Indoor Pollutants (1981) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-15
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From page 1... ...
Although there is little epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of indoor pollutants, indoor concentrations of Bore pollutants that already beve primary ambient-air quality standards exceed those standarde. Indoor exposure teas been largely overlooked in researob on the health effects of environmental pollutants, but it can constitute an isportant fraction of tbe total exposure to many pollutants.
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From page 2... ...
The regulatory authority to control contaminant sources, to set or recommend building codes, and to support or conduct research on or monitoring of indoor contaminants rests with diverse federal, state, and local government units, but no specific government unit has been directly charged with the responsibility for protecting the quality of indoor environments. For all the reasons stated above, the present quality of the indoor environment and how this quality may change are matter.
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From page 3... ...
The reader's attention is directed to Chapter III, which offers gone recommendations for further health research with respect to these pollutants, for further exposure studies, and for public education about effective ways of reducing exposure to many contaminants encountered indoors. The Committee on Indoor Pollutants and its contributors prepared concise reviews of such physical aspects as sources and concentrations and of such biologic aspects as the physiologic and toxicologic effects of B variety of contaminants encountered indoor=.
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From page 4... ...
The three primary chapters are Chapter IV, on the sources and characterization of indoor pollution' Chapter VII, on the health effectes and Chapter ~X, on the control of indoor pollutants. They are the most voluminous chapters and respond got directly to the Co~ittee's charge to review and appraise the available knowledge on indoor air pollution.
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From page 5... ...
Chanter VII, on the health effects of indoor Pollution, relates the current understanding of the toxicologic and physiologic effects of specific contaminants that are found at high enough concentration and in a broad enough range of indoor environments to constitute an actual or reasonably likely challenge to the occupants of those environments. In some cases, as in Chapter Tv, the diecuse$on is structured by source, such as involuntary Poking or indoor combustion productes the health effects may be attributable to specific components of a mixture of gases and particles, or tt soy be attributable to the general, mixed exposure.
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From page 6... ...
Me Committee is especially concerned with long-term and essentially continuous indoor exposures to low concentrations of formaldehyde. ASBESTOS AND OTHER FIBERS The health hazard posed by indoor exposure to asbetos has been perceived as a problem by virtue of tbe presence of asbestos fibers in insulating and decorative materials.
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From page 7... ...
TOBACCO SMOKE Virtually every member of our society is exposed to tobacco smokes 331 of the population smokes, and the rest are exposed to the smoke released by others. Tbe constituents of tobacco smoke are well documented as hazardous, the prevalence of population exposures is very high, and there ts an increased incidence of respiratory tract symptoms and functional decrements in children residing in home.
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From page 8... ...
Although confirmation te necessary, the available evidence suggests that important population exposures to nitrogen dioxide and carbon Monoxide can occur indoors and may constitute a sufficient threat to the genera, public bealtb to Justify r_dis1 action. Reducing exposure to those gases is relatively straightforward.
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From page 9... ...
However, to the extent that infectious and allergenic microorganisme remain viable and airborne, Substantial reduction in Ventilation rates will tend to increase concentratior,~ and most likely the probability of infection and allergy. MOISTURE Water vapor in confined spaces is a product of metabolic and respiratory procesees, as well as of indoor combustion and evaporation from clothes and dish~washing and bathroom functions.
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From page 10... ...
As evidence on specific contaminants such as formaldebyde and nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves -- becomes available, less harmful substitutes can be considered, and results of research on the control of the sources can be made available. Government Cores the responsibility to ensure that the indoor environments to which the public has access are healthful.
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From page 11... ...
Measurement of indoor contaminants necessitates a sampling protocol that considers the spatial and temporal profile of several pollutants, as well as air diffusion and ventilation characteristics. In addition, measurement techniques for assessing indoor concentrations have to meet more rigorous requirements, particularly with regard to sensitivity and interferences.
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From page 12... ...
For exe pie, they extend from acute intoxication from carbon monoxide and formaldehyde to cancer that appears long after exposure to radon decay products and as - ados. In evaluating health ricks, it is reasonable to compare indoor exposure with ambient air-quality standards for pollutants for which there are suab standerde (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, lead, and total suspended particles)
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From page 13... ...
The specific source controls appropriate to each kind of contaminant can be expected to crazy. For example, local exhaust control is seost appropriate for nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide from gas ranges, the sealing of walls and floors for radon control, prohibition for asbestos~n~ining products, and specifications for care of furniture, drapery, and carpeting materials prepared with formaldehyde~containing subetances.
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From page 14... ...
6. me welfare and behavioral effects that should receive the initial major focus in investigatior~ are material damage from mold formation in relation to relative hum~ditys corrosion and surface deterioration in relation to nitrogen dioxide' sulfur dioxide, and water vapors fabric fading and deterioration in relation to solar radiation in combination with nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, house dust, and water vapor; soiling due to tobacco smokes and the lowering of work productivity due to indoor air pollution and associated discomfort.
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From page 15... ...
9. The potential for consumer products to contaminate the indoor environment needs to be evaluated.
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