7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants

Major indoor air pollutants with description, sources, and health effects!!

Lead

Description: A toxic metal

Sources: Lead- based paint and dust, solder or pipes and food cans, contaminated soil and drinking water

Health Effects: In adults there is an increase in blood pressure, kidney damage, digestive and reproductive problems. In children there is problems with hearing, growth and learning. There is also lack of coordination and hyperactivity.

Nitrogen Dioxide (N02)

Description: Colorless, odorless gas

Sources: Kerosene heaters, gas stoves and furnaces, and environmental tobacco smoke

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, shortness of breath, and increased risk of respiratory disease.

Asbestos (A)

Description: Mineral fiber

Sources: Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed insulation, flooring, siding, and roofing.

Health Effects: Lung scarring canger and lung cancer

Formaldehyde (F)

Description: Chemical used in industry, by-product of combustion

Sources: Pressed wood products, glues, cabinets, and furniture, permanent press clothing, insulation, and environmental tobacco smoke.

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, severe allergic reaction, may cause cancer

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Description: Mixture of materials in smoke

Sources: Cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, exhaled smoke

Health Effects: eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, lung cancer, respiratory and ear infections, heat disease, and asthma.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Description: Colorless, odorless gas

Sources: Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, environmental tobacco smoke, fireplaces and chimneys, furnaces, motor vehicles, and gas stoves

Health Effects: Fatigue, chest pain, impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion and disorientation, nausea, and death

Biological Contaminants (BC)

Description: Bacteria, molds, viruses, mildew, pollen, cockroaches, dander, dust mites

Sources: Wet or moist walls, ceilings, carpets, or furniture; air conditioners and humidifiers; bedding; and household pets

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, shortness of breath, dizziness, fever, digestive problems, infectious diseases, asthma

Organic Chemicals (OC)

Description: Ingredients in household products

Sources: Paints, hobby supplies, aerosol sprays, cleaners, automotive products, dry-cleaned clothing, disinfectants

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, memory impairment, damage to the central nervous system and kidneys, possible increased risk of cancer

Pesticides (P)

Description: Toxic chemicals

Sources: Bug sprays, lawn and garden treatments, rodent sprays, flea and tick powders

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, muscle twitching, nausea, headaches, damage to the central nervous system and liver, increased risk of cancer

Radon (R)

Description: Colorless, odorless, radioactive gas

Sources: Rocks and soil beneath the home, well water

Health Effects: Second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States (after smoking)