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Most Dangerous Indoor Pollutants

To the surprise of many, studies done by EPA indicate that levels of many pollutants are two to five times (and sometimes even more) higher indoors than outdoors---an alarming finding, since most people spend the majority of their time indoors. Knowing what indoor pollutants are most dangerous and how to improve the safety of your daily indoor spaces will help you to keep your family, friends and coworkers healthy and safe.

  1. Asbestos

    • Asbestos is a mineral fiber used in building construction materials for insulation and fireproofing. Nowadays several asbestos products are banned, but asbestos can still be found in old buildings, certain insulation materials, some coating materials and floor tiles. Undisturbed asbestos materials are not dangerous, but damaged materials containing asbestos (or disturbing materials containing asbestos by cutting, sanding or removing them incorrectly) causes asbestos to transform into airborne fibers, which increases asbestos levels in indoor air to dangerous levels. Long-term effects of asbestos exposure include various cancers and lung diseases. Always use a professionally trained contractor if you want to remove materials containing asbestos from your home or office.

    Mold

    • Mold needs moisture and oxygen to grow, so controlling the humidity level of your home or work place helps to prevent excessive mold growth. Mold becomes a pollutant when accumulated mold growth is unnoticed or not dealt with, especially in water-damaged materials and surfaces. Repeated exposure to mold can cause asthma, allergic reactions, tuberculosis, measles and influenza. To reduce the risk of having mold in your house, ventilate kitchens, bathrooms and attics to prevent moisture buildup. Clean and dry after any water damage within 24 hours or as soon as possible or consider removing and replacing damaged materials.

    Radon

    • Radon is a naturally radioactive gas without smell or taste. Besides being the second leading cause for lung cancer in America, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Both EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that you test your indoor spaces for radon either by yourself with a test kit available at some home-improvement stores or by hiring a professional.

    Secondhand Smoking

    • Children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoking because their lungs are still developing, they have higher breathing rates than adults, and they have little control over the quality of their indoor air. Exposure to secondhand smoking can increase asthma attacks and the severity of asthma symptoms and cause lower respiratory tract infections.

    Lead

    • Inhaling or ingesting lead can cause acute illnesses in children and adults. After it was discovered to be dangerous, lead has been banned from many products, including paints. Many old buildings, however, still have lead-based paint on their walls, especially in poor urban areas. Lead dust is most dangerous to children and unborn babies because it can alter physical and mental development.

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