An inside look at air pollution
On particularly smoggy days, small children and people with respiratory illness are encouraged to stay indoors to avoid health risks from air pollution. While this may be good advice if the goal is to reduce exposures to, let's say, ozone, there is substantial evidence that concentrations of many airborne pollutants are often higher inside buildings and vehicles than outside. It is becoming increasingly apparent that being indoors, as, for example, in a residence, office, or automobile, can offer protection from exposure to some airborne agents, while at the same time increasing exposure to others. The specter of potential public health risks from contaminated indoor air presented decision makers with a dilemma. Is the problem serious enough to warrant intervention, and, if so, what preventive or remedial actions are most appropriate The significance of indoor air exposures for acute and chronic health effects remains uncertain in most cases. Nevertheless, there is ample reason for concern and caution. Findings from several studies suggest that indoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and respirable particles can exceed the National Ambient (Outdoor) Air Quality Standards set by EPA to protect public health. And results from many studies show that a plethora of volatile organic chemicals and pesticides known to be toxic and/or carcinogenic can occur indoors at concentrations significantly higher than levels that create concerns in outdoor air.
- OSTI ID:
- 7286882
- Journal Information:
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Journal; (United States), Vol. 19:4; ISSN 0145-1189
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBON MONOXIDE
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION SOURCES
AIR POLLUTION
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
HAZARDS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
320107 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Systems- (1987-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology