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Pollution Sources
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, household air pollution is caused by several sources, including wood burned in fireplaces, deteriorating building materials, chemical cleansers and other household products. Tobacco smoke is also a common source of indoor air pollution. Certain species of mold produce spores that can cause people to become sick as well. Outside sources of pollution can pollute household air, so those living near factories that emit excessive pollution may be more likely to find that pollution inside their homes. Radon, an invisible, radioactive gas, can also seep in from outside, as can pollutants from pesticides and fertilizers used in the garden.
Adverse Health Effects
Exposure to indoor air pollutants can have immediate or long-term health effects. Immediate effects can include eye irritation and respiratory congestion, according to the EPA. Excessive or continued exposure to some pollutants can cause cancer, asthma, and heart or respiratory disease, but the specific effects of indoor air pollution vary from person to person and require continued study. One of the few studies done on this topic found that households in the United Arab Emirates with high levels of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen sulfide were two times as likely to have residents diagnosed with asthma. Households in which incense was burned showed a statistically significant increase in reports of headaches and forgetfulness. The study was published in the May 2012 edition of the Environmental Health Perspectives journal.
The Worst Offenders
Radon results from the breakdown of uranium in the ground and can be found worldwide. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to the World Health Organization. Radon test kits are available from many county health departments and the installation of a radon mitigation system can take a qualified contractor less than a day. The cost and time needed for installation will vary depending on the type of mitigation and extent of the problem, according to the New York State Department of Health.
Asbestos is another big offender. The U.S. phased in a ban on asbestos use in building construction between 1973 and 1977, according to a regulatory timeline on EPA's website, but most buildings constructed before that time contain some asbestos. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and asbestos has been linked to several forms of lung cancer as well as scarring of lung tissue. Proper maintenance of older homes is necessary to reduce asbestos exposure.
Breathing Easier
Proper ventilation is essential to the mitigation of household air pollution. Some air should be allowed to flow from within the house to the outside and back again. Outdoor air can enter a home through windows and doors as well as through cracks in walls, floors and ceilings. Mechanical devices can also be used to encourage ventilation. The presence of radon requires a professionally installed mitigation system that vents radon gas from the lowest point of the home straight outside. Household air pollution can be reduced by avoiding or reducing the use of chemicals and combustibles inside. Older buildings should be checked for the presence of lead and asbestos, and building materials that used to be popular but are now linked to serious health issues.