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Indoor Air Pollution
Is Your Worst Enemy According to Recent Researches
Air is a mixture of several gases, mostly nitrogen and
oxygen. The air has no color, no smell, and no taste. Pure air has vital role
in all living beings; we cannot live without it. Unfortunately, the air we
breathe is not always pure. The air is polluted by solid particles: dust, sand,
soot, etc. Air pollution is not a game; it causes respiratory diseases and
death. The indoor air pollution is a real public health issue. It is
responsible for large numbers of diseases in United States. To optimize indoor
air we breathe in our house or office, it is important to add an air
purification system.
Below are some of the pollutants that can cause diseases and
death
Heavy metals – Heavy metals include a family of compounds
quite extensive; the most common is the lead, most located in the particle,
with the exception of mercury (gas). The main metals suspected are Arsenic
(As), Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). They
come from burning coal, oil, garbage and some industrial processes (Non Ferrous
Metals in particular). The metals accumulate in the body and cause toxic
effects. They can affect the nervous system, kidney function, liver,
respiratory, etc.. The potential toxic and carcinogenic, however, varies
considerably from one compound to another.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) - Sulphur dioxide (SO2) comes mainly
from combustion of fossil fuels, volcanic eruptions, biomass burning. Coal
burning is the single largest man-made source of sulphur dioxide, accounting
for about 50% of annual global emissions, with oil burning accounting for a
further 25 to 30%. It is an irritant gas, colorless and soluble in water.
Health effects caused by exposure to high levels of SO2 include
breathing problems, respiratory illness, changes in the lung's defences, and
worsening respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Nitrogen oxides (NOX) - These compounds are formed by
oxidation of nitrogen (N 2) during combustion (mainly at high temperature) of
fuel at high temperatures. Nitrogen oxides, with volatile organic compounds,
are involved in the formation of the photo-oxidising pollution and ozone in the
lower atmosphere. It penetrates the respiratory system and may, from 200 μ g.m
- 3, lead to impaired lung function and bronchial hyper-reactivity in
asthmatics. In children, it increases the sensitivity of the bronchial
microbial infections.
Carbon monoxide (CO) - Traffic represents the main source of
carbon monoxide. It comes from Unvented kerosene, gas water heaters, wood
stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered
equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke.
Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or
kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Because it
is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before
you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild
effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches,
dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue
Dust - airborne dust from certain industrial processes
(cremations, quarries, cement), domestic heating in winter but mostly in car
traffic near roads. The finer (<5 μ m) penetrates the alveoli and may,
especially in children, irritate the respiratory tract or impair lung function.
Ozone (O3) - Ozone is a colorless gas and a
powerful oxidant penetrating easily to alveoli. It causes, from prolonged
exposure of 150 to 200 μ g.m - 3, eye irritations, headaches, coughing and
impaired lung especially among children and asthmatics. Physical exercise may
worsen the effects.
What can you do?
- ventilate all parts of the house and do so
regularly,
- Use decorative products to be low emission of pollutants
- Do not smoke inside your home especially when there are children
- Pay attention to maintenance products that you use and respect the
doses
- And the most important, Use air cleaners. Our Air cleaners deliver a
complete filtration solution, removing a wide variety of particles, sub-micron
particles, chemicals, gases, micro-organisms and odors. This includes such
things as dust, mold, pollen, tobacco smoke, chemical vapors, gases, viruses
and bacteria. To learn more about air cleaners, and how to save 5%, Visit our home air cleaners website.
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