INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

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INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
At risk a.       smokers b.      infants and
children lt 5 c.       old, sick and
pregnant d.      those with respiratory/ heart
problems e.       factory workers  
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SICK BUILDING SYNDROME
Sick Building Syndrome is a condition where a
person experiences fatigue, headaches, dizziness,
nausea, and flu-like symptoms due to poor indoor
air quality. Causes cigarette smoke 2.     
formaldehyde 3.      Asbestos 4.     
Radon-222  Indoor air pollutants are spread
throughout a building through air ventilation
systems and ceiling fibers.
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CIGARETTE SMOKE
1.Cigarette Smoke (first hand or second hand)
CO gas from smoking reacts with hemoglobin in RBC
and decreases oxygen in the blood stream. This
results in impaired perception and thinking,
slower reflexes, headaches, drowsiness,
dizziness, and nausea. People who have heart
disease are at risk of having heart attacks.
People with respiratory sensitivity or disease
can experience bronchitis, emphysema, and anemia.
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FORMALDEHYDE

• Formaldehyde emitted from common building
  materials. Formaldehyde exposure has caused
  cancer in laboratory rats. Can also cause
  dizziness, nausea and headaches.

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ASBESTOS

• Asbestos A silicate mineral (amphibole) used in
  building materials for fireproofing. ONLY
  dangerous when it is airborne. The asbestos
  shard-like fibers cause lung cancer and
  mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of the chest
  cavity).

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ASBESTOS

• -         Between 1900-1984 asbestos was sprayed
  on ceilings and walls of schools and other public
  and private buildings for fireproofing,
  soundproofing, insulation of heaters and pipes,
  and for wall and ceiling decorations.
• -         EPA banned asbestos in 1984.
• -         1991 The Appellate court overturned the
  89 EPA ban and Canada and the USA are still
  producing products made of asbestos! BIG
  BUSINESS!!
• -         In public buildings such as schools it
  is better to seal the asbestos than to remove it.
  Once it is disturbed, it becomes airborne.

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ASBESTOS

• 1998 Chemist invented a foam (sealant) that
  initiates a chemical reaction that binds the
  asbestos minerals together to form a hard,
  nontoxic material that acts as a fireproofing
  material.

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LUNG DAMAGE
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MESOTHELIOMA
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RADON-222 GAS

• Radon-222 Gas (odorless, tasteless, colorless).
  It is a product from the radioactive decay of
  uranium 238 which is present in granite and shale
  bedrock.

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RADON-222-GAS

• -         Harmless when it seeps upward through
  the soil to the atmosphere and dissipates.
• -         Harmful when it seeps upward through
  the soil into basements through foundation cracks
  or into the groundwater. It can build to
  dangerous levels, cling to particles and become
  lodged in lung tissue.
• -         If inhales, lung tissue is exposed to
  ionizing radiation from alpha particles and may
  produce lung cancer.
• -         To test for radon-222 purchase a
  home-testing kit for 20-100 dollars.
• -         New Jersey high area for Radon-222
  due to much bedrock of granite and shale.
• -         Long Island no bedrock no radon-222!

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RADON TESTING
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How Can We Reduce Indoor Air Pollution?

• Ban smoking in public places ongoing
• Cover ceiling tiles and AC ducts
• stricter formaldehyde emission standards for
  furniture and building materials
• prevent radon-222 infiltration by better
  construction and planning techniques
• use office machines in well ventilated areas
• use less harmful substances such as paints,
  varnishes and cleaners).

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How Can Laws Be Improved? 

• Pollution prevention is best!
• Increase fuel efficiency standards for indoor
  equipment.
• Campaign Finance Reform!

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IS THIS AGE APPROPRIATE?