Major Sources of Indoor Pollution
According to the Ministry of Health, substances capable of affecting indoor air quality can be classified as chemical, physical, and biological agents; some originate from outside (pollution, fine particulate matter, atmospheric dust, pollen, etc.), but many are produced by indoor sources, making adequatehome air treatmentnecessary to improve indoor air quality.
The main sources of indoor pollution are:
- Occupants(people, animals)
- Dust(an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms)
- Structures and Building Materials
- Furnishings and Finishes
- Home appliances(air conditioners, humidifiers, plumbing systems).
| SOURCES | POLLUTANTS |
|---|---|
| Gas or coal-fired combustion processes for heating and/or cooking, wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, vehicle exhaust gases | Combustion products *CO, NOx,SO2, particulate matter |
| Building Materials and Insulation | Asbestos, artificial glass fibers, particulate matter, radon; Biological agents (due to the presence of moisture and/or dust) |
| Wall coverings and carpeting | formaldehyde, acrylates, VOCs, and biological agents (due to the presence of moisture and/or dust) |
| Furnishings | Formaldehyde, VOCs, and biological agents (due to the presence of moisture and/or dust) |
| Liquids and Cleaning Products | alcohols, phenols, VOCs |
| Copiers | ozone (O₃), toner dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) |
| Cigarette smoke | polycyclic hydrocarbons, VOCs, formaldehyde, CO, fine particulate matter |
| Air Conditioning Systems | CO2and VOCs (due to insufficient air changes per hour or excessive recirculation); Biological agents (due to lack of cleaning/maintenance) |
| Powder | Biological agents (indoor allergens > dust mites) |
| Individuals | CO2and Biological Agents (bacteria, viruses, etc.) |
| Animals | Indoor allergens (pet dander, etc.) |
| Natural sources (lava, tuff, granite, etc.) | Rado |
Residential Air Treatment and Air Quality
Generally, as the number of people in a confined space increases and in the absence of adequate ventilation, air quality deteriorates, leading to higher concentrations of bio-emissions and necessitatingresidential air treatmentsolutions to improve the well-being of the occupants.
Carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary metabolic gas produced by humans, is an indicator of indoor air quality. People contribute to biological pollution through skin shedding and the emission of saliva droplets, which can carry infectious agents. Pets also release pollutants such as hair, dandruff, and saliva.
Occupant Activities and Indoor Air Treatment
Combustion Processes and Their Impact on Air Quality
Many human activities contribute to indoor air pollution.Secondhand tobacco smoke (ETS)is one of the main risk factors, as it releases toxic and carcinogenic substances. In addition, combustion processes associated withcookingandheatingincrease the concentration of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NO and NO₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO).
The growing use ofwood-burning stoves and fireplaceshas drawn the attention of the scientific community due to emissions of hazardous chemical pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fine carbonaceous particulate matter (soot), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Adequate ventilation and effectiveindoor air treatmentcan reduce these risks.
Other indoor sources of pollution includecleaning products,pesticides,solvents, and office equipment such asprinters, plotters, and photocopiers, which release fine particulate matter and potentially harmful chemical compounds.