Menace of Indoor Pollution

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When we refer to the concept of pollution, what picture come to our mind?  Those of smokes and fumes emitted by factory chimneys and vehicles.  Wastes, industrial as well as domestic which clutter our rivers, lakes, lagoons and dumping grounds.  Noise in any form all around us.  Chemicals that find their way through the soil and end up in the sea.  All these poison the air we breath.  Yet few people realize that the air we breath inside our homes is equally dangerous.

Indoor pollution has for long been regarded as the least important of all types of environmental pollution in our country.  But the indoor environment provides an active field of action for a host of air-borne pollutants ranging from chemical effluents to the more traditional by products of smoking, cooking and heating.  Indoor pollution can be as toxic and as much of a nuisance as outdoor pollution.

People exposed to indoor pollutants over a long period of time may become more vulnerable to outdoor air pollutants.  Such groups include the young, the elderly and the chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory and cardio vascular diseases.

Tobacco smoke is one of the major sources of indoor pollution is one of  the major sources of indoor air contamination.  Inhalation of this smoke is commonly termed as second hand smoking or passive smoking, unintentional inhalation by non-smokers is inevitable.

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In our modern urban way of living people spend a considerable share of the time on air-conditioned offices.  Given the thrust on energy- efficiency, in air-conditioned buildings the level of ventilation with the external environment is rather low.  There, pollutants are often re-circulated indefinitely and may end up becoming lethal.   

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The average house in a town or city contains a high range of aerosol products.  While these goods may have made way of life more convenient in many ways, they present potential hazards that may not be recognized by the user.  The people who suffer more are those who spend the most of the time indoors, women, very young children, invalid and persons over 65 years of age.

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At room temperature volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids.  These include pesticides, solvents and leaning agents paint and paint strippers.  Products used in home, office, school and arts and hobby activities emit a wide range of volatile organic compounds.  These products include scents, hair-sprays, rugs, oven -cleaners, dry-cleaning fluids, home furnishing, office material  like copiers, certain printers, correction fluids and paint.

Enamels emit toxic chemicals.  In fact lead dust of fumes from paints can cause mental retardation and learning disabilities in children, apart from raising blood pressure and damaging the brain, kidneys and nervous system.  During summers, the blades of a fan collect dust particles, which are reservoirs of fungi and bacteria.  The fashion of using aerosol perfumes, air fresheners and deodorizers is harmful and risky for health.  Pleasant looking cosmetics like nail varnish contain chemicals that cause headache, respiratory problems, lung irritation and cancer.  The tragedy of all this is that these products are slowly killing people, and yet they are unaware of this.

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We should therefore pay a closer attention to our indoor environment, both by regulating the pollution sources as well as by increasing household ventilation to dilute the harmful effects of indoor pollution.  One can argue that, like charity, preventive steps should begin at home.  Only then home will continue to be 'sweet home'.

Lovely Regards,

Andriano