7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants
3 min read•january 8, 2023
Joshua Nielsen
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
Indoor air pollutants are substances that are present in the air inside buildings and homes and can be harmful to human health. These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including tobacco smoke, building materials, household products, and outdoor air that enters the building.
Carbon Monoxide - the Silent Killer
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
When incomplete combustion occurs, is one of the gasses released. If you have a fireplace, it is important to open the flue or your house will fill with the smoke and CO. Burning fossil fuels also creates CO, this includes your car.
Your blood cells easily take in O2 in order for you to live. However, CO is absorbed by your cells faster. Your body is not able to use the CO. This causes you to pass out due to asphyxiation. Never leave a vehicle running in a closed garage. The is colorless and odorless and will accumulate in the air.
Radon-222
is the chemical name for the radioactive material that is found in the Earth’s crust. As uranium decays, radon is produced. This radioactive gas can leach through the soil and enter basements, foundations, or crawl spaces under a house. It has also been found dissolved in well water.
Since it is a radioactive material, radon can cause certain cancers. The radon can be inhaled or ingested (drinking contaminated well water) thus releasing the radiation internally. There is also radon in cigarettes.
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
VOCs
Inside many homes are sources of air pollutants that were purchased intentionally. Volatile organic compounds are found in many household items. is often referred to as the nasty smelly odor during high school dissections. It is commonly used in upholstery, furniture, and carpets. That ‘new car/carpet/chair smell’ is a VOC.
Asbestos
This material was commonly used in ceilings and insulation for its fire-retardant properties. Unfortunately, if small fibers were inhaled, it could cause forms of lung cancer. Today, it takes trained professionals to seal or remove from a home or building. It is treated as a hazardous material.
Sick Building Syndrome
In an effort to reduce heating and cooling costs, offices and homes try to seal the space from the outside air. This may be done with door and window stripping and keeping windows closed. This creates a problem as any indoor pollutant has no means of escape and can cause the illness: . One cause of this is the build-up of ozone in an office building from the use of copier machines.
In many cases, can be alleviated by opening a window and allowing a breeze to circulate through the air. There are also a variety of plants that can absorb various chemicals from the air thus cleaning it.
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (7)
Asbestos
: Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are made up of long, thin fibers. These fibers are heat-resistant and have been used in various industries for their insulating properties.Asphyxiant
: An asphyxiant is a substance that can cause suffocation by displacing oxygen in the air, leading to oxygen deprivation.Carbon Monoxide
: Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is highly toxic and can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.Formaldehyde
: Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent odor that is commonly used in the production of building materials and household products. It can be released into the air from these products and can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system.Radon-222
: Radon-222 is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decay of uranium in soil, rocks, and water. It can seep into buildings and accumulate to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of lung cancer.Sick Building Syndrome
: Sick Building Syndrome refers to a condition where occupants experience acute health effects or discomfort while spending time in a particular building. The symptoms are often linked to poor indoor air quality and can include headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, and irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and can be found in various products such as paints, cleaning agents, fuels, and solvents. They contribute to air pollution and can have adverse effects on human health.7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants
3 min read•january 8, 2023
Joshua Nielsen
Joshua Nielsen
Vocabulary
Indoor air pollutants are substances that are present in the air inside buildings and homes and can be harmful to human health. These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including tobacco smoke, building materials, household products, and outdoor air that enters the building.
Carbon Monoxide - the Silent Killer
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
When incomplete combustion occurs, is one of the gasses released. If you have a fireplace, it is important to open the flue or your house will fill with the smoke and CO. Burning fossil fuels also creates CO, this includes your car.
Your blood cells easily take in O2 in order for you to live. However, CO is absorbed by your cells faster. Your body is not able to use the CO. This causes you to pass out due to asphyxiation. Never leave a vehicle running in a closed garage. The is colorless and odorless and will accumulate in the air.
Radon-222
is the chemical name for the radioactive material that is found in the Earth’s crust. As uranium decays, radon is produced. This radioactive gas can leach through the soil and enter basements, foundations, or crawl spaces under a house. It has also been found dissolved in well water.
Since it is a radioactive material, radon can cause certain cancers. The radon can be inhaled or ingested (drinking contaminated well water) thus releasing the radiation internally. There is also radon in cigarettes.
Image Courtesy of Pixabay
VOCs
Inside many homes are sources of air pollutants that were purchased intentionally. Volatile organic compounds are found in many household items. is often referred to as the nasty smelly odor during high school dissections. It is commonly used in upholstery, furniture, and carpets. That ‘new car/carpet/chair smell’ is a VOC.
Asbestos
This material was commonly used in ceilings and insulation for its fire-retardant properties. Unfortunately, if small fibers were inhaled, it could cause forms of lung cancer. Today, it takes trained professionals to seal or remove from a home or building. It is treated as a hazardous material.
Sick Building Syndrome
In an effort to reduce heating and cooling costs, offices and homes try to seal the space from the outside air. This may be done with door and window stripping and keeping windows closed. This creates a problem as any indoor pollutant has no means of escape and can cause the illness: . One cause of this is the build-up of ozone in an office building from the use of copier machines.
In many cases, can be alleviated by opening a window and allowing a breeze to circulate through the air. There are also a variety of plants that can absorb various chemicals from the air thus cleaning it.
🎥 Watch: AP Environmental Science Streams
Key Terms to Review (7)
Asbestos
: Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are made up of long, thin fibers. These fibers are heat-resistant and have been used in various industries for their insulating properties.Asphyxiant
: An asphyxiant is a substance that can cause suffocation by displacing oxygen in the air, leading to oxygen deprivation.Carbon Monoxide
: Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is highly toxic and can interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.Formaldehyde
: Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent odor that is commonly used in the production of building materials and household products. It can be released into the air from these products and can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system.Radon-222
: Radon-222 is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decay of uranium in soil, rocks, and water. It can seep into buildings and accumulate to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of lung cancer.Sick Building Syndrome
: Sick Building Syndrome refers to a condition where occupants experience acute health effects or discomfort while spending time in a particular building. The symptoms are often linked to poor indoor air quality and can include headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, and irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and can be found in various products such as paints, cleaning agents, fuels, and solvents. They contribute to air pollution and can have adverse effects on human health.
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