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. In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. How the measurement data obtained from indoor radon surveys can be used to develop radon risk maps is also considered. The next section discusses additional potential exposure sources and pathways to hazardous substances in the home and environment that may also contribute to poor indoor air. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Indoor air pollution can be caused by conditions that promote poor indoor air quality such as inadequate ventilation or excessive moisture that can lead to mold growth. This is because contained areas enable potential pollutants to build up more than open spaces. Radon risk from air the increased risk of lung cancer is due to inhalation of radonladen indoor air, including any radon entering the building through the water supply. Above this level, a homeowner should take some remedial action to reduce the radon present in the air. It is a radioactive component that eventuates naturally and emanates from the decomposition of uranium238 and thorium, a ll present in the earths. Integration of radon in indoor air quality programs. While the safety report is focused specifically on national and regional surveys to evaluate average concentrations of radon in dwellings, many of the same considerations also apply to radon surveys for other types of buildings.
Unlike outdoor air pollution, the effect of indoor air pollution is health related and less of an environmental issue. Indoor pollutants can cause serious health problems to sensitive groups. When natural ventilation, such as open windows and opened doors, lets air in and out, it will affect interior air pollution levels, as well as indoor temperature. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Report to congress on indoor air quality, volume ii. Over the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air. Indoor air quality is influenced by concentrations of outdoor air pollutants, indoor sources of pollution, characteristics of the building and the habits of the residents. Everyone knows the radon value of their indoor living area. Water contamination introduction radon rn is obtained in the air as gas phase. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Integration of radon in the battle against lung cancer longterm dream. Aug 14, 2017 indoor radon exposure, which is the secondleading cause of lung cancer, was rated the numberone environmental health risk.
May 27, 20 status of indoor air pollution in india. Indoor radon exposure, which is the secondleading cause of lung cancer, was rated the numberone environmental health risk. Indoor air is air within a building such as your home, classroom, office, shopping center, hospital or gym. Additionally, a novel approach of using plant systems for removing high concentrations of indoor air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, organic solvents, and possibly radon has been designed from this work. Tobacco smoke, cooking and heating appliances, and vapors from building materials, paints, furniture, etc. Radon, bioaerosols, and vocs covers the most current aspects of indoor pollution research, including vitally important topics such as radon, bioaerosols, and volatile organic compounds. Indoor airplus construction specifications and technical. We say indoor air pollution if indoor air is contaminated by smoke, chemicals, smells or particles. In indoor locations, such as homes, schools, or office buildings, levels of radon and daughters are generally higher than outdoor levels 2. Statistics suggest that in developing countries, health impacts of indoor air. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Thus, for some people the health risks may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors. Environmental protection agency, office of air and radiation.
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. While radon, asbestos, pesticides, heavy metals, volatile organic matter, and environmental tobacco smoke are considered major indoor pollutants in developed countries, the combustion products of biomass fuels contribute most to indoor air pollution in. Camplex mixtures of organic chemicals in indoor air also have the potential to invoke subtle effects on the central and peripheral nervous system, leading to changes in behaviour and performance. Indoor air pollution may arise from the use of open fires, unsafe fuels or combustion of biomass fuels, coal and kerosene. Radon, which has a number of isotopes, is a naturally occurring colourless and odourless radioactive noble gas. While radon, asbestos, pesticides, heavy metals, volatile organic matter, and environmental tobacco smoke are considered major indoor pollutants in developed countries, the combustion products of biomass fuels contribute most. In addition to lung cancer, indoor air pollution can cause other respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema 1. In no event shall the world health organization be liable for damages arising from its use. Indoor air pollution is the degradation of indoor air quality by harmful chemicals and other materials. Radon is a major source of indoor air pollution and is the cause of tens of thousands of deaths annually in the united states and europe. Radon is a gas, but these decay products are solids that can attach to dust and enter the lungs. Over 900 different compounds have been detected in indoor air and some pollutants may be 25 times more concentrated inside rather than.
Indoor air quality washington state department of health. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Thus, for some people the health risks may be greater due to. Indoor air quality guidelines for pennsylvania schools preface this document provides useful information on indoor air quality iaq in schools to school officials and others who have an interest in this topic. Assessment and control of indoor air pollution, pp. It offers practical guidance that will help prevent iaq problems in schools, and resolve or alleviate such problems if they do arise. Co poisonings and deaths are health outcome indicators. An increased risk of developing lung cancer has been linked to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke ets and to radon decay products. Over 900 different compounds have been detected in indoor air and some pollutants may be 25 times more concentrated inside rather than outside buildings.
As well, mechanical devices, such as fans, are able to move air around when they are being used. The causes of indoor air pollution comfy home corner. Environmental protection agency sets and enforces air quality standards only for ambient air. Pollutants causing indoor air pollution can also originate from outside sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution. Whos first global conference on air pollution and health, geneva october 30 2018. Florida department of health bureau of environmental health, radon program 4052 bald cypress way, bin a08 tallahassee, fl 323997017. Some indoor pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, can be fatal. Protection agency usepa has set a radon in air action level of 4. Indoor air pollution indoor air is air within a building such as your home, classroom, office, shopping center, hospital or gym. Printed in france who library cataloguinginpublication data who handbook on indoor radon. However, background levels of radon in outdoor air are generally quite low, about 0. Find a radon test kit or measurement and mitigation.
The book presents information on microbial contamination abatement, chemical. Indoor air quality guidelines for pennsylvania schools. While not a health based standard, this level is a guideline for people to use in assessing the seriousness of their exposure. Who handbook on indoor radon world health organization. The content in this section focuses on the above potential sources of indoor air pollution. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. Measurements of volatile organic compounds in breathingzone air, drinking water, and exhaled breath.
Radon decays to form daughters, or decay products, which include radioactive polonium, lead, and bismuth. Gas stoves or badly installed woodburning units with. Effects of indoor air pollution on human health berglund. Radon, which has a number of isotopes, is a naturally occurring colourless and odourless radioactive noble. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Several suggestions were provided to improve indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution is the term used to describe exposure to certain substances found in homes, schools, transport and subway stations. Indoor air quality iaq learn how you can reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke inside your home. It comes mainly from exposure to radon and its airborne decay products in the homes of the general population 1,2. In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air. Radon gas is an important source of ionizing radiation of natural origin and a major contributor to the ionizing radiation dose received by the general population.
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