The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution.central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices.products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care or hobbies.building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products.These include combustion sources such as: There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. A glossary and a list of organizations where you can get additional information are available in this document. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to help you decide whether to take actions that can reduce the level of indoor air pollution in your own home.īecause so many Americans spend a lot of time in offices with mechanical heating, cooling and ventilation systems, there is also a short section on the causes of poor air quality in offices and what you can do if you suspect that your office may have a problem. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S.
Fortunately, there are steps that most people can take both to reduce the risk from existing sources and to prevent new problems from occurring. There can be a serious risk from the cumulative effects of these sources. While pollutant levels from individual sources may not pose a significant health risk by themselves, most homes have more than one source that contributes to indoor air pollution. Such groups include the young, the elderly and the chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease.
In addition, people who may be exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods of time are often those most susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.
In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices. Some we choose to accept because to do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives the way we want. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Following the advice given will not necessarily provide complete protection in all situations or against all health hazards that may be caused by indoor air pollution.Īll of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Information provided in this booklet is based on scientific and technical understanding of the issues presented and is reflective of the jurisdictional boundaries established by the statutes governing the co-authoring agencies.
0 kommentar(er)
