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Indoor Air Quality: Common Problems and Health Effects

Jeff MearsArea Manager

Environmental Health & Safety Area

Oneida Nation

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Quality of Life

People spend most time indoors

• Half of waking hours at work or school

• Pollutant levels higher indoors

• Most-sensitive people spend more time inside

• Health impacts and medical expenses are great

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The Dirty Dozen

1. Carbon Monoxide

2. Lead3. Mold4. Radon5. Particles6. Tobacco Smoke

7. Asbestos8. Chemicals &

Pesticides9. Pests10.Ozone11.Volatile Organic

Compounds12.Building/Remodeling

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Environmental Asthma Triggers

• Animals• Mites, insects, rodents• Mold• Tobacco smoke/wood smoke• Combustion by-products • Pollen, dusts, odors, VOCs• Ozone, chemicals

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Carbon Monoxide

Odorless and Colorless

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Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• At low to moderate levels Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,

sleepiness, confusion

• At high levels Loss of consciousness or death

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Potential Causes of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Problems

• Cooking • Un-vented appliances• Improperly installed combustion equipment• Broken combustion equipment• Pressure problems• Internal combustion equipment

Generators, cars, etc.

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Furnace needs maintenance !

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Building pressures can causeBuilding pressures can causecombustion gas spillagecombustion gas spillage

Building pressures can causeBuilding pressures can causecombustion gas spillagecombustion gas spillage

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Check for Carbon Monoxide

and other combustion by-products CO alarms Odors Visual evidence Building pressures

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Best to locate CO detectors

18” from ceiling

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Best to locate 18” from ceiling:CO slightly lighter than airHeat sources produce CO

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Lead

• Found in paint, dust, soil

• Most common source lead-based paint

• 1 in 11 U. S. children have dangerous level of lead in bloodstream

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Lead: Health Effects

• Kids Delayed development, lowered IQ,

memory & learning problems, hyperactivity, discipline problems

• Adults & kids Anemia, high blood pressure, kidney &

reproductive disorders

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Lead and Kids

Young children at special risk Unintentional eating of lead-tainted

dust most important route (hand-to-mouth)

Children’s absorption of lead highly efficient

Children’s developing systems especially vulnerable

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Simple Measures To Reduce Lead Hazards

o Dust control (damp dust)o Duct tape for chipso Coating surfaceso Hand-washing to minimize dust

ingestion effects*Never sand, scrape, or burn old

paint unless certain there’s no lead content !*

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Mold

MoistureTemperature between 40°

and 100° FSporesNutrients

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Mold: Health Effects

• Allergic Reactions Runny nose, sinus congestion, irritated

or red eyes, scratchy throat, cough

• Asthma Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath

• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Tightness in chest, difficult breathing,

cough, fever, muscle aches

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Radon

• Naturally occurring radioactive gas

• Invisible and odorless

• Seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation or crawl space

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Radon: Health Effects

• Increased risk of developing lung cancer

• Second leading cause of lung cancer

• Smokers more likely to get radon-induced lung cancer

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Particles

Sources Outdoor sources Activities & pets Tracked-in dirt

Health effects Asthma trigger Allergy trigger

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2626smallest particles can be suspended for 10 days

Settling velocity of smallest particles in terms of days

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Change Furnace Filters

• Keeps air cleaner

• Extends life of equipmentFurnace overheatingHeat pumps

• Energy savings

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If you cannot remove the source . . . Reduce the exposure with cleaning or containment

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Particles

Remove source of particles

. . . if possible Keep particles out

Air sealing Stop dirt at door

Improved particle removal Housekeeping Filtration

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Tobacco Smoking

• High risk Frequent smoking indoors

• Medium risk Occasional smoking only in “well

ventilated” areas

• Low risk Tobacco smoking not permitted indoors

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Second-Hand Smoke: Health Effects

In adults Increased risk of lung cancer Allergic reactions Asthma, wheezing

In children Increased risk of respiratory infections Higher risk of developing asthma Frequent middle ear infections

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ASBESTOS

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Asbestos

ShinglesLinoleumFloor tiles

“Fireproof board”Pipe and duct wrap

Vermiculite insulation“Popcorn” ceiling texture

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Asbestos: Lung Cancer Risks

• High risk “Friable” asbestos present

• Medium risk Asbestos present, but intact

• Low risk Asbestos encapsulated Regularly inspected and maintained

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Chemicals and Pesticides

• Toxins, irritants, carcinogens• Exposure may be oral, inhaled or skin contact

• Get LD-50 and irritancy information• Longevity to affect pest and occupants• Pests may be resistant• Ease of becoming airborne

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Integrated PestManagement Strategies

• Keep them out

Change surrounding landscape

Block pest entries and passages

• Reduce food and water availability Establish and enforce food policy

Repair leaks and prevent condensation

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Integrated Pest Management Strategies (cont.)

• Use pesticides appropriately Use least toxic Respond to problems Apply when building is empty Notify staff and parents

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Ozone GeneratorOzone Generator

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Ozone

• Avoid exposure to indoor ozone• Strong respiratory irritant• Asthma trigger

Ozone “air cleaners” Photocopiers & laser printers

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Volatile Organic Compounds & Chemicals

• Cleaning products & solvents• Personal care products• Crafts• Particle board, carpet, rubber/vinyl

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• High risk Chemicals used without ventilation Long periods of exposure Products stored in home

• Medium risk Hazardous materials used with limited ventilation Short exposure times

• Low risk Products stored and used outside Used with proper ventilation

Household Products & Chemicals

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Carpet

• High risk Old carpet (mold, organics, lead, dirt) Installed on damp concrete/soil

• Medium risk New carpet without ventilation

• Low risk Low-VOC carpet Carpet off-gassed before installation Improved vacuum equipment

• Consider no carpet

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Building & Remodeling

ParticlesLead, asbestos, mold, fiberglass

Glues, sealants, paints, asphalt Pressed wood, paneling/plywood Pressure-treated materials Carpet, rubber, vinyl Internal combustion equipment

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Questions?