All the heating
appliances and gas fuelled appliances release NO2. However, the
results for the studies conducted with people with adverse respiratory issues
and inhalation of NO2 are inconclusive. The effects of NO2
exposure have on adult women, children with respiratory problems, asthma or
atopic issues are high.
The most significant
cause of poisoning in the US is associated with carbon monoxide, which is a
non-irritating gas. The gas appliances uses for day-to-day activities, unvented
kerosene heaters, as well as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is the main
source of carbon dioxide in the indoors. It can create problems with the oxygen
binding capacity of the hemoglobin present in the blood. Further, it supports
various symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, nausea, severe headache,
breathlessness and sometimes high amount of exposures and even leads to coma
and fatality. However, according to Jia & Foranmost,
the poisoning in the system will depend upon the concentration of the carbon
monoxide, underlying health issues, the period of exposure and other physical
issues of the individual who is exposed.
Volatile organic
compounds are usually found to be emitted from carpet tile, office furniture,
adhesives, paintings, benign wall coverings and cabinetry. This indoor chemical
is also emitted from building occupants and other activities. The occupants can
be easily exposed to these volatile organic compounds as they are emitted with
a range between 50 and 300 different VOCs Most of the respiratory symptoms have
been associated with indoor particulate matter (PM). In fact, studies revealed
that the suspended indoor PM emits very high amounts of allergen carriers in
homes in Oslo. Organic pollutants along with end toxin or allergen carriers
might produce pro-inflammatory reactions that will result in allergic diseases
like asthma.
Research conducted
a in
different cities of US showed
that different sites, specifically industrial cities including Pittsburgh, NJ,
MI, MD, Dearborn, Baltimore, Camden, PA, showed 90th or 95th percentile
concentration. Moreover, the heavily polluted areas in the United States,
specifically heavily populated cities or industrial cities are prone to high
air pollution, and these are termed as hotspots. In the south-west Memphis, the
BTEX concentration is said to be higher than 95% in comparison to multiple
sites. This is specifically high in the areas where the traffic rates as high
(60,000 vehicles per day). Moreover, the study concluded that south-west
Memphis is one of the most polluted cities but carbon monoxide level very is
high in comparison to even many of the other industrialized urban regions in
America. `This area is under high risk of air toxins according to Bernsteinet al.(2008).
According to Jia & Foranmost (2013) most of the American spent
approximately 22 hours indoors and consequently they are susceptible to health
risks. People who have less immunity and susceptible to problems in the
respiratory system were affected, and the problem increased to higher levels
due to the indoor air pollutants. The most common and pollutants that are
encountered in indoor air pollution are nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), particulate matter, sulphur
dioxide (SO2), microbes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They
revealed that the amount of adverse health effects of these air pollutants
depends on the level of concentrations of the pollutants in the air and its
exposure. Moreover, these pollutants are subtle, and it is difficult to
recognize them during the early days. Only in extreme cases, multiple chemical
sensitivity, toxic mould syndrome, and sick building syndrome are used to
describe the symptoms that are seen in the people. This is applicable to home
as well as any other non-industrial occupational settings (Reisen & Meyer, 2011).
In conclusion, the both outdoor and
indoor air quality play a significant role as far as health is concerned. .
Asthma and different cancers are spreading out in urban areas. The awareness
among the public in this aspect is increasing, and they have started realizing
the issues of air toxin. EPA and other relevant authorities need to enhance
their monitoring mechanism in polluted areas.
For Further Reading
4- Smoke
impacts on the fire ground: What are the exposure risks and how can potential healthimpacts be minimized?'
No comments:
Post a Comment