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Indoor Air Pollution

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Impacts on health

27 %

18 %

Stroke

27 %

Ischaemic heart disease

20 %

8 %

Lung Cancer

Impacts on Health

Pneumonia

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

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Shape

3.8 Million

death every year

Occur as a result of household( Indoor ) exposure to smoke from dirty cookstoves and fuels

Particulate Matter 

(PM 10 and PM 2.5)

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squares-stack

Solid

water-drop

Liquid

PM is the complex mixture of solid and liquid particles that are suspended in the air

PM 10

PM 2.5

Particles of 2 µm in diameter ( PM 2.5 ) are considered the most harmful because their size means they can enter our bloodstream and can even reach the brain.

Particles up to 10 µm in diameter (PM 10) enter our airways and can settle in the lungs , where they can cause serious illnesses.

EFFECTS

  • Premature death in people with heart or lung  disease

  • Non - Fatal heart Attacks

  • Irregular heartbeats

  • Aggravated lung function

  • Increase respiratory symptoms, suchs irritation of the airways ,cough or shortness of breath.

  • Around 2.6 billion people still cook using solid fuels (such as wood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal, and dung) and kerosene in open fires and inefficient stoves. Most of these people are poor and live in low- and middle-income countries.

  • Around 2.6 billion people cook using polluting open fires or simple stoves fuelled by kerosene, biomass (wood, animal dung and crop waste) and coal.

  • Household air pollution causes noncommunicable diseases including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

Ozone (O3)

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Ozone is a gas that forms both in the upper layer of the atmosphere (the stratosphere) and in the lower layer (the troposphere). In the stratosphere, ozone protects life on earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. In the lower layer, however, it is an 
air pollutant that is harmful to human health and ecosystems.

EFFECTS

  • Breathing problems

  • Trigger Asthma

  • Reduce lung function and cause lung disease

  • Exposure to premature death, heart attacks, strokes and possible reproductive and developmental disorders

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

SO2 Icon

SO2 is a colourless gas with a strong odour. It is produced from the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal and diesel) and the smelting of mineral ores that contain sulfur. This includes the fuels used for domestic heating, power generation and motor vehicles. There are also natural sources of SO2, such as volcanoes and geothermal activity.

EFFECTS

  • Affect the respiratory system and the functions of the lungs, as well as causing eye irritation

  • Coughing, asthma and chronic bronchitis

  • It also makes people more prone to respiratory tract infections.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

CO is an odourless, colourless gas that can cause death. It is produced when fuels like natural gas, propane gas, gasoline, oil, kerosene, wood or coal are burned.

CO Icon

EFFECTS

  • Early signs of exposure to low concentrations of CO include mild headaches and shortness of breath during moderate exercise.

  • flu-like symptoms, including severe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, confusion, irritability, and confused thinking, impaired memory and coordination.

  • When a person inhales CO, the toxic gas enters the bloodstream and prevents oxygen from entering the body, which can cause tissue damage and lead to death.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

NO2 Icon

NO2 is the main source of nitrate aerosols, which account for a large proportion of PM2,5 and, in the presence of ultraviolet light, of ozone.

The main sources of anthropogenic NO2 emissions are combustion processes (heating, power generation, and engines in vehicles and ships).

EFFECTS

  • In high concentrations for short periods of time, it is a toxic gas that causes significant inflammation of the airways.

  • Similarly, symptoms of bronchitis in asthmatic children increase following prolonged exposure to NO2. Reduced lung function development is also linked to high concentrations of NO230.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs Icon

VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. These have a high vapour pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are chemicals used in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants.

Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to 10 times higher) than outdoors.

0.3 mg /m3

0.3 to 0.5 mg/m3

LOW

ACCEPTABLE

0.5 to 1. mg/m3

1 to 3 mg/m3

MARGINAL

HIGH

Painting a Room

Disinfecting a 
Bathroom

Automative Garage 
Fumes

Spraying Pesticides Inside

EFFECTS

  • VOCs can have short-and long-term adverse effects on a person’s health.

  • This can result in mood changes, slurred speech, vision problems, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, and headaches.

  • In severe cases, there may be changes in breathing and heart rate, balance problems, numbness, and unconsciousness.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)

​Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)

HFC's are a group of industrial chemicals primarily used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, insulating foams, and aerosol propellants, but also to a lesser extent as solvents and for fire protection.

They remain in the atmosphere for between 15 and 29 years.

EFFECTS

  • Inhaling HFC can cause problems such as respiratory distress, kidney and liver disease, headaches, seizures, and even disturbed heart rhythms.

  • In extreme cases, it can lead to suffocation and death.

  • Skin contact with HFC can cause irritation or dermatitis, while ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and other digestive problems.

Black Carbon

BLACK CARBON

Black Carbon is a particle with the potential to contribute significantly to global warming. It remains in the atmosphere for up to two weeks. Black carbon and other emissions produced by the combustion process contribute to the formation of particulate matter (PM2.5).

EFFECTS

  • Black carbon has been linked to a variety of health impacts including premature death in adults with heart or lung disease, strokes, heart attacks, chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, aggravated asthma and other cardiorespiratory symptoms.

POLLUTANTS AND THEIR HEALTH EFFECTS

Paint strippers

and other solvents

Paint Bucket Icon

Wood preservatives

colonial-door

Aerosol sprays

wiping-sprayer-tool

Cleansers and disinfectants

clean

Cookings

fuel

Moth repellents and

air fresheners

mosquito-repellent

Pesticide

pesticide

Building materials and furnishings

construction

POLLUTANTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

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CO

Carbon Monoxide

  • Heart & Respiratory Disease & Convulsion

  • Breathing Problem

  • Asphyxia

NO2

Nitrogendioxide

  • Affect Lung Functions  & Cardiac Disorder

  • Pulmonary Firbrosis

  • Pheumonia

  • Asthma

CO2

Corbondioxide

  • Inflammation

  • Kidney Calcification

  • Bone Demineralization

  • Endothelial Dys Function

O3

Ozone

  • Asthma

  • Emphysema

  • Chronic Bronchitis

  • COPD

  • Lung cancer

VOCs

Volatile Organic Compound

  • Central Nervous System & Carcinogenic

  • Cancer  (Leukemia & lymphoma)

SO2

Sulphar Dioxide

  • Affect  Lung Function

  • Asthma

  • Mucous Secretion

  • Chronic Bronchitis

PM

Particulate Matter

  • Asthma

  • Emphysema

  • COPD

  • Chronic Bronchitis

  • Lung cancer

Pollutants & Impacts

PAINTS, PAINT STRIPPERS AND OTHER SOLVENTS

PAINTS, PAINT STRIPPERS AND OTHER SOLVENTS

POLLUTANTS:

  • VOCs like formaldehyde and benzene etc.,

  • Particle pollution (dust).

IMPACT:

  • These pollutants can react with ground level ozone and cause respiratory disorders.

  • Exposure to benzene may cause acute myeloid leukaemia.

WOOD PRESERVATIVE

WOOD PRESERVATIVE

POLLUTANTS:

  • Chromium

  • Arsenic

  • Dioxins

  • VOCs like methylene chloride, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene etc.

IMPACT:

  • Exposure to trichloroethylene causes leukemia in children.

  • Pregnant women who are exposed to Xylene may experience birth
    abnormalities and neurological problems.

AEROSOL SPRAYS

AEROSOL SPRAYS

POLLUTANTS:

VOCs, Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen Oxide, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

IMPACT:

  • CFCs destroy the ozone layer and contribute to global warming, raising the carbon footprint.

CLEANERS AND DISINFECTANT

CLEANERS AND DISINFECTANT

POLLUTANTS:

  • VOCs (formaldehyde), Particulate Matter, Ozone, ammonia.

  • Hypochlorite and chlorine beach.

  • Mixing chlorine or chlorine containing product with any ammonia containing cleaners release chlorine gases this can lead to chronic breathing problems and even death.

IMPACT:

  • These pollutants can react with ground level ozone and cause respiratory disorders.

  • Exposure to benzene may cause acute myeloid leukaemia.

COOKING
MOTH REPELLENTS AND AIR FRESHENERS

COOKING

POLLUTANTS:

  • VOCs like formaldehyde, benzene etc.

  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  • Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)

  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

  • Carbon Dioxide

  • Nitrogen Dioxide(SO2)

  • PM 2.5, PM 10, and

  • Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

IMPACT:

  • Risk of  respiratory disorders.

  • Exposure to benzene may cause acute myeloid leukemia.

MOTH REPELLENTS AND AIR FRESHENERS:

POLLUTANTS:

  • p-Dichlorobenzene (p-DCB),

  • Naphthalene

  • Formaldehyde.

IMPACT:

  • Formaldehyde cause sensory irritation.

PESTICIDES

PESTICIDES

POLLUTANTS:

  • VOCs

  • Ozone.

IMPACT:

  • Exposure to pesticides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat.

  • It may also cause cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and birth defects.

  • Chronic exposure to some pesticides can result in damage to the liver, kidneys, endocrine, and nervous systems.

BUILDING MATERIAL AND FURNISHERS

BUILDING MATERIAL AND FURNISHERS

POLLUTANTS:

  • VOCs like Benzene, Formaldehyde, Asbestos etc.,

  • Radon

  • NO2

  • CO2

  • PM2.5

  • Microbes, and

  • Carbon Monoxide.

