatile organic compounds, fine particles, biological pollutants, fuel-burning appliances, construction techniques, ventilation equipment, cleaning products and procedures, paint, carpets, flooring, furniture, paints, appliances, air fresheners, scented candles, air-tight buildings, energy-efficient homes |
| Health risks | Lung diseases, infections, lung cancer, chronic lung diseases, asthma, cognitive deficits, heart disease, stroke, worsened lung disease, respiratory infections, worsened asthma, abnormal heartbeats, cardiovascular disease, worsened chronic bronchitis, worsened COPD, worsened lung cancer, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, liver damage, kidney damage, central nervous system damage, allergies, worsened illnesses for people with weakened immune systems, worsened asthma for people with pre-existing conditions, worsened breathing for people with asthma, worsened breathing for people with COPD, worsened emphysema, worsened chronic bronchitis |
| Groups at risk | Children, older adults, people with cardiovascular disease, people with respiratory disease, women, people in low-income communities, minority populations, Native Americans, households of low socioeconomic status |
| Solutions | Proper ventilation, low-emitting building materials and furnishings, air purifiers, indoor plants, sealing asbestos-containing materials, reducing exposure to outdoor air pollution, choosing driving routes that are less traveled, especially by diesel vehicles, closing windows when in traffic, setting ventilation systems to recirculate air, adjusting outdoor physical activities when air quality is poor |
What You'll Learn
- Indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health
- Indoor air pollution is linked to lung disease, infections, cancer, asthma, and heart disease
- Pollutants from outdoors enter indoors through open doors and windows, pets, shoes, and clothing
- Poor ventilation in energy-efficient homes can cause a rapid increase in indoor pollutant levels
- Indoor air pollution disproportionately affects women and children in low-income households
Indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health
Indoor air pollution is a serious issue, with the US Environmental Protection Agency ranking it as one of the top five environmental risks to public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.8 million people worldwide die prematurely each year from illnesses attributable to household air pollution. This is a pressing global issue, with indoor air pollution causing or contributing to a range of health issues, from respiratory infections to lung cancer and chronic lung diseases.
There are many sources of indoor air pollution. One significant source is the use of polluting fuels and stoves for cooking, which is still prevalent in many parts of the world. Solid fuels such as wood, crop waste, charcoal, coal, and dung, as well as kerosene, are used by around 2.1 billion people for cooking and heating, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The combustion of these fuels releases black carbon, methane, and other harmful particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
In addition to household fuel combustion, indoor air pollution is also caused by human activities within buildings, such as smoking, cleaning, and burning candles or incense. Construction techniques and materials, such as paint, carpets, and furniture, can also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that contribute to indoor air pollution. Inadequate ventilation exacerbates the problem, allowing pollutants to build up to dangerous levels. This is particularly common in energy-efficient homes that are designed to be airtight, leading to stagnant air and rapidly rising pollutant levels.
The health impacts of indoor air pollution are significant and wide-ranging. It can cause or worsen respiratory infections, asthma, and other lung diseases. Certain populations, such as children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing conditions, are especially vulnerable to the effects of indoor air pollution. Additionally, indoor air pollution has been linked to low birth weight, tuberculosis, cataracts, and various types of cancer.
Addressing indoor air pollution requires a combination of policy changes, improved access to clean fuels and technologies, and increased awareness of indoor pollutants and their sources. The WHO has issued guidelines for indoor air quality and household fuel combustion, providing evidence-based recommendations on the types of fuels and technologies that are considered clean and safe for health.
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Indoor air pollution is linked to lung disease, infections, cancer, asthma, and heart disease
Poor indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental risks to public health, according to the US Environment Protection Agency. It is a serious issue that has gained prominence due to various factors, including lifestyle changes, new construction techniques, ventilation equipment, and cleaning products.
Indoor air pollution is linked to several adverse health effects, including lung disease, infections, cancer, asthma, and heart disease. Long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can cause or contribute to the development of respiratory infections, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs, reaching the breathing sacs and even crossing into the bloodstream. These particles can carry toxic chemicals linked to cancer. Additionally, indoor air pollution can worsen existing lung conditions, such as asthma, and increase the risk of hospital admissions for people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of indoor air pollution than adults due to their developing lungs and faster breathing rate. Exposure to indoor air pollution during pregnancy can also impact the unborn baby, increasing the risk of asthma development in the child. Older individuals are also at higher risk, especially if they have pre-existing lung conditions or heart disease.
Indoor air pollution is caused by various sources, including outdoor air pollutants that enter through open doors and windows, as well as indoor-specific pollutants. Indoor-specific pollutants include allergens like dust, pet dander, and mould, particles released by wood-burning fires, cooking, and candles, and chemicals released by flooring, furniture, paints, and appliances. The use of fuel-burning appliances, such as cooking stoves, furnaces, and water heaters, also contributes to indoor air pollution and can have detrimental health effects.
