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Indoor air pollution – is it a problem? Everyone knows about air pollution affecting urban
areas and industrial regions. Mexico City and Southeast Asia have hit the headlines. But
wherever there are cities and industry there is pollution, from industrial effluents and the
omnipresent automobile.
But indoors? The fact is that indoor air can be one hundred times more polluted than
outdoor air. As the majority of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, this is a
cause for concern.
“Sick building syndrome” is a phenomenon which emerged in the 1970s when, to conserve
energy as well as to provide a more comfortable draught-free environment, many naturally
ventilated buildings were superceded by airtight air-conditioned buildings. It is used to describe a situation in which a substantial proportion of a building’s occupants report a number of symptoms while occupying that building. It is estimated that as many as one third of U.S. buildings suffer from sick building syndrome. Symptoms experienced by people vary as widely as drowsiness, lethargy, nausea, headaches,
nosebleeds, dizziness and respiratory problems.
What are the sources of indoor air pollution?
Tobacco smoke is a major culprit, with its lethal cocktail of toxic chemicals. Insulation, synthetic fabrics, treated wood and carpets, especially when new, release potentially harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, into the air. When this air is recycled indefinitely, high concentration levels can be reached. Printers and copiers emit toxic gases. Then there are chemicals used in the manufacture of
computers, especially those added to VDUs as fire retardants, which emit high levels of
pollutants when new. Even cleaning solvents make their contribution to the pollution. In
some cases, prolonged exposure to this mixture can cause chemical sensitivities which may be
difficult to cure.
How can indoor air pollution be dealt with?
Potted plants can improve room air quality. They reduce levels of carbon dioxide and increase oxygen levels. Among the most effective are spider plants, rubber plants and yucca. Plants can even be used to monitor pollution. Plants can wither from pollutants before people start to sicken from them.
Regular maintenance of air conditioning systems is essential in centrally-controlled air
conditioned buildings. This should include coil, fins and filters for the equipment to
function effectively. The most important maintenance task is cleaning or replacement of
filters. Not only do clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow, but also can directly
reduce the effective working life of the equipment. Not to be overlooked is the correct
installation of air-conditioning systems in the first place. Air intake ducts need to be
properly located. If they are placed in polluted areas, the system will actually bring
polluted air into the building.
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