Health Effects and Sources of Indoor Air Pollution. Part I

Abstract

Since the early 1970s, the health effects of indoor air pollution have been investigated with increasing intensity. Consequently, a large body of literature is now available on diverse aspects of indoor air pollution: sources, concentrations, health effects, engineering, and policy. This review begins with a review of the principal pollutants found in indoor environments and their sources. Subsequently, exposure to indoor air pollutants and health effects are considered, with an emphasis on those indoor air quality problems of greatest concern at present: passive exposure to tobacco smoke, nitrogen dioxide from gas-fueled cooking stoves, formaldehyde exposure, radon daughter exposure, and the diverse health problems encountered by workers in newer sealed office buildings. The review concludes by briefly addressing assessment of indoor air quality, control technology, research needs, and clinical implications.

Nitrous acid, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone concentrations in residential environments.

“…Ninety-three percent of the valley homes had an air conditioner in contrast to only one mountain home. Associations between house characteristics and indoor/outdoor ratios for NO 2 and O 3 are shown in Table 4. The indoor/outdoor ratios for HONO were not evaluated because only 14 houses had both indoor and outdoor HONO levels above the detection limit.…”

“…In April and May 1996, HONO, NO 2 and O 3 concentrations were measured in 119 homes. The homes were recruited from an ongoing 12-month study measuring indoor and outdoor concentrations and personal exposure to ozone of elementary school-age children in two communities in Southern California.…”

“…NO 2 is produced by oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen during high-temperature fuel combustion. The oxidant properties of NO 2 can cause adverse health effects, including throat irritation, cough, and dyspnea (2). Several epidemiologic investigations have found an association between NO 2 exposure increased by indoor combustion sources and adverse respiratory health effects (1).…”

Overview of nitrogen dioxide effects on the lung with emphasis on military relevance

“…jii Another source of NO 2 pollution that has gained recognition is the use of gas-fired appliances in the home which may produce NO 2 levels greater than 4 ppm (Samet et al, 1987;Leaderer et al, 1984). Studies which exposed humans to ambient levels of 0.5-7.5 ppm for 10 min to 2 h have demonstrated increases in airway resistance, decreases in lung compliance and diffusing capacity, but only at the higher concentrations (>2.5 ppm) (Von Neiding et al, 1970;Beil and Ulmer, 1976;Abe, 1976).…”

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“…In the mid-twentieth century, striking increases in mortality followed a series of severe air pollution incidents in the US and Europe [2,3]. By the early 1990s, time series studies [4][5][6][7] of single locations have demonstrated that even lower air pollution levels increase the rates of mortality and morbidity throughout the developed countries. Air pollution is due to a heterogeneous mixture of gaseous and particulate components.…”