Assignment:
Select an air pollutant in which you may have come into contact that excites your interest (eg., tobacco smoke, vehicle ‘fumes’, household chemicals, work or school related exposures, et al). Describe the (a) components of this air pollutant, the (b) form [vapor, gas, aerosol, particle, fume or a combination] in which the pollutant(s) exist during emission and the (c) health effects from exposure. – minimum 1 page
Introduction
The type of air pollutant I chose to research belongs to the category of indoor pollutants composed of particulate matter. This type of indoor pollutant has a serious impact on our society and overall health. Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors (Wired magazine, Image and Innovation: the Challenge of Indoor Air Pollution, Sep 9, 2013), where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 1987; The total exposure assessment methodology (TEAM) study; EPA/600/6-87/002a).
Health Effects
The negative health effects associated with indoor air pollutants include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches, dizziness, and fatigue; respiratory diseases; heart disease; and cancer. Given these facts, and the reality that I’m generally not aware of the potential issues I may be exposed to, I wanted to better understand how to mitigate the risk factors that contribute to poor health.
Risk Factors
Common indoor particulate pollutants include: dust mites, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, cockroach allergens, and others. These microscopic particles can cause a variety of issues, including “asthma triggers,” meaning that some asthmatics might experience asthma attacks following exposure. Also, episodes of
