Main indoor air pollutants: Difference between revisions

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== Gases ==


=== [[Volatile organic compounds]] ===
=== Inorganic gases ===
Inorganic gaseous air pollutants are a significant group of air contaminants that lack carbon-hydrogen bonds, distinguishing them from organic pollutants.


=== Particulate matter ===
These gases, including ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>), and carbon monoxide (CO), originate from various sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions.
 
=== Organic gases ===
Organic gaseous compounds can be categorized based on their boiling points, which directly relate to their volatility - their tendency to evaporate at room temperature. This causes their different behaviour in indoor air. Also, the health effects can vary depending on the specific compound and its volatility.
 
==== Very volatile organic compounds ====
Very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs) are gases at room temperature and very easily evaporate.
 
Examples:
 
* Formaldehyde (although some sources classify it as a VOC)
* Methane
* Butane
* Propane
* Freons (e.g., chlorodifluoromethane)
 
==== Volatile organic compounds ====
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and are the most commonly referred to group when discussing VOCs in indoor air. VOCs are also mainly gases but they may condense on colder surfaces.
 
They are found in many common household products and building materials, and they can have a significant impact on indoor air quality (IAQ).
 
Examples:
 
* Benzene
* Toluene
* Xylene
* Acetone
* Ethanol
* Isopropanol
* Many components of fragrances and cleaning products
 
==== Semi-volatile organic compounds ====
Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs)  have lower volatility than VOCs and tend to exist both in the gas phase and adsorbed onto surfaces or particles (like dust).
 
Examples:
 
* Phthalates (plasticizers)
* Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) - mostly phased out but can be found in older buildings
* Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
* Some pesticides
* Flame retardants (PBDEs)
 
=== Radon ===
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is formed from the decay of uranium, which is found in rocks and soil throughout the world.
 
Radon gas can seep into homes and buildings through cracks and openings in the foundation, floors, and walls. It can also be released from building materials that contain radium.
 
== Indoor air particles ==
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. These particles vary in size, composition, and origin, and their effects on human health depend on these characteristics.
 
PM is classified by its aerodynamic diameter, which is the size of a unit-density sphere with the same aerodynamic properties as the particle.
 
==== Coarse particles (PM<sub>10</sub>) ====
Coarse particles are inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller.
 
==== Fine particles (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) ====
Fine particles are inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller. Due to their small size, they can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs.
 
==== Ultrafine particles (PM<sub>0.1</sub> ) ====
Ultrafine particles (UFP) are a subset of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 0.1 micrometers. Due to their extremely small size, UFP can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream, raising concerns about their health effects.
 
== Biological agents ==
This category encompasses living organisms and their byproducts that can negatively affect indoor air quality.
 
==== Mold and Fungi ====
These microorganisms thrive in damp or humid indoor environments and can release mycotoxins, which can have carcinogenic, immunotoxic, cytotoxic, and mutagenic effects.
 
==== Bacteria ====
Similar to mold, bacteria can grow in damp conditions and cause health issues.
 
==== Viruses ====
These can be transmitted through the air, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
 
==== Allergens ====
These substances can trigger the immune system, causing allergic reactions. Common indoor allergens include dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.


== Concentration limit values for main air pollutants ==
== Concentration limit values for main air pollutants ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|+
!Categorization
!Pollutant
!Pollutant
!
!Averaging period
!
! colspan="2" |Concentration limit value
!
!Reference
|-
|-
| rowspan="6" |Organic gases
|[[Benzene]]
|[[Benzene]]
|
| -
|
| colspan="2" |no safe level
|
|WHO 2010 <ref name="WHO_2010"></ref>
|-
|-
|[[Naphthalene]]
|[[Naphthalene]]
|
|annual
|
|10
|
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2010 <ref name="WHO_2010"></ref>
|-
|-
|[[Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons]]
|[[Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons]]
|
|
|
| colspan="2" |no safe level
|
|WHO 2010 <ref name="WHO_2010"></ref>
|-
|-
|[[Tetrachloroethylene]]
|[[Tetrachloroethylene]]
|
|annual
|
|250
|
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2010 <ref name="WHO_2010"></ref>
|-
|-
|[[Trichloroethylene]]
|[[Trichloroethylene]]
Line 36: Line 116:
|
|
|
|
|WHO 2010 <ref name="WHO_2010"></ref>
|-
|Formaldehyde
|30-minute
|100
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2010 <ref name="WHO_2010"></ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" |Inorganic gases
|[[O3]]
|8-hour
peak season
|100
60
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2021 <ref name="WHO_2021"></ref>
|-
|SO<sub>2</sub>
|10-minute
24-hour
|500
40
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2021 <ref name="WHO_2021"></ref>
|-
|[[NO2|NO<sub>2</sub>]]
|1-hour
24-hour
annual
|200
25
10
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2021<ref name="WHO_2021"></ref>
|-
|-
|[[PM0.1]]
|[[CO]]
|
|15-minute
|
1-hour
|
 
