Transcript Indoor Pollution, Human Health and Technology Wendy Geise ESP 6130 Science and Technology for Environmental Security May 15, 2006

Indoor Pollution,
Human Health and
Technology
Wendy Geise
ESP 6130 Science and
Technology for Environmental
Security
May 15, 2006
Overview
• Why should we care about indoor
pollution?
• Categories of indoor pollution
• Health impacts
• Solutions and suggestions (some
technical, some not)
Why should we be
concerned about indoor
pollution?
World Health Report’s estimates of death and ill-health (DALYs) from leading risk factors in the year 2000
Source: Smith 2000
There are four principal
categories of indoor pollution
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Combustion Products
Chemicals
Radon
Biological
Combustion generated
pollutants are a major issue
in developing countries
•
Half the world’s population and 90%
of rural households rely on
unprocessed biomass including
wood, dung and crop residues
•
Indoor concentrations of particles
can be 10-100 times higher than US
EPA guidelines for daily exposures
•
Women and children exposed 3-7
hours per day over many years
•
Increases risk of pulmonary and
respiratory disease - leading cause
of death in children under 5 years
•
Additional association to low birth
weights, TB, throat cancers, cataract
and lung cancer (from coal)
Source: World Health Organization 2000
Africa and Asia are the
most highly impacted
The estimated cost to improve
indoor pollution in developing
countries is $2.5 billion
• China has implemented over 200 million
stoves to reduce indoor pollution
• Kenya and Sri Lanka nearly 1 million each
Source: Practical Action 2006
Indoor exposure to chemical
sources is a concern in
developed countries
•
80,000 chemicals compounds being made worldwide
•
US EPA approves 2,000 additional each year
•
80% approved in less than 3 weeks
•
Less than 10% have been tested for human and environmental safety
•
43% lack basic toxicity data
•
Researchers estimate 5-10% of chemicals in production could be
carcinogenic
•
EPA study found indoor exposures to carcinogenic substances 5-70 times
higher than outdoors, some levels were high enough to qualify as a
Superfund site
Source: Naturally Clean 2005
Chemical sources are found
throughout the modern house
What are the human
impacts?
•
Accumulation in fat cells, muscles, bones, brains and organ tissues
•
Body burden - According to EPA, every man, woman and child in US has at least 700 pollutants in their
bodies
•
Forty-four percent of men and thirty-nine percent of women will get cancer in their lives – 24% increase
in 30 years
•
Women who work in the home have 55% higher risk of cancer and respiratory disease than women
who work outside the home (Sterling 2001). Researchers have found that many chemicals in
household cleaners cause hormone disruption (new area of study)
•
Exposure to VOC’s linked to higher rates of asthma
•
Total indoor hydrocarbon concentration significantly related to “sick building syndrome” (Norback,
1990)
•
15-30% of Americans report sensitivity or allergy like conditions from exposure to chemicals
•
New condition called Multiple Chemical Sensitivities from a single high exposure event or repeated
low-level exposure to chemicals affects 5% of population
Source: Naturally Clean 2005
Recent legislative proposals
suggest a more precautionary
approach
•
Current lax regulations allow chemicals to be released into the environment and
routinely used in consumer products on the assumption that they cause no harm
•
REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) in EU
–
–
Assess the estimated 100,000 chemicals currently on the European market
It will permit the continued use of these most hazardous chemicals even if a safer alternative
is available.
•
US Child, Worker and Consumer Safe Chemicals Act – 2005 proposed legislation
following REACH in EU
•
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the initiative is a
voluntary UN agreement that deals with risk assessments of chemicals and
standardized labeling – 2006
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Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic substances (PBTs)
Very Persistent and Very Bioaccumulative substances (vPvB)
Chemicals that are carcinogens or mutagens or adversely effect reproductive, endocrine,
immune or nervous system, including all forms of asbestos;
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
Mercury and other metals of global concern
Source: EurActiv 2000-2005
Exposure to radon is
also greater indoors
•
Radon is an odorless gas that comes from
natural breakdown of uranium in nearly all soils
•
It can also be found in well water
•
2005 - The Surgeon General of the United
States issued a Health Advisory warning
Americans about the health risk from exposure
to radon in indoor air
•
Two studies show definitive evidence of an
association between residential radon
exposure and lung cancer.
•
The World Health Organization (WHO) says
radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers
worldwide
•
Smokers have higher risks
•
US EPA suggests all homes should be tested
for radon
Source: US EPA
Trained contractors can be
hired for radon mitigation
• Vent/pipe system and fan
are installed to pull radon
gas from beneath the
house and disperse
outside the home
• Foundation cracks are
sealed
• Costs range from $800 to
$2500 for contractor to
install
Source: EPA Radon Citizens Guide
Homes also can contain many
biological contaminants
Types:
• Bacteria
• Mold/Mildew
• Viruses
• Animal dander
• Dust mites
• Pollen
Health Effects:
• Allergic reactions
• Asthma
• Infectious disease
• Disease causing
mycotoxins from
molds and mildews
Steps to control indoor
biological contaminants
•
Maintain relative humidity between 30% - 50% year round (whole house air
purifier/dehumidifiers cost up to $2200)
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Install and use exhaust fans that are vented to the outdoors in kitchens and
bathrooms and vent clothes dryers outdoor
•
Ventilate the attic and crawl spaces to prevent moisture build-up
•
Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets and building materials
(within 24 hours if possible) or consider removal and replacement
•
House dust mites, pollens, animal dander, and other allergy-causing agents
can be reduced, although not eliminated, through regular cleaning
– People who are allergic to these pollutants should use allergen-proof mattress
encasements, wash bedding in hot (130° F) water, and avoid room furnishings
that accumulate dust, especially if they cannot be washed in hot water
•
Take steps to minimize biological pollutants in basements
Source: US EPA
The basic strategy for
controlling indoor pollution
• Source control
• Ventilation improvements
• Air cleaners
– Activated carbon (removes
some but not all VOC’s,
gases)
– HEPA filtration (developed by
Atomic Energy Commission
to remove radiation particles
from nuclear labs)
– Most effective is a
combination HEPA/Activated
carbon
Questions?