Pollutants in the Air You Breathe: Risks and Prevention

If you think that taxing cigarettes and regulating smokers is making the air that you breathe pure, then you would be wrong. Tobacco and second hand cigarette smoke, while unhealthful, are only one of the many culprits that pollute the air that you breathe. Unfortunately the public obsession with the regulation of smoking has provided a distraction from the other noxious, even deadly poisonous materials that are in the air you inhale everyday but to which you probably pay little attention.

The vast array of biological contaminants that may be found in indoor air is daunting. In addition to mold, these contaminants can include various bacteria, viruses, animal dander, cat saliva, cockroach particles, pollen and dust mites just to name a few.

What you don’t know about the air that you breathe could be harmful to your health. In fact, scientific studies have proven repeatedly that air pollution can cause:

• Premature death
• Increased hospitalizations and emergency room visits to treat severe symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems
• More frequent absences from work and school
• Susceptibility to respiratory infections, such as flu and pneumonia
• Elevated risk of heart attack in people who have heart disease
• Cancer

And like a stone thrown into the water, the deleterious effects of air pollution create ever-widening circles of catastrophe that ripple through our other socio-economic institutions until each of us is affected in some manner. Consider the dollars lost on employee productivity because of absenteeism or sickness related to air pollution, the financial and psychological toll on the families whose loved ones and wage earners are made ill by air pollution and the burden placed on our already over-taxed and increasingly expensive health care system by illnesses traced to air pollution.

Clean air is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Did you know that the air inside many homes often registers a higher level of contamination than outdoor air? While this sounds frightening on the surface, the indoor air in your home is captive air and under your control, unlike outdoor air. Arming yourself with information about air pollutants is the first step toward improving the quality of the air in your home.

Major Air Pollutants
These are some of the most frequently encountered pollutants.

Smog – Smog, that yellowish, pea soup-colored stuff that hangs menacingly over some cities is actually ground level ozone. Smog is the end product of a reaction between nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have come together in the presence of heat and sunlight. The ingredients in smog come from a variety of sources: industrial smokestacks, high content VOC paints, motor vehicles, even nature which produces many VOC-containing plants like kudzu, the invasive and rapidly spreading vine that smothers everything in its path. Negative health effects mirror those of VOCs below.

VOCs – Apparently there is no widely accepted agreement as to what constitutes an exact definition of a volatile oil compound, but a broad, working definition is: An organic compound, belonging to a class of carbon-containing chemical compounds, that evaporates or vaporizes readily under normal conditions. For example, the distinctive odor of gasoline is the result of a vaporizing VOC.

VOCs are contained in a wide variety of commercial, industrial and residential products including fuel oils, gasoline, solvents, cleaners and degreasers, paints, inks, dyes, refrigerants and pesticides.

Adverse health effects of both smog and VOC’s as reported by the EPA are:

• “airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath
• wheezing and breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities
• inflammation, which is much like a sunburn on the skin
• aggravation of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis
• permanent lung damage with repeated exposures”

Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is a chemical compound that The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) terms methanal, molecular formula, CH2O. Formaldehyde is produced industrially by oxidizing methanol. Classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that “occupational exposure to formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans.”

The most common sources of formaldehyde in homes are pressed wood products that use adhesives containing urea-formaldehyde resins. Particleboard used as sub-flooring and in cabinetry and furniture shelving; hardwood plywood paneling used as a decorative wall covering and in cabinets and furniture; and medium density fiberboard are the worst offenders with meduim density fiberboard topping the list. Unvented fuel-burning appliances like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters are other formaldehyde sources inside the home.

Formaldehyde in various concentrations can cause all of the same symptoms as smog and VOCs, in addition to being carcinogenic.

Carbon Monoxide – Carbon monoxide is a toxic, colorless, odorless gas that you can’t see, taste or smell, the reason it can seriously harm or even kill you without your awareness. Symptoms of low levels of exposure mimic the flue: dizziness, headache, nausea, disorientation and confusion. At moderate levels, carbon monoxide exposure can cause impaired vision, lethargy, angina and reduced brain functioning. At high levels it is fatal.

The most serious sources of large amounts of carbon monoxide in homes are worn or old boilers and furnaces that are poorly adjusted or badly maintained. Flues that are incorrectly sized, obstructed or leaking are also significant offenders. It is not a good idea to use un-vented kerosene or space heaters or gas stoves inside the home because incomplete oxidation can cause the release of significant amounts of carbon monoxide into the air. Other sources of carbon monoxide due to back-drafting are: furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, generators and other gasoline-powered devices, and car exhaust that leaks into the home through attached garages.

Nitrogen Dioxide – Nitrogen dioxide and its close sibling nitric oxide, a corrosive, are both toxic gases that are released into the air from the same sources as carbon monoxide, but the symptoms of nitrogen dioxide toxicity are different. Nitrogen dioxide irritates the mucous membranes that line the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. Firemen require careful protection from high doses of nitrogen oxide when fighting building fires to prevent pulmonary edema. High levels of exposure over time may cause acute or chronic bronchitis and low levels of exposure worsens asthma and decreases lung function.

Radon – According to the EPA, radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is “the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually.”

