Indoor Air Quality
UHCL
Teaching Environmental Sciences
Indoor Air Quality
Presented By: Magdy Akladios, PhD, PE, CSP, CPE, CSHM
Types of Air Contaminants
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Dust
Fibers
Fumes
Mists
Vapors
Gases
Smoke
1. Dusts
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A type of (Particulate Matter-PM)
Generated by mechanical action such as
rubbing, grinding, sanding, pulverizing, etc.
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
2. Fibers
• These are solid slender elongated structures
with the length being several times the diameter
• Example:
• Asbestos fibers
• Fiber glass
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3. Fumes
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These are volatilized solids that condenses in
cool air
<0.1 µm
Example:
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Lead (Pb)
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4. Mists
• These are suspended liquid droplets
• Generated from condensing of vapors back to
liquid state
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
5. Vapors
• Liquid changed to gas
• Example:
• Organic solvents
• Could also be Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
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6. Gases
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These are formless fluids that expand to
occupy a space
Examples:
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Carbon monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Ozone (O3)
Etc.
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7. Smoke
• Caused by burning or smoking
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
What is Indoor Air Pollution?
• Air pollutants that occur within buildings or other
enclosed spaces.
• Examples:
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Tobacco smoke
Cleaning agents
Wallboards
Carpets, and insulation
Skin, dust mites
Pet dander, etc.
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Indoor Air Pollution
The Facts
Indoor air pollution is
ranked in the top 5
environmental risks to
public health
Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
EPA studies show that the levels
of airborne pollutants may be 25100 × higher indoors than
outdoors due to poor ventilation
People spend 65% of their time in
their houses and 25% in other
indoor places
80%-90% of most people’s
exposure to pesticides occur
indoors
Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
Exposure to dust mites, cat
saliva, pet dander, and mold
causes about 200,000 visits to
the emergency room by asthma
patients
History
• 1967: Air Quality Act; established air quality regions in the U.S.
• 1970: Clean Air Act; legislation attempting to control air
pollution with a national air quality program
• 1973: A national energy crisis begins, eventually having an
impact on building standards (IAQ became a concern after the energy
crisis of the 70’s)
• 1977: Clean Air Act Amended; addresses coal usage and sets
a schedule for emissions reduction (There are no federal
standards for indoor air quality in homes or schools)
• 1985: EPA National Strategy for Toxic Air Pollutants; five
chemicals identified for more regulation
• 1988: Indoor Radon Abatement Act; establishes indoor air be
as free of radon as possible (Radon and environmental tobacco
smoke are the only pollutants that have been studied enough to
provide credible data)
• 1990: Clean Air Act Amended; addresses acid rain, toxic
emissions reduction and a schedule of attainment
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What are the Sources of IAP?
Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
Sources of IAP
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RESPIRATORY IRRITANTS IN BEDROOMS
• Air contains many particulates, such as:
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Pet dander
Insect parts and feces
Skin scales
Mold spores
Smoke
Fabric fibers
Bacteria
Pollen
Soot
Chemical fumes and fragrances
• These irritants are especially distressful to people who suffer
from asthma, allergies, lung disease, and infections.
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Dust Mites
• Every time you
squeeze a pillow,
shake a blanket, or
even just lie on your
bed, you are
releasing dust mites
and their feces into
the air.
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
How to get rid of Dust Mites
• Wash bedding and tumble pillows weekly
• Encase pillow, mattresses, and box
springs in dust mite allergen control
covers (they will keep moisture and skin
scales out and prevent existing allergens
from escaping)
• Keep stuffed animals off beds (they are
miniature pillows!)
• Dust and vacuum often (it's best to do this
before removing the bedding for washing)
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DOWN BEDDING
•Down feathers break down
into small, sharp airborne
fibers that can be inhaled
and irritate the respiratory
tract.
•Down comforters have also
been known to cause skin
irritation.
•Some dust mites love
down feathers and eating
skin scales
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Solution to Down Bedding
• Replace all down bedding, including down
pillows, with cotton or synthetic quilts or
bedspreads
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
Pets
•Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and other hairy creatures shed
dander and fur.
•Pets can also be carriers of other respiratory and skin irritants.
•Cats are especially good carriers (they enjoy crawling into
spaces, such as under houses where mold is rampant, and in
attics where there is insulation)
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Solutions to Pets
• If you have pets, keep them out of your
bedrooms.
• Avoid keeping caged pets, such as rabbits and
hamsters.
