Odorless and colorless toxic gases may be poisoning the very air you are breathing now. Read on to find out what deadly air pollutants may be present in your home, office and school.
When it comes to air pollution, most people would associate it with ‘dirty air’ that exists outside the boundary of their home, school or office building.
But do you know that the air in your room, classroom or work space can be up to two times dirtier than the air outside?
As most of us spend majority of our time indoors, it’s high time for you to be aware of the hidden airborne dangers that may be present in your environment.
Here’s a list of common household items which you have never even begin to suspect that might be polluting the air you are breathing:
Common Causes of Indoor Air Pollution
- Dust, which can trigger respiratory allergies in people who are sensitive to them.
- Insecticides, herbicides and pesticide. Vapors of agricultural chemicals contain toxic substances such as arsenic that are known to disrupt the endocrine system and lead to cancerous growth.
- Chlorine by-products like chloramines and trihalomethanes which are formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter like skin, hair, bacteria and etc. Inhaling these chemicals can irritate and cause damages to the respiratory system.
- Household cleaning chemicals, paints and solvents. These products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger sick building syndrome such as headaches, skin and throat irritation when people are exposed to them on a regular basis.
- Synthetic fragrances, perfumes and deodorizers. Substances used in fragrances, perfumes and deodorizers are largely unregulated and are not monitored by the government. Some of the highly volatile and semi-volatile chemicals used have been found to be toxic and are capable of causing skin irritation, allergic reaction, cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and reproductive disorders.
- Dry cleaned clothes which contains trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene, which are highly toxic substances that are known to cause cancer.
- Secondhand tobacco smoke which contains 200 known poisons and 43 carcinogens.
- Biological pollutants, including mold, bacteria, viruses, pollen, and dust mites that could diseases, trigger hay fever or induce asthma in adults and children.
- Pet dander. Hairs and dried skins from animals can also be sources of respiratory irritants.
- Carpets and upholstery that use formaldehyde as permanent adhesive. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It is classified as a known human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
- Volatile organic gases released by building and remodeling materials, such as paint, lacquer, glue and plywood. Toxic volatile organic compounds can be emitted by building materials for as long as a few years after installation.
- Fumes from paraffin wax candles. A study done by the South Carolina State University found that candles made of paraffin wax release toxic chemicals such as toluene and benzene that can quickly build up to unhealthy level in enclosed areas.
- Minute particles and gases from office machines and stationery. Copiers, laser printers, correction fluid, graphics and craft materials and others can also be a source of ultra-fine particles and VOCs that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
- Radon gas from kitchen counter top, attic and basement. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America according to the US National Cancer Institute.
- Combustion pollutants. These are gases or particles that are emitted by unvented or poorly vented fuel-burning appliances such as fireplace, heater, wood or gas stove, water heater and dryer. Some of the hazardous gases that may be produced include nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
How to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
Fortunately, indoor air pollution is much more manageable than the air outside your home. Here are some simple steps you can do to cut down on your exposure to air pollutants that could trigger averse health effects:
- Keep your environment clean. Cleaning regularly with a vacuum cleaner and wiping dusty surfaces with a damp cloth are good ways to keep your environment clean and free of allergens. If you’re allergic to dust mites, weekly washing of bedsheets, pillow cases and blankets are also necessary to keep levels of the allergen low.
- Replace air polluting items with safer products, or if you can’t, reduce the amount and frequency of use. For instance, instead of using synthetic cleaning agents and fragrances, replace them with natural alternatives such as diluted essential oils. If you use herbicides or pesticides on your plants, look for natural pest control products that are less harmful and will biodegrade much more quickly such as neem oil.
- Ventilate your indoor space, including the kitchen, attic and basement, and let fresh air circulates freely and frequently.
- Use an air purifier or air filter. Despite taking the measures above, air contaminants and allergens may still be introduced into your living environment by wind, breeze, pets, humans and equipments. That’s when the use of an air cleaner can be useful to reduce the levels of air pollutants in enclosed spaces. If you can help it, install an air filter in every room to improve air-cleaning efficiency.
- Install a whole house water filtration system. A whole-house water filtration system doesn’t just improve the quality of your drinking water, it will also cut your exposure to chlorine gases and vapors of their by-products which may be released during shower and washing.
- Keep humidity under control. Excessive moisture in the air encourages the growth of biological pollutants, like mold, mildew and fungus, in areas like basements and bathrooms that could trigger allergies.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with an efficient filter. Using a vacuum cleaner that comes with a high-efficiency small particle filters has been shown to significantly reduce interior particulate pollution and subsequently, asthma and allergy symptoms.