This cancer causing toxic gas occurs naturally in rocks, soil and water and seeps into homes at the lowest level through cracks in basement floors or from areas that are in contact with the soil. Radon dissolved in water can be released as a gas into the air during cooking and bathing. The EPA has divided the U.S. into three zones based on the predicted likelihood of discovering radon and unfortunately, radon has been found in all three zones, even the zone considered to have the lowest likelihood of having radon. The EPA suggests that all home owners test their homes for radon, even in the “low potential” zone.

Mold – After tobacco smoke, mold is the newest popular concern among air-quality observers. Mold spores, the tiny particles needed for reproduction, constantly float in our indoor and outdoor air. When these spores come in contact with excessive moisture, they adhere to surfaces and begin replicating. Molds can grow anywhere-on wood, paper, rugs, foods-as long as water or excessive moisture is present.

Some people are sensitive to molds and when exposed experience nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, skin irritation, even wheezing. Asthma attacks may be triggered in those with strong sensitivities.

Mold is eliminated or reduced by controlling the humidity (to 30-60%) in inside air; cutting off water sources such as may be found around leaky faucets; wiping up spills, drying damp or wet furnishings, walls, floors, etc. within 24-48 hours; venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; using exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning; and peventing condensation around windows, pipes, exterior walls, roofs and floors by adding insulation. Mold that is already present can be eliminated by washing the area with a weak solution of bleach and water and drying thoroughly. Eliminating all mold and mold spores in the environment is impractical. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has not set a standard or threshold limit for mold in indoor air.

Biological Contaminants and Airborn Particulates - The vast array of biological contaminants that may be found in indoor air is daunting. In addition to mold, these contaminants can include various bacteria, viruses, animal dander, cat saliva, cockroach particles, pollen and dust mites just to name a few. The sources of these contaminants are varied as well and include plants, animals, and humans. Contaminated air handling systems can spread these biologicals throughout a home.

The health consequences of these air pollutants are individual; the symptoms experienced will depend on the particular pollutant that is the aggravating contaminate. For example, if an individual is exposed to a common cold virus, the symptoms will be those of a common cold. In the case of exposure to dog dander, pollen and cockroach particles, a wide range of allergic reactions may result. If the contaminate is Legionella pneumophila or Legionalla longbeachae, several of many bacteria commonly found in the environment, the symptoms manifested will be those associated with pneumonia. In other words, different pollutants cause different adverse health effects.

Purifying Your Indoor Air
One of the best ways to clean your indoor air is to use an air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air-filter) filter. This filter is highly efficient at removing many different particles such as dander, dust, pollen, mold spores and cockroach particles. The HEPA filter is 99.97% effective at removing 0.3 microns or larger particles from the air. (A micron is 100 times smaller than a human hair and not visible to the naked eye.) Of course, keeping your house clean and free of dust and dirt is an important first step.

Ventilation, either natural or mechanical, is also an essential step in providing acceptable indoor air. Because mechanical ventilation, including air exchange and distribution, is a fairly complicated process, it is best for consumers to consult with an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) specialist. This specialist will also be able to asist you in determining humidity and temperature levels, two factors that influence indoor air quality.

Room air purifiers with HEPA filters work well, especially if the problem is confined to one or two rooms.

VOCs and formaldehyde vapors in indoor air are best controlled by reducing the use of the products that contain them. If you must use these products, proper ventilation is an absolute necessity.

Like VOC contaminates, it is easier to prevent carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide gases from polluting the air than it is to remove them after the fact. The sources for both these gases are usually faulty combustion equipment; therefore, prevention is aimed at properly maintaining and adjusting these systems. The EPA offers the following suggestions:

• “Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
• Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
• Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
• Do not idle the car inside garage.”
• Install a carbon monoxide detection device as an additional precaution.

The process for ridding your indoor air of radon is unlike any of the foregoing solutions to air pollution because radon cannot be reduced by limiting the products you use or by filtering your air with a HEPA filter. All homes should be tested for radon and if the level exceeds EPA or state guidelines, remediation will be required in some states and strongly suggested in others. No amount of radon is truly safe because it is a proven carcinogen. Radon levels can be tested by concerned property owners or by professionals.

Radon testing kits are widely available, inexpensive and easy to use. You should test your own home with a radon kit every 3-4 years because radon levels can rise or fall, depending on geological and weather conditions. If your home test indicates a level higher than the standard, you should have it retested by a professional. If the professional radon tester confirms your worst fear, then you will need to install a radon remediation system. These systems usually cost around $1200, including installation, depending on where you live. The good news is that a radon remediation system is a one-time investment and inexpensive to maintain. If it functions as it should, you will always be protected from radon as opposed to being at the mercy of weather and geological forces from year to year. The entire system is as wide as a plastic water pipe, makes no noise, takes up little room and is usually sited near a wall in the corner of the lowest level of your home.

Large cities have been battling smog for decades and even though the individual home owner can do little to regulate some of the sources of pollution like car emissions, power plants, industrial boilers and refineries, everyone can help by raising public awareness and by sharing concerns with local and national public officials You can also do your part by supporting those who are active in trying to reduce smog and by maintaining your car in good running order to minimize noxious emissions. If you live in a high smog area, pay attention to the daily smog level reports and close all windows and doors on high level days.

When it comes to the air that you breathe, it can be a matter of life and death. Pay attention to its quality, identify any problematic pollutants and seek the advice of a specialist for help in making the air that you breathe as pure as possible. Then take a deep breath!