Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon
after exposure or, possibly, years later.
Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated
exposures. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and
throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects
are usually short term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is
simply eliminating the person s exposure to the source of the
pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases,
including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier
fever, may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air
pollutants.
The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants
depends on several factors. Age and preexisting medical
conditions are two important influences. In other cases, whether
a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity,
which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can
become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeated
exposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized
to chemical pollutants as well.
Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or
other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if
the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution.
For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and
place the symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a
person is away from the home and return when the person returns,
an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may
be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse by an
inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or
humidity conditions prevalent in the home.
Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has
occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure.
These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart
disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is
prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home
even if symptoms are not noticeable. More information on
potential health effects from particular indoor air pollutants is
provided in the section, A Look at Source Specific Controls.
While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for
many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about
what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to
produce specific health problems. People also react very
differently to exposure to indoor air pollutants. Further
research is needed to better understand which health effects
occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations
found in homes and which occur from the higher concentrations
that occur for short periods of time.
The health effects associated with some indoor air pollutants are
summarized in the chart in the middle of this booklet titled
Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollutants in the H
Kamis, 24 Januari 2008
WHAT IF YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT?
Apartments can have the same indoor air problems as single family
homes because many of the pollution sources, such as the interior
building materials, furnishings, and household products, are
similar. Indoor air problems similar to those in offices are
caused by such sources as contaminated ventilation systems,
improperly placed outdoor air intakes, or maintenance activities.
Solutions to air quality problems in apartments, as in homes and
offices, involve such actions as: eliminating or controlling the
sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, and installing air
cleaning devices. Often a resident can take the appropriate
action to improve the indoor air quality by removing a source,
altering an activity, unblocking an air supply vent, or opening a
window to temporarily increase the ventilation; in other cases,
however, only the building owner or manager is in a position to
remedy the problem. (See the section What to Do If You Suspect
a Problem on page 30.) You can encourage building management to
follow guidance in EPA and NIOSH s Building Air Quality: A Guide
for Building Owners and Facility Managers. It is available for
$24 from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954,
Pittsburgh, PA 152507954; stock # 055000003904.
homes because many of the pollution sources, such as the interior
building materials, furnishings, and household products, are
similar. Indoor air problems similar to those in offices are
caused by such sources as contaminated ventilation systems,
improperly placed outdoor air intakes, or maintenance activities.
Solutions to air quality problems in apartments, as in homes and
offices, involve such actions as: eliminating or controlling the
sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, and installing air
cleaning devices. Often a resident can take the appropriate
action to improve the indoor air quality by removing a source,
altering an activity, unblocking an air supply vent, or opening a
window to temporarily increase the ventilation; in other cases,
however, only the building owner or manager is in a position to
remedy the problem. (See the section What to Do If You Suspect
a Problem on page 30.) You can encourage building management to
follow guidance in EPA and NIOSH s Building Air Quality: A Guide
for Building Owners and Facility Managers. It is available for
$24 from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954,
Pittsburgh, PA 152507954; stock # 055000003904.
WHAT IF YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT?
Apartments can have the same indoor air problems as single family
homes because many of the pollution sources, such as the interior
building materials, furnishings, and household products, are
similar. Indoor air problems similar to those in offices are
caused by such sources as contaminated ventilation systems,
improperly placed outdoor air intakes, or maintenance activities.
Solutions to air quality problems in apartments, as in homes and
offices, involve such actions as: eliminating or controlling the
sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, and installing air
cleaning devices. Often a resident can take the appropriate
action to improve the indoor air quality by removing a source,
altering an activity, unblocking an air supply vent, or opening a
window to temporarily increase the ventilation; in other cases,
however, only the building owner or manager is in a position to
remedy the problem. (See the section What to Do If You Suspect
a Problem on page 30.) You can encourage building management to
follow guidance in EPA and NIOSH s Building Air Quality: A Guide
for Building Owners and Facility Managers. It is available for
$24 from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954,
Pittsburgh, PA 152507954; stock # 055000003904.
homes because many of the pollution sources, such as the interior
building materials, furnishings, and household products, are
similar. Indoor air problems similar to those in offices are
caused by such sources as contaminated ventilation systems,
improperly placed outdoor air intakes, or maintenance activities.
Solutions to air quality problems in apartments, as in homes and
offices, involve such actions as: eliminating or controlling the
sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, and installing air
cleaning devices. Often a resident can take the appropriate
action to improve the indoor air quality by removing a source,
altering an activity, unblocking an air supply vent, or opening a
window to temporarily increase the ventilation; in other cases,
however, only the building owner or manager is in a position to
remedy the problem. (See the section What to Do If You Suspect
a Problem on page 30.) You can encourage building management to
follow guidance in EPA and NIOSH s Building Air Quality: A Guide
for Building Owners and Facility Managers. It is available for
$24 from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954,
Pittsburgh, PA 152507954; stock # 055000003904.
HOW DOES OUTDOOR AIR ENTER A HOUSE?
