Indoor Air Pollution: Hazardous to Your Health

Would you still use your face wash if you knew it caused cancer? Would you still use your shampoo if you knew it caused developmental and reproductive toxicity? Would you still use your aerosol hairspray if you knew it has caused many deaths? These questions are not casual concerns. These are factors contributing to indoor air pollution, which is affecting every human around the world to varying degrees.

Air pollution is not limited to the outdoors. Since people spend the majority of their time indoors they are more at risk to the harmful effects of indoor air pollutants. In fact, studies show that “concentrations of some toxic, cancer-causing and mutagenic pollutants found indoors are up to 100 times greater indoors than they are outdoors” (Stammer).

Health conscious people watch what their bodies consume inward by eating nutritious foods and taking vitamins, but are not always conscious of their outward intake. Living a healthy lifestyle should be a high priority for everyone, especially if you have children. As parents, it is important to set a good example and raise healthy children to the best of your ability.

Indoor air pollutants can enter the body by inhalation and through skin absorption. This causes people to consume chemicals unknowingly, which results in short or long-term effects that can show up immediately or later in life. The scary thing is that most people have not been informed that indoor air pollution even exists and how dangerous it can be.

“Concern over indoor air has now risen to such an extent that the United States for Disease Control has classified indoor air pollution as a factor of high environmental risk” (Rumchev).

Sadly, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that each year over five million children under 14 years of age die “from illnesses and other conditions caused by the environments in which they live, learn and play” (qtd. in Capdevila). This news is likely to cause parents to feel overwhelmed and frustrated, hopefully sparking a desire to implement lifestyle changes.

It is nearly impossible for the average person to refrain from using toxic products since most of us have a daily routine that requires the use of them. Unlike strict regulations on food in the United States, there are minimal regulations on chemicals. Just because a product is sold on the market does not mean it is safe.

Women and young children are especially vulnerable when it comes to the effects of indoor toxins because of their time spent indoors. Pregnant women are at a high risk due to toxins harming a developing fetus; breastfeeding mothers and babies are at risk due to toxins entering the milk supply; and children are at risk due to their smaller lungs and body size, and need to crawl on the floor and put things in their mouths. They have “higher resting metabolic and oxygen consumption rates than adults (Rumchev).” The sick and elderly are also at a high risk due to their compromised immune systems.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) some major indoor air pollutants in the home are: radon, environmental tobacco smoke, biologicals, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, organic gases, formaldehyde, pesticides, asbestos, and lead (The Inside Story, 19-23).

Radon
Radon is described as “a naturally occurring gas formed by the decay of radium [that] can cause lung cancer” (Shabecoff). Sources of radon include: a house built on earth and rock, well water, and building materials (The Inside Story, 19).

Paul Mikolaycik, PhD in safety engineering, is the North American Regional Safety Manager for the AES Corporation. His previous job involved managing environmental power plants, where he made sure people operated the facilities in an environmentally sound and safe manner (abiding by the EPA).

He mentioned that one of the problems of radon is that the U.S. government does not have the manpower to enforce; therefore they have to leave it up to local agencies and police departments. On a positive note, he said many homes with basements in the Midwest are required to have a radon test when you purchase them.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Three sources of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are: cigarette, pipe, and cigar smoking (The Inside Story, 19). This is one of the most fatal indoor air pollutants, especially for children. It is also a contributor to many of the indoor air pollutants below.

There are many terrible side effects as a result of ETS, such as developing respiratory tract infections and even lung cancer. Through second-hand smoke children are also at risk for developing asthma and lung problems (The Inside Story, 19).

Biologicals
Some biological pollutants include: mold, mildew, bacteria, dust, bedding, unclean humidifiers and dehumidifiers (The Inside Story, 20). These pollutants can cause breathing difficulties, tiredness, fever, headaches, and digestive problems. Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat are also side effects. (The Inside Story, 20).

In one article dust was referred to as a “sink for semivolatile organic compounds, particulate organic matter, and metals ” (qtd. in Elliott et al). This contributes to allergies and asthma, among other things.

“Asthma, attention deficit disorder, autism, increasing infertility in women and declining testosterone levels and sperm counts in men all may be caused or aggravated by household toxic exposure” (Davis).

Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is known to be a “silent killer” since this harmful gas does not have a “color, odor, or taste” (Etzel). Stoves, heating systems, fireplaces, leaking chimneys and furnaces can produce this, as well as exhaust from automobiles in attached garages. Some health effects caused by carbon monoxide are: fatigue or chest pain, impaired vision and coordination, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can be a culprit of kerosene heaters, as well as unvented gas stoves and heaters. It can irritate people’s eyes, nose, and throat (The Inside Story, 20). It can also cause children to experience lung and respiratory illnesses (20).

