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In the United States, people spend a majority of their time indoors, which is around 87% of the time. Buildings and what is inside them often emit harmful particulate matter and gases. In short, indoor air pollution has the potential to be highly hazardous to human health.
There are many sources of indoor air pollution. Some of these sources are listed in the table below.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution | Examples/Derivations |
---|---|
Building materials | Asbestos, formaldehyde from upholstery and carpeting, and off-gassing from particleboard, plywood, drywall, and plastics can all produce harmful air pollutants. |
Pesticides | When used or stored indoors, pesticides can create air hazards. |
Biologicals | Trapped mold or mold growing because of water damage can produce toxins. Dust mites, fungal spores, and pet hair can also pollute air. |
Combustibles | Combustibles from heating systems, such as fireplaces, gas heaters, stoves, and kerosene heaters, produce pollutants. |
Radon | This naturally occurring radioactive gas can be hazardous. |
Lead dust | Lead dust can occur from paint and is an indoor air pollutant. |
Ozone | Ozone from copying machines can be an indoor air pollutant as well. |
Miscellaneous | This grouping includes grills, car exhaust, secondhand smoke, paints, and cleaning products. |
The following are some important facts to consider about the sources of indoor air pollution:
Immediate effects of indoor air pollution can be eye and nose irritation and even dizziness, and long-term effects can be damage to organs and tissues, visual impairment, and even cancer.
There are efforts that can be made to improve the impacts of indoor air pollution, such as the following:
Source: THIS TUTORIAL WAS AUTHORED BY JENSEN MORGAN FOR SOPHIA LEARNING. PLEASE SEE OUR TERMS OF USE.