Outdoor air enters and leaves a house by: infiltration,
natural ventilation, and mechanical ventilation. In a process
known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into the house through
openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and
around windows and doors. In natural ventilation, air moves
through opened windows and doors. Air movement associated with
infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature
differences between indoors and outdoors and by wind. Finally,
there are a number of mechanical ventilation devices, from
outdoor vented fans that intermittently remove air from a single
room, such as bathrooms and kitchen, to air handling systems that
use fans and duct work to continuously remove indoor air and
distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic
points throughout the house. The rate at which outdoor air
replaces indoor air is described as the air exchange rate. When
there is little infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical
ventilation, the air exchange rate is low and pollutant levels
can increase.
natural ventilation, and mechanical ventilation. In a process
known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into the house through
openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and
around windows and doors. In natural ventilation, air moves
through opened windows and doors. Air movement associated with
infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature
differences between indoors and outdoors and by wind. Finally,
there are a number of mechanical ventilation devices, from
outdoor vented fans that intermittently remove air from a single
room, such as bathrooms and kitchen, to air handling systems that
use fans and duct work to continuously remove indoor air and
distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic
points throughout the house. The rate at which outdoor air
replaces indoor air is described as the air exchange rate. When
there is little infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical
ventilation, the air exchange rate is low and pollutant levels
can increase.
WHAT CAUSES INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS?
Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles
into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems
in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant
levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions
from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out
of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also
increase concentrations of some pollutants.
Pollutant Sources
There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home.
These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene,
coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and
furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos containing
insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made
of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning
and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and
cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources
such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.
The relative importance of any single source depends on how
much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those
emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source
is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For
example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly
more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.
Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and
household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more
or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities
carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These
include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves,
furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and
hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating
activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in
housekeeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air
for long periods after some of these activities.
Amount of Ventilation
If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can
accumulate o levels that can pose health and comfort problems.
Unless they are built with special mechanical means of
ventilation, homes that are designed and constructed to minimize
the amount of outdoor air that can leak into and out of the home
may have higher pollutant levels than other homes. However,
because some weather conditions can drastically reduce the amount
of outdoor air that enters a home, pollutants can build up even
in homes that are normally considered leaky.
into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems
in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant
levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions
from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out
of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also
increase concentrations of some pollutants.
Pollutant Sources
There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home.
These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene,
coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and
furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos containing
insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made
of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning
and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and
cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources
such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.
The relative importance of any single source depends on how
much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those
emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source
is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For
example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly
more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.
Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and
household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more
or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities
carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These
include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves,
furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and
hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating
activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in
housekeeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air
for long periods after some of these activities.
Amount of Ventilation
If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can
accumulate o levels that can pose health and comfort problems.
Unless they are built with special mechanical means of
ventilation, homes that are designed and constructed to minimize
the amount of outdoor air that can leak into and out of the home
may have higher pollutant levels than other homes. However,
because some weather conditions can drastically reduce the amount
of outdoor air that enters a home, pollutants can build up even
in homes that are normally considered leaky.
WHY A BOOKLET ON INDOOR AIR?
While pollutant levels from individual sources may not pose
a significant health risk by themselves, most homes have more
than one source that contributes to indoor ar pollution. There
can be a serious risk from the cumulative effects of these
sources. Fortunately, there are steps that most people can take
both to reduce the risk from existing sources and to prevent new
problems from occurring. This booklet was prepared by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to help you decide whether to
take actions that can reduce the level of indoor air pollution in
your own home.
Because so many Americans spend a lot of time in offices
with mechanical heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, there
is also a short section on the causes of poor air quality in
offices and what you can do if you suspect that your office may
have a problem. A glossary and a list of organizations where you
can get additional information are listed at the back of this
booklet.
a significant health risk by themselves, most homes have more
than one source that contributes to indoor ar pollution. There
can be a serious risk from the cumulative effects of these
sources. Fortunately, there are steps that most people can take
both to reduce the risk from existing sources and to prevent new
problems from occurring. This booklet was prepared by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to help you decide whether to
take actions that can reduce the level of indoor air pollution in
your own home.
Because so many Americans spend a lot of time in offices
with mechanical heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, there
is also a short section on the causes of poor air quality in
offices and what you can do if you suspect that your office may
have a problem. A glossary and a list of organizations where you
can get additional information are listed at the back of this
booklet.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONCERNS
All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go
about our day to day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes,
engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to
environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some
risks are simply unavoidable. Some we choose to accept because to
do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives the way
we want. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had
the opportunity to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution
is one risk that you can do something about.
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. Other research
indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their
time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be
greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.
In addition, people who may be exposed to indoor air
pollutants for the longest periods of time are often those most
susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Such groups
include the young, the elderly, and the chronically ill,
especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular
disease.
about our day to day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes,
engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to
environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some
risks are simply unavoidable. Some we choose to accept because to
do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives the way
we want. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had
the opportunity to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution
is one risk that you can do something about.
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. Other research
indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their
time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be
greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.
In addition, people who may be exposed to indoor air
pollutants for the longest periods of time are often those most
susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Such groups
include the young, the elderly, and the chronically ill,
especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular
disease.
THE INSIDE STORY
Air Pollution Sources in the Home
Introduction
Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
What If You Live in an Apartment?
Improving the Air Quality in Your Home
A Look at Source-Specific Controls
Radon
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Biological Contaminants
Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys
Household Products
Formaldehyde
Pesticides
Asbestos
Lead
Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollutants in the Home
When Building a New Home
Do You Suspect Your Office Has an Indoor Air Problem?
Where to Go for Additional Information
Glossary
Introduction
Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
What If You Live in an Apartment?
Improving the Air Quality in Your Home
A Look at Source-Specific Controls
Radon
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Biological Contaminants
Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys
Household Products
Formaldehyde
Pesticides
Asbestos
Lead
Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollutants in the Home
When Building a New Home
Do You Suspect Your Office Has an Indoor Air Problem?
Where to Go for Additional Information
Glossary
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