| | | Indoor/Outdoor Pollution and Health

From WikiVerde

Pollution can be a factor on the inside as well as the outside. It can also affect our health in ways we are not even aware of. Most of us are knowledgeable, even if only to a small degree, on outside pollution but it can also come from our own homes.

What Causes Indoor Air Pollution

Inside air contains ingredients that come from the outside. The pollutants in the air are made worse by the humidity in a structure, the temperature, and the microbes in the atmosphere.

The main factor causing pollution inside a home or structure is poor ventilation. Proper ventilation is needed to remove bad substances in the air, and purify it so it is useful and breathable for humans.

The better the system used for ventilation, the better quality of air produced for breathing. When a ventilation system or filters are clogged, the amount of air circulatig is low, resulting in poor air quality.

Too Many Energy Efficient Techniques

The beginning of the 1970’s brought about changes in the way buildings were structured. They were made to be more airtight to save energy, but this caused the air flowing through a home to be of poor quality. It did not allow pollutants in the air a way out of the home or business. The higher the pollutants, the higher the chance for health problems to arise.

Health Problems From Poor Inside Air

Short Term

The bad air inside a structure can begin to effect humans in this environment. The first sign the levels are too high is the need for people to go outside because of the lack of fresh air. It can also bring about sore throats, coughing, dry eyes, and a feeling of lethargy (being sluggish or tired). Headaches and skin irritations may show also.

Long Term

Taking into consideration the age of the person, the problems they may have had before being exposed to the air, and the amount of time inside the contaminated area, the more chronic the symptoms become. These may include allergies, pneumonia, asthma, rhinitis, sneezing, coughing, fever, dizziness, and shortness of breath. It can also be associated with chicken pox, measles, and the flu as these are airborne diseases.

Bad air quality in workplaces will cause a lower work performance, more sick days for employees, inability to concentrate on tasks, and general illnesses.

Cleaning Inside Air

The best thing to do for poor air quality inside is to increase ventilation. The more air flow the better. Dehumidifiers are also an asset as they remove the pollutants from the air and reduce the growth of bacteria. Smoking inside is a major source of bad air and needs to be stopped. Removal of lead and asbestos will also be a major improvement. In business settings, machines like copying machines and bathrooms need to be ventilated in such a way that the toxic air is not allowed to travel to other areas.

Outdoor Air Pollution

Along with the creation of new ways to make life easier brings the unfortunate supply of smog and toxic gases from the manufacturing and processing plants used in this process. Burning coal is one of the major threats to the air outside. The sulfur dioxide in gases from burnt coal and small particles can settle into the airways and lungs of those living where there is polluted air. New EPA regulations and improved ways to produce the products we need have lowered this problem considerably.

Contributing Factors – Vehicle Exhaust

More than ever the rising problem with outside air pollution is coming from automobile exhaust. To prove the existence of the pollution in the air, take a look at the smog on a sunny day. The sunlight combined with the unused organic ingredients and nitrogen in gasoline is what creates the smog. Nitrogen dioxide in the smog will make it appear brown.

On winter days when the air seems to be dreary and darker than usual, the particles in the air are to blame. The particles come from the dirt on the roads, smoke, vehicle exhaust, pollen, grass, and other natural ingredients. They are tiny enough to get into the lungs of a human.

Outside Pollution – Health Risks

Smog does not affect the body as badly as it once did. It can be a major cause of irritated and inflamed lungs and airways, but most of the time, these problems will reverse themselves as the air clears and the pollutants are removed. The more pollution an individual is exposed to, the more problems they will enounter. Asthma, bronchitis, and reduced lung function can begin to appear. At worst, emphysema may result from breathing in toxins for an extended period of time. Levels are low enough not to cause lung cancer in humans.

Plants And Animals – Damage To Their Delicate Processes

Pollution on the outside seems to do more damage to plants and animals than it does to humans. The vegetation of the earth has a more delicate process of taking in outside air and has not evolved to filter out the toxins. Animals also seem to be affected by the toxins to a more severe degree in the respiratory system.

Community Involvement In Reducing Pollution

Communities can ensure they are made healthier by making sure their homes are equipped with proper ventilation and filtering equipment. Individuals that smoke can stop so the air is not polluted with carbon dioxide from the cigarettes.

On a larger scale, lowering the use of vehicles will reduce the amount of exhaust into the air. Carpooling and bicycle riding is not only an efficient way to protect the environment, but is also a great form of exercise. One could also use public transportation or try walking to and from work if it is close.