Last Updated on February 28, 2015
Indoor air pollution is a problem that can infest one home to another with every room compromised in many instances. The causes may vary though but what makes it so dangerous is the fact that its effects can accumulate in levels that are dangerous enough to harm your health. With poor air quality entering your structure, everything can worsen. It is then best to know what causes indoor air pollution just so you may be able to deal with these problems later on:
Asbestos
A substance that naturally occurs on soil, asbestos is said to pose a little health risk but this can worsen once it starts infesting your homes or any indoor structure or facility. They are invited guests that have been dwelling in your home for a long time now but you have not considered having them in actually. They are present in insulators and all other building materials but since they cannot be seen through the naked eye, their dangers are left unnoticed as well. As an indoor pollutant, it can result to long-term lung scarring, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Combustion gases and particles
This is considered the topmost concern when it comes to the leading sources of indoor air pollution. The scenario with combustion goes this way. Statistics say that around 4 million people are killed by household cook stoves every year and most of the time, it is the developing countries that are mostly affected. Combustion may likewise be an effect of smoke that comes from heating stoves, space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces and even tobacco. When combustion takes place, pollutants are released, the most popular of which are nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Another colourless gas called radon
Radon’s colourless attribute makes it unseen through the naked eye. These deadly gas particles have been recorded as the second amongst the many causes of lung cancers in the United States alone with about 21,000 Americans killed yearly. Radon can actually come from the soil specifically with the presence of decaying uranium, another chemical element that is said to emit radon. There are certain regions all over the world that are said to be more susceptible to radon emission over those of others. Radon may be harmless when it spreads through outdoor air but once it is trapped inside a building or any other structure for that matter, there can be dangers that will come next. They can be unnoticed since they get through a structure by flowing into any gaps in its foundation. From there, they can spread further into lower floors and basements.
The 3Ds
These are dander, droppings and dust. These three are considered biological indoor air pollutants that plague a lot of structures. They can be a result of cockroaches and dust mites or even rodents that hide in unreachable areas within the building. They can leave body parts and their allergenic feces that when transmitted to indoor air can compromise one’s health. In fact, breathing in droppings will result to problems.
The VOCs
Volatile organic compounds, otherwise known as VOCs, are compounds commonly found in many of the consumer products like glue and paint. They can even be present in shower curtains and printers. These compounds have very low boiling points thus causing them to give off vapour or steam in room temperature. These vapours released by VOCs can result to health issues like nausea and headaches and are often related to what is called sick building syndrome. In other instances, they can result to severe affects, counting cancer and brain damage.
The harmful pesticides
Pesticides are often used to get rid of insects, rodents and all sorts of pests that are known to cause indoor air pollution. We trust these products when it comes to doing their job but they can be poisonous thus increasing the risk of other problems. They are toxic and even their organic forms do carry with them some dangers. Their health effects may vary from one dosage to another but most of the time nausea and headaches are common symptoms of exposure.
Last but not the least – Fungi
Fungi come in many forms, mold and mildew included. These indoor air polluters are said to bring in contamination inside the home most specifically as they prey through bathrooms, basements and other dark dwelling places where they love to thrive. They can pose skin irritation, at times wheezing and even nasal stuffiness. Asthma may also be developed in children with mold and mildew exposure.
Most, if not all, of these indoor air pollutants cannot be seen by the naked eye. This is why it is important to seek help when it comes to indoor air quality testing in Mississauga. This is the only assurance you will get in order to eliminate the risks that come with exposure to these substances and fungi.