Is indoor air more polluted than outdoor air?

In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.

What are some examples of outdoor and indoor pollution?

Indoor and Outdoor Pollution

  • Pesticides and mold. Carbon Monoxide and radon. Lead and asbestos.
  • Congestion, sneezing, and runny nose. Respiratory infections such as sinusitis. Pneumonia and decreased lung function such as bronchitis.
  • Carbon monoxide. Household cleaning chemicals. Cooking appliances.
  • Lead. Pet dander.

Which type of pollution is worse indoor or outdoor air pollution?

indoor air
Therefore, the quality of indoor air may be even more important than outdoor quality because of exposure time to pollution. According to the EPA, indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than outdoor air quality, especially with regards to airborne chemicals.

What causes indoor and outdoor pollution?

Other substances in indoor air are of natural origin, such as radon, mold, and pet dander. Outdoor sources: Outdoor air pollutants can enter buildings through open doors, open windows, ventilation systems, and cracks in structures. Some pollutants come indoors through building foundations.

Why is indoor air pollution a problem?

Indoor air pollution is dust, dirt, or gases in the air inside buildings such as your home or workplace that could be harmful to breathe in. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to lung diseases like asthma, COPD and lung cancer. It has also been linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

What causes indoor pollution?

Most indoor air pollution comes from sources that release gases or particles into the air. Things such as building materials and air fresheners give off pollution constantly. Other sources such as tobacco smoke and wood-burning stoves also cause indoor pollution. Some indoor air pollutants have been around for years.

What are the outdoor air pollutants?

The common sources of outdoor air pollution are emissions caused by combustion processes from motor vehicles, solid fuel burning and industry. Other pollution sources include smoke from bushfires, windblown dust, and biogenic emissions from vegetation (pollen and mould spores).

What are the effects of outdoor air pollution?

For example, outdoor air pollution: Is associated with a number of human health effects including heart attacks, asthma attacks, bronchitis, hospital and emergency room visits, work and school days lost, restricted activity days, respiratory symptoms, and premature mortality.

What do you mean by indoor pollution?

What are indoor air pollution causes?

What is meant by outdoor air pollution?

Content 1. ​Outdoor air is often referred to as ambient air. The common sources of outdoor air pollution are emissions caused by combustion processes from motor vehicles, solid fuel burning and industry.