pubhlth 264 - week 2: indoor pollution study guide

why indoor air pollution is important?

people spend most of their time indoors, and indoors people are exposed to more pollutants than outdoors due to confined areas

what health problems are associated with exposure to smoking, ETS, & vaping?

• health effects:

  • adult cancers (adults)

  • low birth weight, mortality (children)

what health problem is associated with exposure to radon in homes?

health effect: lung cancer

what is the source of radon in home?

permeable soils

explain how asbestos can be damaging to our health

fibres pierce and become entangled in lower lung tissue, causing lung tissue buildup and respiratory illnesses

what are the most common diseases associated with long-term asbestos exposure?

health effects: asbestiosis, mesothelioma, tumor, lung cancer

particleboard, plywood, and wood paneling may emit significant amounts of what common indoor air pollutant?

formaldehyde

what is PBDE?

polybrominated diphenyl ethers

describe the major source and health effects of PBDE

• health effects:

  • flame retardant in upholstered furniture and consumer electronics

  • thyroid hormone disruption, fetal malformations, cancer

what are organic solvents?

organic substance that dissolves another substance resulting in a solution

describe the major health effects of organic solvents

• health effects:

  • short term: general non-specific depression of the central nervous system (CNS)

  • long term: neuropsychiatric symptoms (fatigue, memory impairment, concentration difficulties)

why pesticides can be a problem indoors?

health effects: neurotoxins, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, irritants

describe the common sources of indoor environmental contaminants at residential homes and workplaces.*

• mold

• mildew

• bacteria

• pet dander

• dust mites

• pollen

what is the most frequent cause of "sick building syndrome"?*

inadequate ventilation

describe the relationship of ventilation and air pollutant concentrations with significant indoor sources.

lower ventilation, higher air pollutant concentrations

understand the reasons for indoor air quality problems and strategies to improve indoor air quality.

• reasons: inadequate ventilation, building materials, biological contamination

• strategies: increased ventilation, pollutant source control (i.e. dust collectors, filters, gas adsorbing materials),

• dehumidification, air cleaners (NOT air fresheners)

what is the main problem of indoor air pollution in developing countries, particularly rural areas? why and how to improve it?*

• indoor combustion of biomass from improper ventilation of stoves

• improve ventilation of stoves

what are the main possible risk factor(s) of covid-19 transmission indoors?

• float in the air for long periods

• concentrate over time in enclosed rooms where people are breathing, talking, or singing

• travel beyond 6 feet, meaning people far from an infected person can still inhale enough virus to become infected

why is the droplet theory for covid-19 & possibly other infectious disease transmission NOT right?

• aerosol science: scientific evidence shows we release hundreds of tiny particles (aerosols) even while just breathing, which carry more virus than previously expected

• events like choir practices with one person insects, can not be explained by the theory because it requires the virus to stay suspended in the air to reach everyone in the room

droplet theory

• assumes that respiratory disease spread through large, heavy droplets that fall to the ground within 3-6 feet

• was a “dogma” aka principle, because saying a disease was airborn would cause panic

how can we use mask, ventilation, air cleaner, & disinfection to minimize covid-19 transmission indoors?

• ventilation

• filtration of air cleaners

• disinfection

• masks 

how can we get adequate indoor ventilation while keeping energy efficiency?

• improving existing HVAC systems while decreasing energy use by 10% to 20%

• smart technology like CO2 sensors to see when more fresh air is needed with more people in the room & not needed when the room is empty

• HVAC adjustments for improving filtration