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Long-Term Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

Pollutants in the home release gases or particles into the air causing indoor air pollution that can lead to severe health problems. These contaminants, which include radon gas and carbon monoxide, can come from either indoor or outdoor sources. Causes of air pollution inside buildings include inadequate ventilation, humidity, heat, some types of building materials, tobacco smoke, and gas stoves. Long-term exposure to these indoor pollutants can lead to severe health problems that can result in death in some cases.

  1. Respiratory Diseases

    • The quality of the air people breathe affects their respiratory systems. Many household items can give off gases that have adverse effects on the respiratory system. Wood stoves and gas ranges can give off carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, and particulates. Insulation and carpet adhesives emit formaldehyde. Each of these substances can cause respiratory difficulties and diseases.

    Cancer

    • Some substances found in the home can lead to lung cancer. Smoking in the home releases benzene into the air. Asbestos, an insulation material used from the 1950s to the 1970s, can release asbestos fibers that are harmful when inhaled. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that enters your home through cracks in the walls and floors. Long-term exposure to this gas can cause lung cancer.

    Heart Disease

    • A 2004 study by the American Heart Association (AHA) found that long-term exposure to air pollution can increase an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease. It identified carbon monoxide, lead, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides as the main pollutants associated with this increased risk.

    Birth Defects

    • A 2002 study done by the UCLA School of Public Health found that women exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide and ozone during their second month of pregnancy had an increased risk of birth defects. Some of these birth defects include restricted fetal growth and heart defects.

    Allergies

    • Molds, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites can increase the risk of allergies. You can control these allergens by keeping your home clean, dusting regularly, and washing all bedding in hot water. Exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen can reduce the amount of mold in your home.

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