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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Federal policy options for indoor air pollution from combustion appliances. Technical report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5730119
In fiscal year 1988 the Environmental Protection Agency spent approximately 260 million dollars to reduce the levels of pollutants in the outdoor atmosphere. For reduction of indoor pollutants, it spent only three million dollars. The average person spends over 90% of their time indoors, and for many contaminants, indoor concentrations exceed outdoor levels. Thus, indoor pollutants may pose a greater threat to humans than outdoor pollutants. Energy-conservation measures that result in tighter building envelopes and reduced rates of outdoor ventilation tend to increase the concentration levels of indoor contaminant levels. Typical indoor pollutants include radon, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, particles, biological contaminants, and combustion gases. The paper focuses on gas stoves, unvented gas space heaters, woodburning stoves, and kerosene heaters as representative combustion sources. The first section discusses these sources, the health problems they pose, and physical control mechanisms to reduce indoor pollutant concentrations. The second section examines the federal policy options for indoor air pollution; summarizes the available federal, state, and local legislative authorities; defines regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to mitigate indoor air pollution; and presents possible federal actions for controlling combustion-source pollutants.
Research Organization:
California Univ., Los Angeles, CA (USA). School of Public Affairs
OSTI ID:
5730119
Report Number(s):
PB-89-190144/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English