- Replace toxin-releasing furniture or interior deco materials if you’re refurbishing your home or office. While it is tempting to buy cheaper products to save costs, think of the long-term costs that you and other occupants may be paying ten years down the road.
Dive into the world of airborne particles and learn how they can affect you despite their minute size
Each day we spend almost 90% of our time indoors, be it at home, at work or in school.
But do you know that, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the levels of air pollutants are two to five times higher indoors than outside, regardless of whether the buildings are located in rural or highly industrial areas?
You probably doubt this finding since the air in your home or office smells, and looks, clean after all. The fact is, unless you’ve bionic eyes, the many pollutants in the air can’t be seen with our naked eyes.
A close-up view of how pollen grains from common plants look like.
Image source: Wikipedia
How Particles are Measured
Particles in the air are measured in micrometer (μm), with one micrometer being one-millionth of a meter, or 1/25,400th of an inch. Sometimes, micrometre is also denoted by the term micron (μ). In this article, micron and micrometer are used interchangeably.
To give you an idea of how small micrometer-sized particles are, dust mites are about 3 micrometers in size, while a strand of hair is about 100 to 150 micrometers wide. So to a dust mite, your hair is like a tall and long wall!
The smallest particles we can see with our eyes are those that are larger than 50 micrometers, such as the larger specks of dust collected on our furniture.
Here are some particles and their normal sizes:
- Pollen, mold, plant spores: 7 – 70 μm
- Anthrax spore: 6 μm
- Dust mites: 3 – 10 μm
- Hairspray: 3 – 10 μm
- Large bacteria: 1 – 20 μm
- Auto emissions: 1 – 3 μm
- Lead dust: 1 – 3 μm
- Fungal spores: 0.50 – 7 μm
- Cooking smoke/odors: 0.30 – 1 μm
- Paint pigments: 0.30 – 1 μm
- Dust: 0.20 – 8 μm
- Pet dander: 0.15 – 8 μm
- Small bacteria: 0.08 – 1 μm
- Tobacco smoke: 0.008 – 0.6 μm
- Viruses: 0.005 – 0.01 μm
- Volatile organic compounds: Less than 0.001 μm
Why Bother With Particle Size
Some airborne particles are known to trigger allergic reaction, and they are far too small for us to detect with our eyes. Mold spores, dust mite droppings and pollen particles which are responsible for hay fever, for instance, are only about 3 to 70 micrometers in size.
Small particles are also believed to be the cause for a wide range of health problems, from headaches and chronic fatigue to heart disease and cancer, when one is exposed to them regularly. These include particles from office equipment, volatile organic compounds, cigarette smoke, viruses and lead dust.
Minute particles tend to stay suspended in the air longer than larger particles due to their small size, increasing the chances of being inhaled deep into our body. Once they are inhaled, they can pass through and deposit in our respiratory system, such as nose and lungs, and cause inflammation, itching, swelling, and/or mucus production.
Besides being potential irritants, these particles may also introduce other smaller contaminants such as virus and bacteria that are hitching a free ride, triggering adverse reactions in those who are predisposed to certain disease, have pre-existing ailments, or with weak immune system like the very young and old.
When it comes to air quality, it’s no longer “out of sight, out of mind”. What you cannot see can very well be the cause of the health problems you’re battling with each day.
In this post, we answer an avid runner’s question about exercising outdoor during a hazy weather condition.
Q: Forest fires in neighboring countries have resulted in a haze over my country. Should I continue to run outdoor like I always do when my city is shrouded in a thick haze? Is haze harmful to my health?
A: The short answer is, it depends. Haze is usually measured by the Pollutants Standards Index (PSI). With the PSI value, we can gauge the severity of air pollution in the last three to 24 hours, depending on how often readings are being taken. The higher the value, the more severe is the air pollution. Click here for the significance of the different PSI values and the health effects of haze.
A Haze that Blanketed City-State Singapore in 2006.
Image source: Flickr
Generally, if the PSI value is below 100, it’s safe to carry on normal activities outside as usual, provided you are not currently suffering from any respiratory or heart disease. If you do, it’s advisable to refrain from unnecessary outdoor activities, including jogging and running, to limit your exposure to air pollutants.
When we exercise, we tend to breathe harder than normal and increase our air intake. Therefore, if there are harmful particles in the air, such as during a haze, we’ll inevitably breathe in more of these pollutants into our lungs. And for people with an existing respiratory or heart condition, these minute particles can be fatal as they could trigger an asthma or heart attack.
As the PSI reading crosses above 100, there’s an increased risk of getting eye irritation, sneezing or coughing. At this level and beyond, even those without any pre-existing illnesses should take some safety precautions to limit their contact with air contaminants. Some measures include closing all windows and doors, turning on an indoor air purifier or air conditioner to clean the air, and of course, limiting any outdoor activities. If you must go outside, put on a surgical mask.
