The term, pollution, is used mostly to refer to contamination of the outdoor environment. Some of the most dangerous sources of pollution, however, are chemicals that are commonly used or found inside our homes and offices. While some sources of indoor pollution are impossible to miss because of their strong odors or other features, others are impossible to detect, and often go unnoticed until it is too late.
Formaldehyde
If you have carpeting on the floors of your home or office, you probably are being exposed to formaldehyde, which is also used in plywood, glue, and particle board, including cabinets. Exposure to formaldehyde causes skin and respiratory irritation, as well as possible chromosomal damage, according to the National Ag Safety Database at Clemson University. The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists formaldehyde as a known carcinogen -- a cause of cancer in humans.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that are emitted from solids and liquids as gases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentration of VOCs can be 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. Paints, lacquers, pesticides, printer cartridges, and permanent markers are all sources of VOCs. The effects of VOCs range from irritation of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat to damage to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, but potentially lethal to humans and household pets. Gas stoves are a common source of carbon monoxide, along with charcoal grills and improperly maintained furnaces. Carbon monoxide also enters homes with attached garages through exhaust from car engines, lawn mowers, and other gasoline-powered machinery. Each year, approximately 1,500 Americans die from carbon-monoxide poisoning, with 900 deaths occurring in homes, according to the Centers for Disease Control
Asbestos
In the past, asbestos was a commonly used building material for insulation and fireproofing. The EPA has banned the use of asbestos in many products, however, while manufacturers have voluntarily eliminated asbestos from many other products. As a result, asbestos is largely limited to older homes as well as damaged fireproofing or acoustic materials in commercial and manufacturing buildings. Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the membrane that covers many of the internal organs of the body, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Radon
Radon is a contributing factor in an estimated 7,000 to 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year, with smokers more vulnerable to its effects, according to the EPA. Radon is present in soil and well water beneath the foundations of buildings. Symptoms of radon exposure include headaches, and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Radon exposure is also implicated in heart disease, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
References
- Environmental Protection Agency: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- National Cancer Institute: Mesothelioma -- Questions and Answers
- Environmental Protection Agency: The Inside Story -- A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
- ExtoxNet FAQs: Carbon Monoxide
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Indoor Air Quality -- General
