Indoor Air Pollution

December 15, 2011 at 10:15 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Half of the world’s population is exposed to Indoor air pollution , mainly from burning solid fuels from cooking and heating, such as firewood and cow dung. Approximately 36% of  lower respiratory infection and  22% of  chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is attributed to indoor pollutants, making indoor pollution an urgent issue that affects everyone!

Makes you wonder what is being done?

Because most pollutions occur in the home, it is hard to establish clear regulations:

• Eliminate lead paint
• Reduce the production and use of carpets containing formaldehyde
• Banning some asbestos- containing products
• Encourage smoke free-homes

On a more public level governments and public health officials have been promoting  that individuals seeking professional help to monitor mold, Carbon monixide and other contaminants, ensure the promotion of adequate ventilation, as well as advocating laws banning smoking in public places to reduce the effect of Second hand smoking.

There have been several studies done to show the significance and the effect of this problem. For instance, In-Home Particle Concentrations and Childhood Asthma Morbidity, is a study performed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University which established

that a substantial increases in asthma symptoms were associated both with higher indoor concentrations of fine particles and with higher indoor concentrations of coarse particles.

Indoor air pollution, is a persisting public health issue. Many studies on diseases and side effects have been published to emphasize the  importance of paying this issue attention so that our children, mothers and families are protected from risks as they do the most basic of biological functions, breathing.