Indoor air-pollution and health: formaldehyde and asthma
Michael Halim
19/12/2013
Indoor Air-pollution and health
Introduction:
We are living things that need to breathe, no doubt of that. Every few seconds we need to inhale a small quantity of air. Unfortunately, the air we breathe in has become more and more polluted owning to a multitude of factors such as: increase in number of vehicles, increase usage of synthetic materials for buildings and homes, lack of awareness towards potentially hazardous microorganisms such as fungi and so on. Air pollutants – any one of them, is undoubtedly a serious threat to our health. According to statistics conducted by the World Health Organization, the incidence of health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, sick building syndrome, pneumonia, all attributable to air pollution, have increased significantly over the past few decades.
We spend the majority of our time indoors, be it in our home, office or school. According to the perception of most people, “pollution” refers to the air that they breathe outdoors. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes that the air they breathe indoors is estimated to be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air (Environmental Protection Agency). Indoor pollutants are associated to symptoms such as irritation of throat, lungs, headache and fatigue. Diseases including asthma, pneumonia, legionnaires disease have been traced to building related problems.
In this essay I will write about two indoor pollutants – formaldehyde and fungi, and the health problems that are associated with them.
Formaldehyde:
What is formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is an organic compound (an aldehyde) that has a strong pungent odor. It is used in many products such as solvents, plywood, carpets, and foam insulation. Formaldehyde is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC). VOC’s are chemicals that vaporize and become gas at room temperature. “Off-gassing” refers to the process in which products, containing formaldehyde, releases
19/12/2013
Indoor Air-pollution and health
Introduction:
We are living things that need to breathe, no doubt of that. Every few seconds we need to inhale a small quantity of air. Unfortunately, the air we breathe in has become more and more polluted owning to a multitude of factors such as: increase in number of vehicles, increase usage of synthetic materials for buildings and homes, lack of awareness towards potentially hazardous microorganisms such as fungi and so on. Air pollutants – any one of them, is undoubtedly a serious threat to our health. According to statistics conducted by the World Health Organization, the incidence of health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, sick building syndrome, pneumonia, all attributable to air pollution, have increased significantly over the past few decades.
We spend the majority of our time indoors, be it in our home, office or school. According to the perception of most people, “pollution” refers to the air that they breathe outdoors. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes that the air they breathe indoors is estimated to be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air (Environmental Protection Agency). Indoor pollutants are associated to symptoms such as irritation of throat, lungs, headache and fatigue. Diseases including asthma, pneumonia, legionnaires disease have been traced to building related problems.
In this essay I will write about two indoor pollutants – formaldehyde and fungi, and the health problems that are associated with them.
Formaldehyde:
What is formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is an organic compound (an aldehyde) that has a strong pungent odor. It is used in many products such as solvents, plywood, carpets, and foam insulation. Formaldehyde is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC). VOC’s are chemicals that vaporize and become gas at room temperature. “Off-gassing” refers to the process in which products, containing formaldehyde, releases
References: Garrett MH, Hooper MA, Hooper BM, Rayment PR, Abramson MJ. Increased risk of allergy in children due to formaldehyde exposure in homes. Allergy. 1999;54:330–337.