Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor air pollution can be an even greater health threat than outdoor air pollution. Common pollutants often

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1 Indoor Air Pollution Indoor air pollution can be an even greater health threat than outdoor air pollution. Common pollutants often.

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3 Smoke 4 Most Hazardous Indoor Pollutants Formaldehyde: Asbestos: Outgassed from building materials Causes headaches, sore throat and eye irritation Can cause breathing difficulties, lung cancer Removal can release fibers Radon -222

4 Sick Building Syndrome If or more of a building s occupants suffer health effects that improve when they leave the building, a building is considered to have sick building syndrome.

5 Indoor Air Pollution

6 Discuss with your table partner: What are methods that can be used to reduce the amount of indoor air pollutant?. One strategy that could lessen certain indoor air pollutants is phytoremediation (a type of bioremediation). Discuss what this term means. Phyto = Remediation = Phytoremediation:.

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9 Radon-222 Radon 222 gas is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring gas that is a breakdown product of uranium 238. Found in small amounts in most soil. Radon gas causes lung cancer & other health problems. can prevent accumulation of this dangerous gas.

10 Respiratory System Body defenses against particulate matter: Nose hairs Mucus that traps particulate matter Not very effective against fine particulate matter.

11 Video on Indoor Air Pollutants 834

12 Common Health Effects of Air Pollutants Lung Cancer Asthma: typically an allergic reaction causing muscle spasms in bronchial walls and leading to shortness of breath Chronic Bronchitis: persistent swelling of bronchi and bronchioles, causing mucus build-up, coughing and shortness of breath Recent studies show that air pollution exposure linked to greater risk of heart attacks, stroke and cognitive deterioration including dementia.

13 Normal Human Lungs and the Lungs of a Person Who Died of Emphysema

14 Health Effects of Air Pollutants carbon monoxide (CO): particulates: long term exposure contributes to lung disease & cancer, aggravates bronchitis & asthma; sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ): causes constriction of airways & can cause bronchitis; nitrogen oxides (especially NO 2 ): irritate lungs, cause conditions similar to bronchitis & emphysema; volatile organics (& toxic particulates): ozone: causes coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, & eye, nose, & throat irritation.

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16 Preventing & Reducing Air Pollution A combination of laws, technologies, & responsible practices can be used to prevent & clean up air pollution.

17 Air Pollution Legislation The Clean Air Acts of 1970, 1977, & 1990 require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). NAAQS apply to: suspended particulate matter sulfur oxides carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides (NOx) ozone lead Prevention of significant deterioration is a policy of the Clean Air Act, regions with air quality cleaner than that required by NAAQS are not allowed to deteriorate;

18 Sulfur Dioxide Cap and Trade In 1990, the Clean Air Act created a cap and trade program for sulfur dioxide. This mainly affects coal power plants. A cap is set on emissions of sulfur dioxide.

19 Effectiveness of Clean Air Laws Between 1970 & 1997 levels of six major air pollutants decreased by 31%; A 1996 study by the EPA shows that benefits of the Clean Air Act greatly exceed costs: $436 billion spent, health benefits of $2.7 to $14.6 trillion; However, EPA estimates that 107 million Americans live in areas that exceed at least one outdoor air pollution standard. Nitrogen dioxide levels have increased slightly, primarily from automobiles;

20 Premature Deaths from Air Pollution in the U.S.

21 Video: Air Pollution in US cities Down but Not Out

22 Technologies for Preventing & Reducing Air Pollution Four commonly used methods for removing particulates from the exhaust gases of power & industrial plants. All produce hazardous waste that must be disposed.

23 Reducing Air Pollution from Vehicles Catalytic Converters reduce CO and hydrocarbon emissions: O 2 from air is passed over a catalyst, which converts Mandatory testing for older vehicles which may be more polluting.

24 Preventing & Reducing Air Pollution How can we protect the atmosphere? Put more emphasis on pollution prevention Improve energy efficiency Reduce use of fossil fuels (especially coal & oil) Increase use of renewable energy Slow population growth Integrate air pollution prevention with other policies Regulate air quality for entire regions Tax the production of air pollution Transfer appropriate technologies to developing countries.

25 SOLUTIONS Prevention Clean ceiling tiles and line AC ducts to prevent release of mineral fibers Indoor Air Pollution Ban smoking or limit it to well-ventilated areas Cleanup or Dilution Use adjustable fresh air vents for work spaces Increase intake of outside air Set stricter formaldehyde emissions standards for carpet, furniture, and building materials Prevent radon infiltration Use office machines in well-ventilated areas Use less polluting substitutes for harmful cleaning agents, paints, and other products Change air more frequently Circulate a building s air through rooftop greenhouses Use efficient venting systems for woodburning stoves Use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gas