If the PSI value continues to climbs above 200 or more, the haze may become life-threatening, especially for susceptible populations like heart and respiratory patients, the elderly and young children. Follow the safety measures mentioned above to cut down your exposure to the haze. It may also be necessary to put on a mask indoor when the haze worsens.
It’s important to keep an eye on the latest PSI value for your area before hitting the road for a run. Up-to-date health data is usually available on the websites of relevant government agencies. If you’re located in Singapore, you can check the National Environment Agency’s website at http://www.nea.gov.sg for the latest hourly PSI reading.
If you’ve a choice between exercising indoor or outdoor during a haze, a smarter choice is almost always to exercise indoor, especially when the PSI is above 50. It just doesn’t make sense to breathe in more air pollutants from the haze whichever way you look at it. They are not beneficial to your system and may even pose a danger in the long-run.
On a separate note, even when there’s no haze, you should also choose where you run carefully. If you’ve the habit of running along roads with heavy traffic, you are likely to breathe in diesel exhaust fumes which have been found in studies to promote cancerous growth, induce stress, increases the risk of heart disease and even affect the IQ of unborn babies. Be sure to read up on the potential serious damages diesel exhaust can do to your body before your next run!
Are all these talks about haze and diesel fumes turning you off from running? I hope not. Running is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that gives the lungs and heart a good work out. Just be sure to choose the right place to run. And there are really no lack of good places to run.
If there’s a haze, just head to your nearest gym and step on a treadmill or an elliptical trainer. There are some gyms that do not require a membership and you only need to pay per entry, if you don’t wish to commit long-term.
After the haze has subsided and you prefer to stay off the road after knowing what diesel exhaust can do to you, then go to the public park or garden in your vicinity. These green sanctuaries are not just devoid of dangerous traffic and filthy smoke, but are also full of trees and plants that give off oxygen and negative ions that help clean up the air. Plus, you might even find like-minded people who share your love of running! Have fun running!
Know the health impact of haze and what you can do to protect you and your loved ones
What is Haze?
Haze is an atmospheric condition where particles, smoke, dust and moisture suspend in the air obscuring visibility.
Sources of haze include emissions from power plants, industrial activities, traffic as well as farming practices.
Forest fires in countries like the US, Australia and Europe during hot and dry summer season are also a source of haze.
In Southeast Asia, haze poses a serious and recurring problem every year, particularly between May to October, due to the burning of forests in Indonesia by local farmers to clear lands.
How Haze Can Affect Your Health
Fine particles in a haze can cause irritation of the nose, throat, airways, skin and eyes. You may experience sneezing, running nose, eye irritation, dry throat and dry cough as a result of inhaling the air pollutants. These symptoms are usually mild if the haze is not severe and will subside when you stay indoor and limit your exposure to haze.
However, if you are suffering from some medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, chronic sinusitis and skin allergy, your condition may be worsen by the haze. You are also more likely to experience severe haze-related effects than those who are healthy.
Because the minute particles in a haze can enter the bloodstream when they are breathed deep into the lungs and absorbed by underlying tissue. Once they enter the blood, they can potentially interact with other substances in the body, for example ‘bad’ cholesterol, to produce damaging effects.
Children and the elderly are also more vulnerable to the effects of haze due to their weaker immune system.
How is Haze Monitored?
Haze is measured by the Pollutants Standards Index (PSI).
It is an index developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency to present daily air pollution levels in an easy to understand format. In the US, PSI is also known as the Air Quality Index.
PSI monitors air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and particles that are 10 microns or smaller (PM10).