8-hour
 
24-hour
|100
35
 
10
 
4
|mg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2021 <ref name="WHO_2021"></ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Particulate matter]]
|[[PM2.5]]
|[[PM2.5]]
|
|24-hour
|
annual
|
|15
5
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2021 <ref name="WHO_2021"></ref>
|-
|-
|[[PM10]]
|[[PM10]]
|
|24-hour
|
annual
|
|45
15
|μg/m<sup>3</sup>
|WHO 2021 <ref name="WHO_2021"></ref>
|-
|-
|Radioactive gases
|[[Radon]]
|[[Radon]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[O3]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[NO2]]
|
|
|
|-
|[[CO]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}
|}
== References ==
<references>
<ref name="WHO_2010">{{#lst:Reading List|WHO_2010}}</ref>
<ref name="WHO_2021">{{#lst:Reading List|WHO_2021}}</ref>
</references>

Latest revision as of 10:19, 17 March 2025

Gases

Inorganic gases

Inorganic gaseous air pollutants are a significant group of air contaminants that lack carbon-hydrogen bonds, distinguishing them from organic pollutants.

These gases, including ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), originate from various sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions.

Organic gases

Organic gaseous compounds can be categorized based on their boiling points, which directly relate to their volatility - their tendency to evaporate at room temperature. This causes their different behaviour in indoor air. Also, the health effects can vary depending on the specific compound and its volatility.

Very volatile organic compounds

Very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs) are gases at room temperature and very easily evaporate.

Examples:

  • Formaldehyde (although some sources classify it as a VOC)
  • Methane
  • Butane
  • Propane
  • Freons (e.g., chlorodifluoromethane)

Volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and are the most commonly referred to group when discussing VOCs in indoor air. VOCs are also mainly gases but they may condense on colder surfaces.

They are found in many common household products and building materials, and they can have a significant impact on indoor air quality (IAQ).

Examples:

  • Benzene
  • Toluene
  • Xylene
  • Acetone
  • Ethanol
  • Isopropanol
  • Many components of fragrances and cleaning products

Semi-volatile organic compounds

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) have lower volatility than VOCs and tend to exist both in the gas phase and adsorbed onto surfaces or particles (like dust).

Examples:

  • Phthalates (plasticizers)
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) - mostly phased out but can be found in older buildings
  • Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Some pesticides
  • Flame retardants (PBDEs)

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is formed from the decay of uranium, which is found in rocks and soil throughout the world.

Radon gas can seep into homes and buildings through cracks and openings in the foundation, floors, and walls. It can also be released from building materials that contain radium.

Indoor air particles

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. These particles vary in size, composition, and origin, and their effects on human health depend on these characteristics.

PM is classified by its aerodynamic diameter, which is the size of a unit-density sphere with the same aerodynamic properties as the particle.

Coarse particles (PM10)

Coarse particles are inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller.

Fine particles (PM2.5)

Fine particles are inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller. Due to their small size, they can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs.

Ultrafine particles (PM0.1 )

Ultrafine particles (UFP) are a subset of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 0.1 micrometers. Due to their extremely small size, UFP can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream, raising concerns about their health effects.

Biological agents

This category encompasses living organisms and their byproducts that can negatively affect indoor air quality.

Mold and Fungi

These microorganisms thrive in damp or humid indoor environments and can release mycotoxins, which can have carcinogenic, immunotoxic, cytotoxic, and mutagenic effects.

Bacteria

Similar to mold, bacteria can grow in damp conditions and cause health issues.

Viruses

These can be transmitted through the air, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.

Allergens

These substances can trigger the immune system, causing allergic reactions. Common indoor allergens include dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.

Concentration limit values for main air pollutants

Categorization Pollutant Averaging period Concentration limit value Reference
Organic gases Benzene - no safe level WHO 2010 [1]
Naphthalene annual 10 μg/m3 WHO 2010 [1]
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons no safe level WHO 2010 [1]
Tetrachloroethylene annual 250 μg/m3 WHO 2010 [1]
Trichloroethylene WHO 2010 [1]
Formaldehyde 30-minute 100 μg/m3 WHO 2010 [1]
Inorganic gases O3 8-hour

peak season

100

60

μg/m3 WHO 2021 [2]
SO2 10-minute

24-hour

500

40

μg/m3 WHO 2021 [2]
NO2 1-hour

24-hour annual

200

25 10

μg/m3 WHO 2021[2]
CO 15-minute

1-hour

8-hour

24-hour

100

35

10

4

mg/m3 WHO 2021 [2]
Particulate matter PM2.5 24-hour

annual

15

5

μg/m3 WHO 2021 [2]
PM10 24-hour

annual

45

15

μg/m3 WHO 2021 [2]
Radioactive gases Radon

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
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