Organic Gases
The sources of dangerous organic gases are: household products, wood preservatives, moth repellents, air fresheners, automotive products, dry-cleaned clothes, and aerosol sprays. The most common side effect from some organic gases is cancer. They can also cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, and nervous system damage (The Inside Story, 21).

According to Dr. Bertram Carnow, Head Occupational and Environmental Medicine from the University of Illinois School of Medicine, “Some women may create an alarming indoor pollution crisis every morning in their bathrooms by using a hair spray, or foot spray. The clouds of particles emitted from these sprays may enter the lungs. There may be no sign of damage for 10 to 20 years” (qtd. in Fritsch et al).

Respirable Particles
Fireplaces, woodstoves, kerosene heaters, and environmental smoke are all sources of respirable particles (The Inside Story, 21). These particles can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, respiratory tract infections, and lung cancer.

Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is “a probable human cancer-causing agent, wafts from foam insulation, plywood and particle board” (Stammer). It is also a by-product of environmental tobacco smoke, durable press fabrics and draperies, certain textiles, and glues. The CPSC describes it as a “colorless, strong-smelling gas”.

Pesticides
A commonly known pollutant used to control and kill unwanted household pests, such as: insecticides, termiticides, and disinfectants are pesticides (The Inside Story, 22). “These products are found in sprays, sticks, powders, crystals, balls, and foggers” (CDC). Approximately 84 percent of households in the U.S. use pesticides in their home without being aware of the consequences (Stammer). Pesticides from the outdoors can also be easily tracked indoors.

Asbestos
Asbestos is found in cement, insulation, floor tiles, fireproofing, and acoustic materials that are deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed (The Inside Story, 22). This can lead to abdominal and lung cancer (22). Fortunately, “numerous asbestos-abatement programs are under way in schools and public buildings. In July, the EPA banned most remaining uses of asbestos” (Stammer).

Lead
Lead can be found in paint, drinking water, contaminated soil, and house dust (The Indoor Story, 22). Large quantities of lead can be life threatening since it affects the entire body.

Dr. Mikolaycik said when lead is ingested it metabolizes and is stored in your fat. When it gets released into your blood stream and collects in your brain it causes mental problems. He also said that we started to remove lead from paint in the early to mid 1970s. Any house built before that could be a cause for concern, especially if a child is chewing on the window ceils and furniture. Another place where lead can end up over the years is in the dirt, where most children play.

According to Parents magazine, “When it comes to lead, there is just no safe blood level for children.” They recommend getting your child tested with the recently approved FDA lead test that takes place in some pediatrician’s offices with results given within minutes. This is a good idea given all of the recent toy recalls.

Dilemma
After retaining and trying to sort out all of this overwhelming information you might ask: What can I do to prevent indoor air pollution, how much is too much, and how much is not enough?

First of all, preventing every form of indoor air pollution is very unlikely. However, becoming more informed about this issue and reacting upon it in a calm and reasonable manner seems like the best approach.

Solutions

• Before throwing out your household products, visit a valuable and convenient resource, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Check out the printable EWG’s Safety Guide to Children’s Personal Care Products, which lists the following four important tips: use fewer products and use them less frequently, don’t trust the claims and check ingredients, buy fragrance-free products, and visit http://cosmeticdatabase.com/ to review the products you are using. The group is committed to make every effort to protect the public from unsafe chemicals in personal care products, especially since “no special protections exist regarding ingredients in personal care products marketed for babies and children” (EWG). Sign the EWG’s petition to Congress to change current policies to ensure safe personal care products.

• Become familiar with ingredients in products and know what is considered to be safe.

• Clean up your act (literally) with environmentally friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable household products such as: Clorox Green Works, Method, and Seventh Generation.

• Protect your children by staying up-to-date on the latest recalls and product safety news by visiting the following web site: http://www.cpsc.gov/index.html.

• Avoid using air fresheners and use candles in moderation, since the chemicals in them are not proven to be safe.
  

• One study concluded that certain indoor plants are able to soak up formaldehyde, certain flowers are able to reduce levels of benzene (caused by solvent cleaners), and certain indoor trees are natural air purifiers (Stammer).

• Purchase a High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) air cleaner and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. This is very important if you have allergies.

• Clean, dust, and vacuum regularly.

• Be aware that “new carpeting may emit chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOC) that could irritate your baby’s skin, eyes, sinuses, and upper respiratory tract” (Johnston). Fortunately, a safer carpet with lower chemicals is available and should be installed in a well-ventilated area.

