Indoor pollution

Most citizens have the greatest contact with toxic pollutants not outside but inside their homes, offices and cars. The levels of many contaminants are much higher indoors than out. Daily routine exposes people to many harmful substances that cause cancer. Among them there are toxic volatile organic compounds, including benzene (which comes from cigarette smoke), tetra chloroethylene (which is used to dry-clean clothes) and chloroform (which forms from the chlorine used to treat water). The main sources of other toxic volatile compounds are ordinary products, such as air fresheners, cleaning compounds and various building materials. Other indoor contaminants are: carbon monoxide, a product of incomplete combustion, that robs the blood of oxygen; fine particles - particles smaller than 2.5 microns in size - the product of combustion, such as smoking, cooking, burning candles or firewood; pesticides and heavy metals; dust mites, mold and animal dander, which are allergens. People must know that the main sources of indoor pollutants are right under people’s noses - most repellents, pesticides, solvents, deodorizers, cleansers, dry-cleaned clothes, dusty carpets, paint, adhesives, fumes from cooking and heating and cigarette smoke, to name a few.

Scientists in America came to the conclusion that everyday items, which people have to use in their homes, are more dangerous to their health than industrial pollution. For example, benzene can cause leukemia in workers who have to deal with its high concentrations. It is present in gasoline, some household products and in tobacco smoke. The average concentration of benzene people inhale in their houses is three times higher than typical outdoor levels. Some 45 per cent of the total exposure to benzene comes from smoking (as well as secondhand smoking), 36 per cent from inhaling gasoline, fumes or from using glues, 16 per cent from paints and gasoline, stored in basements. And only 3 per cent comes from the industrial pollution. So living with a smoker is dangerous for one’s health. Cutting all industrial releases of benzene can reduce health risks only a little bit. Yet even a modest reduction in cigarette smoking will significantly reduce the rate of benzene causing diseases.

Other volatile organic compounds that are quite toxic at high concentrations also dominate indoors rather than out. The greatest exposure to tetrachloroethylene occurs when people live in buildings with dry-cleaning facilities, wear recently dry-cleaned clothes or store them in closets. Moth-repellents, toilet disinfectants and deodorizers are the major source of another cancer-causing compound, paradichlorobenzene. It is clear that people should avoid products containing such pollutants.

But there are other worrisome vapors that are difficult to avoid. When people take hot shower, boil water or use clothes washers they inhale chloroform - a gas, forming from the chlorine, used to treat water supplies. To minimize household exposure to chloroform you should drink bottled water or run it through a good-quality filter and improve ventilation in the bathroom. Better airflow can also reduce the level of carbon monoxide indoors. This gas is particularly harmful to people with heart illness. Poorly operated gas stoves and grills can cause extremely unhealthful conditions - even death.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30