IMPACT:

  • The level of benzene in new buildings is high and the range is up to 30μg/m3 . Exposure to high level can cause cancer

INDOOR POLLUTION LEVEL IN TOP COUNTRIES

INDIA

INDIA

INDOOR BENZENE LEVEL:

Houses in India that used kerosene stoves were reported as having average indoor levels of 103 μg/m3. Another study performed in India reported indoor concentrations of 10.7 μg/m3

INDOOR BENZENE LEVEL:

  • 2.1 mg/m3

USA

INDOOR BENZENE LEVEL:

  • Daily benzene intake from ambient and indoor air has been calculated to range between 180 and 1300 μg/day. The average intake in the United States is 320 μg/day.

  • Indoor levels measured in the United States are in the range of 2.6–5.8 μg/m3.

USA

INDOOR CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL

  • Indoor CO level is 60-115 mg/m3 (peak)

  • In summer: 0.2 mg/m3

  • In winter: 0.5 mg/m3

  • In spring: 0.3 mg/m3

  • In autumn: 0.5 mg/m3

CANADA

BENZENE EXPOSURE LEVEL

CANADA

The average daily intake for an adult in Canada was estimated to be 14 μg/day from ambient air, 140 μg/day from indoor air and 49 μg/day from car-related activities.

INDOOR FORMALDEHYDE LEVEL

The indoor concentration of formaldehyde ranged from 9.6 to 90 μg/m3 , with a geometric mean of 29.5 mg/m3 .

UK

BENZENE EXPOSURE LEVEL

UK

A study carried out in the United Kingdom estimated a daily dose of benzene of 70–75 μg/day for rural non-smokers and 89–95 μg/day for urban non-smokers. The daily dose rise to 116–122 μg/day for urban passive smokers and to over 500 μg/day for urban smokers. Children’s daily exposures were estimated to be 15–20 μg/day and 30–40 μg/day for infants and children, respectively, while exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) led to a daily exposure of 26 μg/day and 59 μg/day for a urban infants and children, respectively.

NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVEL

  • In the United Kingdom, studies showed indoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in homes without gas stoves ranging from 13 to 40 μg/m3 and in the presence of gas stoves from 25 to 70 μg/m3.

EUROPE COUNTRIES

BENZENE EXPOSURE LEVEL

EUROPE
  • A European study estimated a daily inhaled benzene dose of 102 μg/day, where 36%, 32%, 2% and 30% of the exposure was attributed to indoor home, indoor work, outdoor and in transit, respectively. In some Asian cities, where high levels of benzene were reported in homes and offices, the daily inhalation dose of benzene from indoor sources can be as high as 480–580 μg/day.

INDOOR FORMALDEHYDE LEVEL

  • The average air concentration of formaldehyde in homes at Helsinki was 41.4 μg/m3 (range 8.1–77.8 μg/m3 ) and at the workplace 15 μg/m3 , whereas average personal exposure was 26.8 μg/m3.

  • Formaldehyde concentrations in offices in public buildings (n = 94) in Italy , varied from 3 to 33 μg/m3 .

NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVEL

  • Maximum levels associated with the use of gas appliances (gas cooking and heating) in European homes are in the range 180–2500 μg/m3.

GERMANY

INDOOR NAPTHALENE LEVEL

GERMANY

In 216 classrooms (76%), the naphthalene concentration was below the detection limit of 1 μg/m3 . 

CHINA

CHINA

INDOOR BENZENE LEVEL

Higher concentrations have been reported from some Chinese cities, with levels as high as 57.4 μg/m3 in Guanzhou.

JAPAN

JAPAN

INDOOR BENZENE LEVEL

The arithmetic mean values in Japan is ranging from 0.7 to 7.2 μg/m3

INDOOR FORMALDEHYDE LEVEL

The maximum concentration of indoor formaldehyde level in japan is 300 μg/m3 

SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE

INDOOR BENZENE LEVEL

Indoor benzene concentration of buildings in Singapore were 18.4–35.4 μg/m3.

KOREA

KOREA

INDOOR BENZENE LEVEL

The indoor benzene level in Korea is  23–35 μg/m3

INDOOR CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL

  • In summer: 0.5 mg/m3

  • In Winter: 0.9 mg/m3

SWITZERLAND

SWITZERLAND

CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL

The arithmetic mean value of carbon monoxide level in Switzerland is 3.5 mg/m3

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA

NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVEL

The overall median level of NO2 in Australia is 6ppb to 128ppb.

SPANISH

SPAIN

NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVEL

In a Spanish study of 340 dwellings carried out between 1996 and 1999, average annual indoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide did not vary significantly, ranging from 12.5 to 14.7 μg/m3 .

ITALY

ITALY

NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVEL

Annual ambient nitrogen dioxide concentrations ranged from 4.9 μg/m3 in Reykjavik to 72 μg/m3 in Turin.

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HOW TO PURIFY  INDOOR AIR?

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