• Get your carpet and upholstery cleaned at least once a year and hire an environmentally safe company, such as Chem-Dry. The “patented process generates millions of effervescent bubbles in hot solution which does not contain soaps, detergents or surfactants, leaving a carpet free of mold and mildew” (Business Wire).

• Choose a non-toxic, environmentally safe dry cleaners. If you go to a regular one, make sure to air out your items by removing the plastic as soon as possible to get rid of excess chemicals before bringing them into your home.

• Air out your home often by opening windows and screen doors for better ventilation.

• Install exhaust fans and ventilation systems, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. This is important for newer homes since they are being built air tight for energy efficiency.

• If you insist on using harsh chemicals it is very important to turn on an exhaust fan or open a window.

• Vent your home when burning candles, stoves, and fireplaces.

• Avoid using open wood stoves and fireplaces. A better option is to use an enclosed, glass firebox. If you own a wood stove or fireplace good maintenance is imperative. Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood that has been split properly (EPA).

• Maintain the heating systems in your home and have a professional maintain your furnace and chimney yearly.

• Look for safer, alternative methods rather than using pesticides, such as vinegar and water or boric acid. It is best to hire a professional or get their recommendation.

• Remove shoes before coming indoors to prevent from bringing in outdoor pollutants.

• The EPA recommends installing and maintaining a carbon monoxide detector, and testing your home for radon.

• Never smoke indoors. It is extremely dangerous to everyone's health.
  

References

1. Business Editors. “This Place is Making Me Sick; Leave a Carpet Dry and Lead a HealthierLife.” Business Wire 15 March 1999 1. ABI/INFORM Dateline. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com//>.
   
2. Capdevila, Gustavo. “HEALTH: CHILDREN FALL ILL IN WORLD DEGRADED BY PRIOR GENERATIONS.” Global Information Network 7 April 2003 1. Research Library. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/>.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 16 Apr. 2008 <http://www.cdc.gov/>.
4. Davis, Tony. "Worst pollution risks increasingly indoors: Not so sweet home: Toxins lurk in air, dust, even cleaning supplies." McClatchy - Tribune Business News 30 Nov. 2007 ABI/FORM Dateline. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/>.
5. Elliott, Leslie, Samuel J Arbes Dr, Eric S Harvey, Robert C Lee, et al. “Dust Weight and Asthma Prevelance in the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing (NSLAH).” Environmental Health Perspectives 115.2 (2007): 215-20. Research Library. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/>.
6. Environmental Working Group (EWG). 2007 <http://www.ewg.org/>.
7. Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Environmental Working Group (EWG). 2007 <http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/>.
8. Etzel, Ruth A. “The “fatal four” indoor air pollutants.” Pediatric Annals 29.6 (2000): 344-50. Research Library. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/>.
9. Fritsch, Albert, Barbara Hogan, and Susan Guhl. How Aerosol Sprays Can Affect Your Safety and Health. Washingon, DC: Center for Science in the Public Interest, 1973.
10. Johnston, Carden. “Keep your home healthy..” Baby Talk 69.1 (Feb. 2004): 21-21. Health Source – Consumer Edition. EBSCO. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 4 Apr. 2008 <http://www.ebscohost.com/>.
11. "Lead Update." Parents Magazine Apr. 2008: 35.
12. Mikolaycik, Paul. Personal interview. 11 April 2008.
13. Rumchev, Krassi. “The Effect of Indoor Air Pollution on CHILDREN’S HEALTH.” Australasian Science 1 Jun 2005: 14-17. ProQuest Education Journals. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/>.
14. Shabecoff, Philip, Special to the New York Times. “CONGRESS IS TOLD INDOOR AIR POLLUTION IS GRAVE THREAT.” New York Times [New York, N.Y.] 25 Apr. 1987, Late Edition (East Coast): 1.6. ProQuest National Newspapers Core. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/>.
15. Stammer, Larry B. "COLUMN ONE Clean Air Quest - an Inside Job When it comes to human health, pollution in homes and offices may be the greatest threat :[Home Edition]." Los Angeles Times (pre-1997 Fulltext) [Los Angeles, Calif.] 26 Dec. 1989, 1. Los Angeles Times. ProQuest. University of La Verne Library, La Verne, CA. 2 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com/.
16. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 18 Apr. 2008 <http://www.cpsc.gov/>.
17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 18 Apr. 2008 <http://www.epa.gov/>.
18. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. Washington, DC: Supt. of Docs., G.P.O., distributor, 1993.

*Symptoms Related to Indoor Air Pollutants (chart)
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*Indoor Air Pollutants in a Home (photo)
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