To address indoor air pollution, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, providing recommendations on clean fuels and technologies, such as solar, electricity, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), to reduce the health and environmental impacts of household fuel combustion.
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Pollutants from outdoors enter indoors through open doors and windows, pets, shoes, and clothing
The air we breathe indoors is a major health concern. Research has shown that indoor air pollution can be more deadly than outdoor air pollution, as people spend 80% or more of their time indoors each day. Outdoor air pollution that gets inside can build up to extremely high concentrations.
Outdoor pollutants enter buildings through open doors and windows, as well as on shoes, clothing, and pets. They can also enter through cracks in the building's foundation. Weather conditions influence whether occupants keep windows open or closed and whether they operate air conditioners, humidifiers, or heaters, all of which can affect indoor air quality.
Infiltration is the process by which outdoor air flows into a house through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. Natural ventilation occurs when air moves through open windows and doors due to temperature differences and wind. Mechanical ventilation devices, such as fans or air handling systems, can also bring in outdoor air.
In addition to the means by which outdoor pollutants enter indoor spaces, the types of outdoor pollutants that enter are important to consider. Outdoor ground-level ozone and other gases can enter buildings and react with chemicals in building materials to create harmful byproducts. A study found that indoor ozone from outdoor sources can trigger asthma symptoms and lead to respiratory problems.
Furthermore, the use of polluting fuels and stoves for cooking contributes to household air pollution. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, recommending clean fuels such as solar, electricity, and natural gas.
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Poor ventilation in energy-efficient homes can cause a rapid increase in indoor pollutant levels
Poor indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental risks to public health, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Indeed, 3.8 million people worldwide die prematurely each year from illnesses attributable to household air pollution.
One of the main causes of poor indoor air quality is poor ventilation. Efforts to make homes more energy efficient have often resulted in reduced ventilation rates, leading to a dangerous build-up of indoor pollutants. For example, installing storm windows, weather stripping, caulking, and blown-in wall insulation can reduce the amount of outdoor air infiltrating a home, causing indoor pollutant levels to rise.
In addition, mechanical ventilation systems in large buildings are designed to heat and cool the air, as well as draw in and circulate outdoor air. However, if they are poorly designed or maintained, ventilation systems can contribute to indoor air problems. For instance, ventilation systems may not bring in enough outdoor air if building managers prioritise energy efficiency.
Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by failing to dilute emissions from indoor sources and carry indoor air pollutants out of the area. High temperatures and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.
To improve indoor air quality, it is important to increase the outdoor ventilation rate by opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, or running an air conditioner with the vent control open. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors can also directly remove contaminants from the room and increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.
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Indoor air pollution disproportionately affects women and children in low-income households
Indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health, according to the US Environment Protection Agency. Annually, 3.8 million people worldwide die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution.
The health risks of indoor air pollution are strongly correlated with poverty. People in low-income households rely on fuels that they can freely gather, such as wood and dung, and traditional inefficient cooking stoves. Women and children in these households are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution as they typically labour over household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood. They spend the most time exposed to harmful smoke from polluting stoves and fuels, leading to higher rates of exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants.
The ingestion of kerosene by accident is the leading cause of childhood poisoning. In addition, a large fraction of the severe burns and injuries occurring in low- and middle-income countries are linked to household energy use for cooking, heating, and lighting. Almost half of all deaths due to lower respiratory infection among children under five years of age are caused by inhaling particulate matter (soot) from household air pollution. Exposure to household air pollution almost doubles the risk for childhood lower respiratory infection and is responsible for 44% of all pneumonia deaths in children under five.
Women and children in low-income households also face increased risks from indoor air pollution due to the time and effort required to gather fuel. This limits their opportunities for education and income-generating activities. Furthermore, in less secure environments, they are at risk of injury and violence while gathering fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
Indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health, according to the US Environment Protection Agency. It is a big problem in developing countries, where people often burn fuels indoors for cooking and heating. It is also a concern for people living in energy-efficient homes, which tend to be relatively airtight, allowing pollutant levels to rise rapidly.
Indoor air pollution is caused by the release of harmful pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, smoke, lead dust, and various other toxins. These can come from human activities within buildings, such as smoking, burning solid fuels, cooking, and cleaning. They can also come from biological contaminants, such as mould, viruses, or allergens, as well as from building and construction materials, equipment, and furniture.
Both short-term and long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can cause a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart disease, cognitive deficits, and cancer. It can also cause or worsen lung diseases and trigger asthma attacks. According to the World Health Organization, 3.8 million people worldwide die every year from illnesses attributable to harmful indoor air.
Indoor air pollution can be reduced by ensuring proper ventilation, which helps remove polluted indoor air and replace it with fresh, clean air from outside. Choosing low-emitting building materials and furnishings, such as bamboo, wool carpets, and latex paint, can also help reduce indoor air pollution. Additionally, indoor plants, such as English ivy, pothos, bamboo palm, and peace lily, have been shown to be effective at removing pollutants from the air.
