Air PollutionPollution

Pollutants entering the home What we do in our homes and the products

we use How the home is built and maintained

Factors that Affect the Quality of Air Inside

Biological pollutants Bacteria Mould Dust mites

Radiological pollutants Radon

Types of Inside Air Pollution

Chemical pollutants Gases and particles from appliances that burn

oil, gas or wood Tobacco smoke Household cleaners Personal care products Building materials From outside the home

Sources of Inside Air Pollution

Biological pollutants Bacteria – grow from excessive humidity from

showering Mould – grow from excessive humidity from

showering or cooking, found in damp basements Dust mites – live in the dust found on furniture and

floor coverings Radiological pollutants

Radon – seeps through cracks in the foundation and drains into the home

Sources of Inside Air Pollution

Chemical pollutants Gases and particles from appliances that burn oil, gas or wood -

particulate matter and carbon monoxide (e.g. from a fireplace if it is not properly venter or there are poor burning practices), particulates from cooking/frying, nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves, carbon monoxide leaking from furnaces

Tobacco smoke Household cleaners Personal care products Building materials – formaldehyde and VOC’s released (e.g. painting,

new furniture) From outside the home – come through the air vents (e.g. ozone,

particulate matter), or through the garage (e.g. carbon monoxide, particulates from vehicle exhaust)

Effects experienced depend on the levels to which they are exposed and the length of the exposure, in general these effects include… Asthma Allergies Respiratory ailments Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Effects of Inside Air Pollution

Specifically, these effects include… Biological Pollutants

Mould – asthma trigger, allergen Dust mites – asthma trigger, allergen, may cause asthma to

develop in some people Chemical Pollutants Released from Combustion

Carbon monoxide (CO) – flu-like symptoms, to loss of consciousness and death, cardiovascular effects in people with heart problems at lower levels

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) – respiratory irritant Particulate Matter (PM) – respiratory and cardiovascular

effects

Effects of Inside Air Pollution

Chemical Pollutants Released from Products Formaldehyde – irritates eyes, note, throat and

lungs, triggers asthma, increases risk of respiratory problems, carcinogen

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – eyes, note and throat irritants, known and suspected carcinogens (e.g. benzene, trichloroethylene)

Radiological Pollutants Radon – carcinogen, risk factor for lung cancer

Industrial activities Personal every day actions

Driving Heating Our Homes

Factors that Affect the Quality of Air Outside

Ozone Particulate matter (PM)

These are the two main components of smog (describe the mix of gases and particles in the air that often causes reduced visibility)

Smog

Main Types of Outside Air Pollution

Ozone Occurs naturally in Earth’s atmosphere At high altitudes it forms a protective screen

against UV rays At low altitudes (aka ground-level), ozone is

formed when pollutants are exposed to sunlight Ozone is formed at ground-level by burning fossil

fuels and industrial processes

Types of Outside Air Pollution

Particulate matter Mix of microscope airborne liquid and solid particles Origin is either natural (e.g. windblown soil, seal salt

spray, volcanic dust) or caused by humans (e.g. burning fossil fuels, industrial processes)

Two forms Primary PM

Directly emitted into the air Secondary PM

Formed in the atmosphere from chemical reactions with nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Classification of Particulate Matter

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) <0.1 micron in diameter

Fine particles (PM2.5) <2.5 microns

Coarse particles (PM10-

2.5) between 2.5 and 10 microns

Inhalable particles (PM10) <10 microns

Carbon monoxide Forms from the incomplete combustion of

fossil fuels (e.g. vehicle’s exhaust) Nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide

By-product of burning fossil fuels

Other Forms of Outside Air Pollution

Effects experienced depend on the levels to which they are exposed and the length of the exposure, in general these effects include…

Effects to the respiratory and cardiovascular system

Effects of Outside Air Pollution

Specifically, these effects include… Ozone

Emergency room visits for asthma Hospital admissions for respiratory and

cardiovascular diseases Hospital admissions among the elderly for

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia or asthma

Premature death because of lung and heart disease

Effects of Outside Air Pollution

Particulate Matter Problems for people with chronic breathing and

heart conditions Emergency room visits and hospital admissions

for people with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions (including newborns)

Premature death because of lung and heart disease

Skin - absorption Eyes - absorption Ears - absorption Nose - inhalation Mouth - inhalation

How Air Pollution Enters Our Bodies