Indoor pollution has become a major health concern now a days. There are many indoor air contaminants of which majority of the people are unaware. Here, let us know about some of the major indoor air contaminants. However, there may be other health effects in addition to those listed below.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide generally produced by human respiration. It also evolves due to un-vented burning of wood, gas or any other fuel.
Due to elevated levels of Carbon Dioxide, one will have difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, and increased respiration rate.
Carbon Monoxide
The main sources for Carbon Monoxide are tobacco smoke, fossil-fuel engine exhausts, and improperly closed fossil-fuel appliances or containers.
High levels of Carbon Monoxide cause dizziness, headache, nausea, cyanosis, cardiovascular effects, and sometimes even death.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)
Chemicals like trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, alcohols, methacrylates, acrolein, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides are called as Volatile organic compounds.
The main sources are paints, cleaning compounds, moth-balls, glues, photocopiers, insecticides, herbicides, combustion products, asphalt, gasoline vapors, tobacco smoke, and cosmetics.
VOCs cause nausea, dizziness, and irritation in eyes, respiratory tract, and mucous membrane. Also causes headache and fatigue.
Microbials
Microbials include viruses, fungi, mold, bacteria, nematodes, amoeba, pollen, and dander.
The main sources are cooling towers, water damaged materials, high humidity indoor areas, damp organic material and wet surfaces, humidifiers, hot water systems, and plants.
Health effects of microbials include hypersensitivity diseases such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, humidifier fever, allergic rhinitis, etc. and infections like legionellosis.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide generally produced by human respiration. It also evolves due to un-vented burning of wood, gas or any other fuel.
Due to elevated levels of Carbon Dioxide, one will have difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, and increased respiration rate.
Carbon Monoxide
The main sources for Carbon Monoxide are tobacco smoke, fossil-fuel engine exhausts, and improperly closed fossil-fuel appliances or containers.
High levels of Carbon Monoxide cause dizziness, headache, nausea, cyanosis, cardiovascular effects, and sometimes even death.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)
Chemicals like trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, alcohols, methacrylates, acrolein, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides are called as Volatile organic compounds.
The main sources are paints, cleaning compounds, moth-balls, glues, photocopiers, insecticides, herbicides, combustion products, asphalt, gasoline vapors, tobacco smoke, and cosmetics.
VOCs cause nausea, dizziness, and irritation in eyes, respiratory tract, and mucous membrane. Also causes headache and fatigue.
Microbials
Microbials include viruses, fungi, mold, bacteria, nematodes, amoeba, pollen, and dander.
The main sources are cooling towers, water damaged materials, high humidity indoor areas, damp organic material and wet surfaces, humidifiers, hot water systems, and plants.
Health effects of microbials include hypersensitivity diseases such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, humidifier fever, allergic rhinitis, etc. and infections like legionellosis.
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