With the latest PSI value, you can get a general idea of the current air quality and the health effects associated with the different categories as indicated in the table below:
|
Index Value
|
PSI Descriptor
|
General Health Effects
|
Cautionary Statements
|
|
Up to 50
|
Good
|
Good | None for the general population |
|
51 to 100
|
Moderate
|
Few or none for the general population | None required |
|
101 to 200
|
Unhealthy
|
Mild aggravation of symptoms among susceptible persons ie. those with underlying conditions such as chronic heart or lung ailments; transient symptoms of irritation eg. eye irritation, sneezing or coughing in some of the healthy population. | Persons with existing heart or respiratory ailments should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity. The general population should reduce vigorous outdoor activity. Appropriate public advisories regarding the use of respiratory masks and other health matters will be given. |
|
201 to 300
|
Very Unhealthy
|
Moderate aggravation of symptoms and decreased tolerance in persons with heart or lung disease ; more widespread symptoms of transient irritation in the healthy population. | Elderly and persons with existing heart or lung disease should stay indoors and reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity. The general population should avoid vigorous outdoor activity. Appropriate public advisories on air cleaning devices for homes and offices will be given. |
|
301 to 400
|
Hazardous
|
Early onset of certain diseases in addition to significant aggravation of symptoms in susceptible persons; and decreased exercise tolerance in healthy persons. | Children, elderly and persons with existing diseases should stay indoors and avoid outdoor activity. The general population should avoid all unnecessary outdoor activity. |
|
Over 400
|
Hazardous
|
PSI levels above 400 may be life-threatening to ill and elderly persons. Healthy people may experience adverse symptoms that affect normal activity. | Children, elderly and persons with existing diseases should stay indoors, keeping the windows and doors closed and avoiding physical exertion as far as possible. Outdoor activity should be avoided. The general population should keep physical exertion and outdoor activity to as low a level as possible. |
Source: National Environment Agency, Singapore
How to Protect Yourself from Haze
The main pollutant in a haze that have greater health impact is the fine particles that are 10 micron and smaller in size.
Their effect depends very much on the severity of the haze as described by the air quality category above. At a PSI of 101 and above, the air quality is deemed unhealthy.
During a prolonged haze period when the air quality is poor, you can take the following precautions to protect yourself:
- Minimize outdoor activities, especially outdoor sports.
- When you need to go outside, wear a face mask.
- Close all windows and openings that may allow haze to enter your home or office.
- If you are staying in a building with a central air conditioning system, install an air cleaning device to reduce the amount of air contaminants in your building.
- At home, use a portable air purifier to keep the particulate levels low.
- Fine particles can enter an air-conditioned building through the fresh air intake and by infiltration through openings and gaps. Keep your air-conditioner in tip-top working condition with regular cleaning and servicing.
- If you are suffering from any existing disease, remember to take your medication regularly.
- If you are feeling breathlessness, seek medical attention immediately.
Do you know that we breathe up to 40,000 times a day? That’s almost 28 times per minute!
But, as nations become more and more industrialized and populated, the air that we depend on is also becoming more and more polluted. Rural areas which were once haven of fresh air are also increasingly tainted with air pollutants.
Find out what are some of the common toxic pollutants that we come in contact with regularly and start to take steps to protect yourself today:
1. Radioactive Gas
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soils, rock, water, as well as homes, schools, and office buildings. It is a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking. In the United States, some 20,000 lung cancer deaths are due to radon each year. EPA estimated that 1 in 15 homes in America has radon concentration that exceeds safety level.
2. Heavy Metal in the Air
When most people talk about lead contamination, they only associate it with the water we drink. However, lead can also exist in the air we breathe. Because dust picks up the heavy metal from peeling lead-based paint on toys, furniture and other household products. That’s why lead dust is one of the common ways in which children get lead poisoned. And they are also most susceptible to the brain damaging effects of lead due to their immature immune system.
3. Poisonous Combustion Byproduct
If you use gas stove or kerosene heater, or live near to a power plant, the levels of nitrogen dioxide built up in your home is likely to be high. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is formed during most combustion and it is an eyes, nose, throat and lungs irritant. Long-term exposure to NO2 has been known to aggravate asthma and cause respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis.
4. Colorless, Odorless and Tasteless Killer
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas that can disrupt the ability of red blood cells in the body to carry oxygen, resulting in death even in relatively low levels. Sources of CO at homes include attached garages where cars are left running, roads during peak hours, malfunctioned fuel-burning appliances, as well as fireplaces.
5. Gases from Office Equipment
Do you know that common office equipments and stationery like copiers, printers, correction fluids, glues and adhesives emit volatile gases that may be harmful to your health? This is because chemicals which are used to make these handy stuff are released as organic gases that we eventually end up breathing. Possible health effects for prolonged exposure to organic volatile compounds include nausea, headaches and damages to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system.
6. Greenhouse Gas
When nitrogen oxides meet volatile organic compounds and sunlight, ozone is created. If you think since atmospheric ozone is depleting, more ozone is good, think again. This low-level ozone is different from the one that is 20 miles from earth’s surface. Ground-level ozone stings the eyes, inflames the airways and harms the lungs. A study found that people living in cities with higher ozone levels s had a 30% higher risk of dying from lung disease.
7. Toxic Pesticide Fumes
Before reaching for a can of pesticide to terminate household pests, think of your life first. Pesticides don’t just kill insects, they also end up poisoning all living things. One way is through microscopic droplets of pesticide which are small and light enough to stay in the air. We eventually breathe these toxic chemicals into our lungs and kill ourselves slowly without ever knowing why.