Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor Air Pollution
Name
Course
Professor
Date
Indoor Air Pollution
Table of Contents.
1 Abstract
2 Problem Statement
3 Method
4 Findings/Discussion & Recommendations.
1 Air fresheners
2 Non Stick cookware
3 Plastic bottles
4 Conventional cleaning supplies
5 insecticide or herbicide
6 Chemical fertilizers
7 Flame retardants
8 mothballs
9 Pressed wood products
10 Laser printers
Lead paint
5 Conclusion
6 References
Abstract
In an attempt to make the home a pleasant environment with wonderful aroma, humans have come up with assortment ofchemical products. These chemicals work but on the other hand they are detrimental to health. They cause indoor air pollution. For instance air fresheners. Information about indoor air pollution was obtained from research of published works on indoor air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A) was also a useful source in doing the research. The results indicate the harmful effects of chemical products used in our homes and it is recommended to switch to natural ways of cleaning or perfuming our homes such as the use of cinnamon as a air freshener and vinegar for cleaning (Godish 1989).
Problem Statement
With the increased need for more comfort in our homes today and making our homes more habitable, through trying to improve air quality through the use of chemicals such as air fresheners, we have brought home unknowingly chemicals with have detrimental effects on our health. This results to indoor pollution. Method
In coming years most American homes will be customized so as to improve their energy efficiency and hence make them environmental friendly. This integrated energy efficient and healthy home can at the same time significantly improve indoor quality of air and lower the utility costs.
So as to carry out this customization without affecting negatively the indoor air quality, appropriate home assessment has to be made before work commences and issues that may affect the indoor air are identified and addressed with digression. To enhance this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A) made valuable effort and developed Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades so as to make available practical guidance on maintenance and improvement of indoor environments especially air quality energy upgrades, remodeling, customizing or retrofits. It can also help in improvement of home weatherization projects thus reducing call-backs and failures (Miller 1998).
Findings, Discussion and Recommendations
Air fresheners
Various products intended to improve air quality in our home actually have the reverse effect. These are such as air fresheners. When used in excess or probably in small unventilated areas, these can realize release of toxic levels of pollutants. These are a result of two major chemicals known as terpenes and ethylene-based glycol ethers. The ethers are regarded by EPA as toxic while the non- toxic terpenes react with the ozone layer to form a poisonous compound. The air fresheners especially a linked to many unstable organic compounds such as nitrogen (iv) oxide and others contain a harmful chemical called paradichlorobenzene (Samet 1991).
Due to this incredible toxicity, they can easily aggravate respiratory problems such as asthma. Even those that are labeled asnatural or pure have been discovered to be containing phthalates. These are dangerous chemicals that have been found to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects or even reproductive problems.
It`s recommendable to try boiling pot of water with a few drops of one`s favorite essential oil on a stove or else use an essential oil burner. One can also try simmering cloves and cinnamon to give your home baking scent.
Air Fresheners are just but an example of the dangerous everyday household items. Research has evidently brought to our attention various top dangerous items in our households. They are as discussed below;
Non Stick cookware, when these were introduced in American households about 40 years ago, they were unbelievable. From research, the ease in cleaning comes with a price. The coating that makes these Teflon pans non-stick releases toxic gasses that have been linked to reproductive damage, organ failure, cancer and various harmful health effects. This non-stick coating is polytetrafluouroethylene (PTFE).
Since the problem with this PTFE-coated pan occurs only at high temperatures, it`s recommendable to use th...