What is Indoor Air Pollution?
Indoor air pollution can be any number of pollutants. Radon, asbestos, tobacco smoke, solvents, cleaning solutions, carbon monoxide, mold, and fungus can pollute indoor air. Indoor air pollution souces include attached garages, new carpets and furniture, water leaks and condensation, chemical storage, poorly operating heaters, and is worsened by inadequate ventilation. Here are some facts: • Indoor air pollution may exist at levels 2 to 5 times more than outdoor levels. • Sometimes, the concentration indoors is 100 times the outdoor pollutant concentration. • Studies indicate children spend more and more time indoors, and less and less outside. • People may spend 90% of their time indoors. Because of this, indoor air pollution is now receiving a great amount of attention. What are the potential health effects? The health effects depend on the chemical, its concentration in the air, and the length of exposure. Long term health effects can include: • cancer • chronic bronchitis • asthma
