Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution: Volume 2: Air Pollution, Human Health, and the Environment

By Rama Rao Karri

Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution, Volume Two, Air Pollution, Human Health, and the Environment is part of a three volume series. This volume covers the various classifications of indoor air pollutants and discusses the health impact of indoor pollutants, such as gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. It also examines epidemiological studies related to different air pollutants on health and the workplace. This book begins with an overview of classifications, sources, and occurrences of indoor air pollutants. It also examines the environmental and health impacts due to organic and inorganic air pollutants and how to mitigate them through exposure and risk management. Other sections explore “sick building syndrome,” which causes acute health and discomfort that appears to be linked to time spent in a building. Recent trends and control strategies for occupation exposure due to poor indoor air quality in industrial and nonindustrial workplaces to human health are also covered. This book is a valuable reference for academicians, researchers, and students in environmental health, public health, and occupational health, as well as environmental engineers, meteorologists, epidemiologists, medical researchers, and environmental toxicologists.

• Reviews sources and occurrences of organic and inorganic air pollutants
• Examines the health impact, such as “sick building syndrome,” and the effect of gaseous indoor pollutants and fine particulate matter on sensitive populations
• Discusses indoor air quality and the link between ventilation, indoor air pollutants, and environmental quality

• Language: English
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Release date: Apr 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9780443160912

Book preview

Introduction

Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, Rama Rao Karri, Teresa Vera and Salwa Kamal Mohamed Hassan

An average person often spends about 90% of his time indoors in the developed world. Despite this, the effects of air pollution studies are almost always focused on the ambient effects of ambient air pollution that are taken from outdoor measurements. Moreover, air quality management policy focuses on monitoring and controlling pollution levels outdoors. However, the scientific studies of indoor pollution in different microenvironments are increasing, and the effects of indoor pollutant exposures on health studies are scarce. The exposure of humans to indoor pollution can be extreme, especially in the less developed world, when they originate from unvented combustion appliances which are used in indoor environments such as homes. The pollution in indoor environments arises from indoor source emissions as well as from the infiltration of outdoor air.

Chapter 1 presents a comprehensive overview of the classification, sources, and occurrence of indoor air pollutants. Human activities, building materials, home goods, combustion processes, cigarette smoke, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are all sources of indoor air pollution. Key tactics include ventilation and air exchange, air filtration and purification systems, source control and removal, regulation and policy initiatives, and education and awareness campaigns.

Chapter 2 is on household air pollution and human health. Air pollution from households is responsible for the development of many cancers. This chapter focused on the presence of various sources of indoor air pollution, knowing the effects on human health and analyzing current strategies, state-of-the-art approaches, research gaps, and challenges for the future.

Chapter 3 discusses the epidemiological aspects of indoor air pollution. Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that exposure to indoor air pollution results in adverse health outcomes. This chapter summarizes the epidemiological aspects of exposure to indoor air pollution and the distribution of diseases caused by indoor air pollution among occupants in different indoor environments. Additionally, a summary of the epidemiological study design commonly used in investigating the distribution and factors associated with indoor air pollution-related disease is provided.

Chapter 4 talks about bioaerosols and their health effects. Bioaerosols originate from living organisms, including microorganisms (i.e., fungi, bacteria, and viruses), arthropods (i.e., dust mites, cockroaches), house pets, and humans. They are crucial indoor air pollutants often neglected by occupants unless serious contamination exists. This chapter summarizes the common sources of indoor bioaerosols in households and other environments. Common health hazards arising from bioaerosol exposure were also discussed with evidence from various scientific literature. In addition, simple household management practices and behavioral changes to minimize the risk of bioaerosols exposure are also suggested.

Chapter 5 describes the poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in industrial and nonindustrial workplace to human health and its recent trends and control strategies. The chapter thoroughly examines primary sources, health consequences, and strategies for controlling IAQ within occupational settings. The harmful impacts of inadequate IAQ on workers have been observed in both industrial and nonindustrial settings. The prevalence of sick building syndrome is higher in indoor environments with poor air quality and is associated with acute exposure.

Chapter 6 discusses about environmental and health effects due to inorganic air pollutants. Cooking is the main contributor to inorganic pollutants in the house, resulting in a high accumulation of various inorganic pollutants and adverse health effects. High levels of inorganic pollutants are linked to various illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, sleep disturbance, problems in immune systems, and neurological damage. This chapter provides the latest insights on the accumulation of inorganic pollutants in indoor areas and its effects on human health on a local and global scale.

Chapter 7 provides a comprehensive review of the potential outcomes of exposure to tobacco smoke or secondhand smoke (SHS). The apprehension regarding the potential outcomes of exposure to SHS has been increasing in recent decades due to the prevalent SHS indoor air pollutant in numerous countries. SHS, or environmental tobacco smoke, has been identified as a well-established risk factor for developing human pulmonary cancer. The present chapter places significant emphasis on the chemical composition of tobacco, the concentration of heavy metals in tobacco smoke, the health consequences associated with exposure to SHS, and the preventive measures that can be adopted to mitigate these risks.

Chapter 8 is on environmental and health effects due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They are among the most common indoor air pollutants of great importance and are considered an indicator of IAQ in closed environments. This chapter will review the composition and types of VOCs, their main sources, and their health effects in the indoor air of buildings and closed