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Fish Tanks
• Dust mites love fish food
• This high-protein diet is used in laboratories to
grow dust mites
• Tank filters may leak, thereby creating a habitat
for mold
• Filtration and aeration systems placed inside
fish tanks can cause problems by creating
bubbles in the water that burst and disperse
algae and other bioaerosols into the air.
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
Solutions to Fish Tanks
• Avoid keeping a fish tank in the bedroom.
• Clean up any spilled fish food and spills
immediately and thoroughly
• Check often for water leaks
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CLOTHING
• Dust mites travel on clothing
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Solution to CLOTHING
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Dust mites travel on clothing
Never sleep in your "street" clothes.
Be sure to change into sleep ware before lying on your bed.
Do not allow children with lung ailments to play on their beds.
It's best to have a designated play area in your home where
respiratory irritants can be better controlled.
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
Pollutants Associated w/Remodeling
• Lead and other VOC’s (paint, sanding)
• Formaldehyde (preservatives, adhesives, glues,
fabric coatings from pressed wood products – wall
paneling and particle board)
• Wood Dust (sawing, sanding, demolition projects)
• Asbestos and Fiberglass (removing or adding A/C
and Heater insulation)
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Solutions for IAQ Problems During
Remodeling Projects
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Houses built <1978 may contain lead
Hire professionals for lead, or asbestos removal
Avoid creating wood dust by misting or spraying wood
If using an electrical saw use an attached exhaust duct
Make sure that adequate temperature and humidity levels
are maintained to avoid emissions from newly installed
cabinetry or furniture
Be an educated buyer
Wear proper PPE (dust masks, respirators, gloves, safety
glasses, etc)
Isolate family members
Provide as much ventilation as needed (i.e. open all
windows, turn up A/C, use electrical fans, etc)
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MOLD
Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
CAN MOLD KILL?
• Where there is moisture, there is mold.
• Some molds and mold byproducts can
be very dangerous to some people, but
exposure does not automatically mean
people will get sick and die
• Some molds can cause a rare, serious
lung condition called Aspergilliosis, which
can be deadly
• People at risk??
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Dust and Mold
• Dust carries mold spores and contains
many other mold-laden particles
• Inhaling large concentrations of dust with
mold spores may cause lung irritation
and in some instances a more serious
condition called hypersensitivity
pneumonitis
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Solutions to MOLD GROWTH PREVENTION
• Never ignore signs of mold problems, moisture, or water
damage
• Where bathrooms are connected to bedrooms, avoid taking
long, hot showers
• Do not go to bed with wet hair
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
Air Currents
•Dust mites travel on clothing and their
allergens are carried in air currents
•Keep doors closed when possible to prevent
air currents from traveling from room to room
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Typical Cleaning Agents Are
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Corrosive
Poisonous if swallowed
Irritants to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract
May cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if
ingested
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DO NOT MIX CHEMICALS
•Mixed chemicals form chemical reactions
•They can produce harmful gases
•Do not mix:
•Bleach and ammonia
•Bleach and acid (toilet bowl cleaner)
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
The Dangers of Mixing Bleach and Ammonia
• Household bleach has a chemical formula of NaOCl
• Ammonia has a chemical formula of NH3
• The combination is
2NaOCl + 2NH3 --> 2NaONH3 + Cl2
• One part chlorine gas is liberated from the bleach
• How severe? Chlorine gas was used in WWI and
Nazi Germany in WWII
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AIR FRESHENERS
• They interfere with your ability to smell by releasing
nerve-deadening agents or coating nasal passages
with an oil film
• Toxic chemicals found in air fresheners:
• Formaldehyde (a highly toxic, known carcinogen)
• Phenol (when phenol touches your skin it can
cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives)
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Alternatives
• Soap and water
• Baking soda as a mild abrasive
• For Ovens:
• Heat oven to 200°F, turn off, leave small dish of ammonia in
oven overnight, then wipe oven with damp cloth and baking
soda
• For Drains:
• Keep sink strainers in good condition
• For Drains:
• use plunger, plumber’s snake, vinegar and baking soda
followed by boiling water
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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Indoor Air Quality
Conclusion: What can YOU do?
• Be weary during periods of high humidity
and temperatures
- concentrations of pollutants may
increase
• Limit use of combustion products and
store outside
• Have good ventilation
• Check for faulty/dirty HVAC sources,
unusual odors or stale air
• Pay attention to symptoms such as eye,
nose, and throat irritation, dizziness,
headaches, or fatigue
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Presented By: Dr. Magdy Akladios
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