Indoor air pollution and The Health Risks
Today my friends I would like to discuss “Indoor Air Pollution” and how it affects our health and what it is all about. I give you some suggestions on how to help protect you and your family against the pollutes that invade our homes and bodies everyday. Air pollution exists in our owe homes and almost everywhere you go, such as in your local mall (where it is extremely polluted). I believe this is a subject of vital importance. We need to protect our families against the many harmful effects of the toxic air that we breathe and we certainly to need to breathe to substance life. So lets see if we can figure out some ways to make it safer for our families and the world around us.
Many times when people think about air pollution what comes to mind is outdoor air pollution such as smog, acid rain, CFC’s, but indoor air pollution is everywhere. It affects our health in so many ways such as the extreme increase in asthma and allergies, especially in children. Every year more and more people are affected by chemicals substances that are present in the air inside buildings.
Many people spend large portion of time indoors according to the experts as much as 80-90% of their lives. We work, play, study, eat, drink and sleep in enclosed environments where air circulation may be restricted. For these reasons, some experts feel that more people suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than outdoor pollution. Indoor air is becoming an increasingly more concerning health hazard than outdoor air.
A great deal of research on pollution is being conducted at laboratories and universities. The goals of the research are to find solutions and to educate the public about the problem. Two places where this type of work is being done are LBNL and the University of California, Berkeley.
What is Air Pollution:
Air pollution chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living things and cause damage to the natural environment, indoor or outdoor.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a term referring to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. IAQ can be affected by microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria), gases (including carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds. What are Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that slowly off-gas and evaporate into the air such as formaldehyde, which is in paint. Many VOCs are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the environment. VOCs are typically not acutely toxic, but instead have compounding long-term health effects.
Air pollution can affect our health in many ways with both short-term and long-term effects. Different individuals are affected by air pollution in many ways. Of course individuals who are much more sensitive to pollutants can have much more severe effects. Young children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution and people with health problems such as asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease also suffer from toxic polluted air.
Indoor air pollution and urban air quality are listed as two of the world’s worst pollution problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World’s Worst Polluted Places report. The report identifies and quantifies the impacts of the most damaging toxic pollutants.
The 2010 World’ s Worst Pollution Problems Report identifies the Top Six Toxic Threats, and describes the scope and health impacts of each pollutant. The report is the fifth in a series of annual pollution reports released by Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland.
The global health impact from toxic pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides and radionuclides, is greater than previously thought. Today, more than 100 million people are estimated to be at risk from toxic pollution at levels above international health standards.
Using ventilation to dilute contaminants, filtration, and source control are the primary methods for improving indoor air quality in most building according many other research facilities. Using quality air cleaner and purifiers are essential, especially for those that have allergies, asthma and other respiratory health conditions.
My suggestion from my personal experience with suffering from severe allergies is I have found that the and good quality air purifier and cleaner that cleans the air thoroughly has made a big difference in the air quality in my home. I can tell when I turn it off for just a day that I feel can’t breath as easily and I can smell all sort of odors that this air purifier helps to eliminate. I know that I need to turn it back on and within an hour I can feel the difference. I sleep better, I can function better and do ordinary daily tasks within as much strain. I am not trying to tell you that you must buy this product, but I know that these air purifier have helped me. Air pollution is with all around us and it affects every aspect of our lives. This is just one step to helping your family stay healthy and if you suffer from chronic allergies, asthma, or any respiratory condition I believe it could make a difference in your life as it has mine. It is your decision and your health of you and your family. You need to do what is best for you!
Quote of the Day: “All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives…. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about.”— US EPA
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