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In addition to
radon and
mold,
a number of other indoor air pollutants can be found in most
homes. This page will give some general information and
helpful links about some of the other common indoor air
pollutants. If you need any further information, contact
Deb Kilbarger, RS of the Fairfield Department of Health at
740-652-2800.
Lead
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that has long been
considered a harmful pollutant in the environment. The US
EPA lists lead-based paint, contaminated soil, dust and drinking
water as the most common sources of lead.
Lead affects many systems within the human body, including the
central nervous system, kidneys, and red blood cells.
Higher levels of lead in the body can lead to convulsions, coma,
or even death. In 1991, the Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services named lead "the number one threat to
the health of children in the United States." Children are
more vulnerable because the lead is more easily absorbed into
growing bodies. The tissues of children are more sensitive
to the damaging effects of lead to the body.
There are two primary sources of lead in the home: lead based
paint and lead-contaminated dust. Many older homes in the
United States contain lead based paint. If you are
renovating an older home with lead-based paint, consult a
professional on proper removal before you begin any work.
Mini blinds manufactured in Mexico and Asia also contain lead.
Over time, the mini blinds break down due to exposure from
sunlight. As the blinds break down, a layer of
lead-contaminated dust forms on the blinds. This
lead-contaminated dust can be hazardous to a child if
accidentally ingested directly or indirectly.
Helpful Links:
US EPA:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/lead.html
US EPA
pamplet
Protect Your Family from Lead:
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead
Consumer Product Safety Commission - CPSC
Warns About Hazards of "Do lt Yourself" Removal of Lead
Based Paint:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5055.html
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from both solid
and liquid products in the home. VOCs contain chemicals
that can have both short-term and long term effects on your
health. There are literally thousands of products
available that emit VOCs to the environment. The
concentration of VOCs inside the home can be up to ten times
higher than outdoors. Some common products known to emit
VOCs are paints, paint strippers, pesticides, cleaning supplies,
aerosol sprays, air fresheners, copiers, printers, correction
fluid, glues, adhesives, permanent markers, and dry cleaned
clothing. Potential health effects from VOCs
include eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; nausea;
loss of coordination; and liver, kidney and central nervous
system damage. As is the case with most pollutants, the
degree of health effects varies based on the concentration of
exposure levels and the amount of time exposed.
More information is available on the US EPA web page for Indoor
Air:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
Asbestos Asbestos is a
mineral fiber that was widely used in the 20th century for
various building materials as a fire retardant. The widest
use of asbestos in buildings was 1940-1975. Asbestos can
typically be found in homes in old insulation, fire-proofing,
acoustical material, or floor tiles. When asbestos
containing materials are disturbed or deteriorate, microscopic
asbestos fibers are released into the air.While there are no
immediate health effects from exposure to asbestos, there is a
higher risk of chest and abdominal cancers, as well as lung
disease. Asbestos fibers small enough to be inhaled can
accumulate in the lungs and lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma,
and asbestosis. Most people that experience
asbestos-related illness have had occupational exposure to
elevated levels of asbestos. While current
regulations ban or restrict the use of asbestos in new
buildings, many older buildings still contain asbestos. If
you have asbestos in your home, it is best to leave it alone if
it will not be disturbed. Material in good condition will
not release asbestos fibers if they are not disturbed. If
the asbestos in your home must be removed, it must be done by a
qualified professional contractor that is certified for asbestos
removal.
Helpful Links US
EPA Indoor Air Quality - Asbestos web page:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asbestos.html
US EPA Asbestos Pollution home page:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/
Environmental Information Association - Asbestos Fact Sheet:
http://www.eia-usa.org/fact-sheets/asbestos/
Asbestos in Your Home:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/ashome.html
The ABCs of Asbestos in Schools:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/abcsfinal.pdf
OSHA Asbestos web page:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/index.html
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