Sources of indoor air pollutants: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:52, 25 April 2025

Indoor air pollutants can originate from various sources, both inside and outside the building. These pollutants can be either anthropogenic (caused by human activities) or natural.

Combustion sources

Combustion processes, such as those from gas stoves, fireplaces, and smoking, release various pollutants into the air:

Carbon monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
Particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Building Materials and Furnishings

Many building materials and furnishings can emit VOCs, including:

Paints and varnishes

These often contain solvents that release VOCs as they dry.

Adhesives and sealants

Used in construction and renovations, these can emit VOCs for extended periods.

Carpets and flooring

Some carpets and flooring materials can release VOCs, especially when new.

Furniture

Certain types of furniture, particularly those made with pressed wood products, can emit formaldehyde, a type of VOC.

Household Products

A wide range of household products can contribute to indoor air pollution.

Cleaning products

Personal care products

Pesticides and insecticides

Biological Sources

Biological pollutants are living organisms or substances derived from them that can cause health problems.

Mold: Mold spores can trigger allergies and respiratory problems. Mold growth is often associated with dampness and poor ventilation.
Bacteria and viruses: These can cause infections and illnesses.
Dust mites: Microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells and can trigger allergies and asthma.
Pet dander: Tiny flakes of skin shed by pets that can cause allergies.

Indoor activities

Cooking

Cooking activities can release PM, VOCs, and other pollutants into the air.

Personal Activities

Smoking, using hobby materials, and even breathing can contribute to indoor air pollution.

Outdoor environment

Soil

Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings from the ground and is a leading cause of lung cancer.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Indoor air pollutants can originate from various sources, both inside and outside the building. These pollutants can be either anthropogenic (caused by human activities) or natural.
-=== Combustion sources ===
+== Combustion sources ==
 Combustion processes, such as those from gas stoves, fireplaces, and smoking, release various pollutants into the air:
-* Carbon Monoxide (CO)
+* Carbon monoxide (CO)
-* Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
+* Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
-* Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>)
+* Particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>)
-* Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
+* Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
-=== Building Materials and Furnishings ===
+== Building Materials and Furnishings ==
 Many building materials and furnishings can emit VOCs, including:
-* Paints and varnishes: These often contain solvents that release VOCs as they dry.
+=== Paints and varnishes ===
-* Adhesives and sealants: Used in construction and renovations, these can emit VOCs for extended periods.
+These often contain solvents that release VOCs as they dry.
-* Carpets and flooring: Some carpets and flooring materials can release VOCs, especially when new.
-* Furniture: Certain types of furniture, particularly those made with pressed wood products, can emit formaldehyde, a type of VOC.
-=== Household Products ===
+=== Adhesives and sealants ===
-A wide range of household products can contribute to indoor air pollution:
+Used in construction and renovations, these can emit VOCs for extended periods.
-* Cleaning products
+=== Carpets and flooring ===
-* Personal care products
+Some carpets and flooring materials can release VOCs, especially when new.
-* Pesticides and insecticides
-=== Biological Sources ===
+=== Furniture ===
-Biological pollutants are living organisms or substances derived from them that can cause health problems:
+Certain types of furniture, particularly those made with pressed wood products, can emit formaldehyde, a type of VOC.
+== Household Products ==
+A wide range of household products can contribute to indoor air pollution.
+=== Cleaning products ===
+=== Personal care products ===
+=== Pesticides and insecticides ===
+== Biological Sources ==
+Biological pollutants are living organisms or substances derived from them that can cause health problems.
 * Mold: Mold spores can trigger allergies and respiratory problems. Mold growth is often associated with dampness and poor ventilation.
-* Bacteria and Viruses: These can cause infections and illnesses.
+* Bacteria and viruses: These can cause infections and illnesses.
-* Dust Mites: Microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells and can trigger allergies and asthma.
+* Dust mites: Microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells and can trigger allergies and asthma.
-* Pet Dander: Tiny flakes of skin shed by pets that can cause allergies.
+* Pet dander: Tiny flakes of skin shed by pets that can cause allergies.
+== Indoor activities ==
-=== Indoor activities ===
+=== Cooking ===
+Cooking activities can release PM, VOCs, and other pollutants into the air.
-* Cooking: Cooking activities can release PM, VOCs, and other pollutants into the air.
+=== Personal Activities ===
-* Personal Activities: Smoking, using hobby materials, and even breathing can contribute to indoor air pollution.
+Smoking, using hobby materials, and even breathing can contribute to indoor air pollution.
-=== Outdoor environment ===
+== Outdoor environment ==
+=== Soil ===
 * Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings from the ground and is a leading cause of lung cancer.
 == References ==
 {{Reflist}}