Indoor Air Quality

For information about Hartford and Indoor Air, click here.

What are the sources of indoor air pollutants?

Indoor air pollution is caused by several factors:

• Sources that release gases or particles into the air
  • Fuels and other combustion (burning) sources: oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco
  • Building materials: insulation that contains asbestos, wet carpets, furniture made from some pressed wood products, old lead-based paint
  • Household supplies: cleaning and maintenance products, personal care products
  • Air systems: central heating and air conditioning systems, humidifiers
  • Outdoor sources that come indoors: pesticides and outdoor air pollution
  • Other: pet dander
• Poor ventilation, which fails to bring in enough fresh air and send pollutants outside
• High temperature and humidity can increase the concentrations of some pollutants

What are Hartford's risk factors?

Many of the sources of indoor pollution are related to the age and condition of buildings. Hartford, with many old and deteriorating buildings, is at risk for many indoor air problems. Sources include:

Deteriorating lead-based paint in old housing. See the Lead Poisoning section of this Website. Poorly adjusted or poorly vented gas stoves Malfunctioning or leaky furnaces or chimneys Asbestos in old floor tiles or insulation Poorly vented space heaters Cleaning fluids that contain solvents Pesticides Damp, poorly ventilated kitchens and bathrooms

Indoor air quality is a concern not just for Hartford homes, but also for Hartford schools, many of which suffer from these problems.

It should be noted that radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is an indoor pollutant in some parts of Connecticut, is not a problem in Hartford.

What are some of the common indoor air pollutants?

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas. It comes from burning oil, gas, kerosene, coal, and wood. Common household sources include:

• Gas stoves
• Unvented gas and kerosene space heaters
• Leaking chimneys and furnaces
• Gas water heaters
• Woodstoves and fireplaces
• Cars

Carbon monoxide interferes with the transfer of oxygen to the blood supply and can cause people to lose consciousness. Symptoms of exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide include dizziness or headache, upset stomach, fatigue, confusion, long-lasting cough, and irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. It may cause flu-like symptoms that go away after the person leaves the area. At very high concentrations, carbon monoxide can kill people.

To reduce the risk of indoor exposure to carbon monoxide:

• The home or apartment furnace should be serviced each year by a trained professional.
• The chimney should be cleaned each year by a trained professional.
• Space heaters should be used only in well-ventilated locations.
• Do not use gas stoves to heat homes.
• Drivers should never start cars in a garage unless the garage door is open.
• Drivers should not keep cars running inside a garage that is attached to the home.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Environmental tobacco smoke, also known as secondhand smoke, is a combination of more than 4,000 chemical compounds, of which more than 40 are known to cause cancer in people. It introduces both gas and particles that contaminate indoor air. Cigarette, cigar, and tobacco pipe smoking are the sources of tobacco smoke indoors.

A 1992 EPA report concluded that environmental tobacco smoke was responsible for 3,000 deaths each year from lung cancer in adults who did not smoke. The report also stated that tobacco smoke caused between 150,000 and 300,000 respiratory infections in babies under 18 months old, resulting in between 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations each year. Infants and children who are exposed to tobacco smoke may also get more middle-ear infections. Older children may suffer reduced lung function.

Exposure to environmental tobacco may cause thousands of children to develop asthma each year. In children who already have asthma, environmental tobacco smoke may increase the number and severity of asthma attacks.

Environmental tobacco smoke may also contribute to heart disease.

Symptoms that indicate an individual is having an adverse reaction to tobacco smoke may include a stuffy nose, persistent cough, headache, trouble breathing, and an asthma attack.

To reduce exposure to environmental tobacco:

• If possible, do not allow any tobacco smoke in the home
• If there are smokers in the home, try to make sure they smoke outdoors
• If someone does smoke inside the home
  • Open windows or use exhaust fans to improve ventilation
  • Try to ensure that they do not smoke when infants or young children are nearby

Volatile and Semivolatile Organic Compounds

Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds include a variety of chemicals that are found in many household products. They are chemicals that evaporate fairly easily into the air. Some are flammable.

The compounds that are commonly listed on the product labels are

• Petroleum distillates
• Mineral spirits
• Chlorinated solvents
• Carbon tetrachloride
• Methylene chloride
• Trichloroethane
• Toluene
• Formaldehyde

These chemicals are commonly found in Aerosol sprays, such as hair spray and air fresheners Rug and oven cleaners Paints and paint strippers Pesticides Dry cleaning fluids Building materials and home furnishings Craft materials such as glues and permanent markers Cleaning products Subflooring and paneling

Formaldehyde was formerly used in insulation and is still often found in wood finishes, plywood, paneling, particleboard, furniture and cabinets, permanent press fabrics, draperies, and mattress ticking.

To prevent exposure to formaldehyde, you can cover particleboard surfaces, such as cabinets, countertops, and drawers, with plastic laminate, varnish, or special sealants.

Pesticides sold for household use, especially in pest strips and foggers, are a source of semivolatile organic compounds. Even when sprayed pesticides are used as directed, people may breathe in pollutants from the spray mist or from contaminated dust. Children who touch contaminated surfaces are especially likely to be exposed.

Symptoms of pesticide exposure may include headache, skin rashes, fatigue, and nose or throat irritation. Long-term exposure can cause loss of coordinate, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Some of these compounds may cause cancer.

To reduce possible exposure to these substances:

• Whenever possible, try to avoid using products that contain these chemicals
• When you must use them, read product labels carefully and follow the warnings
• Choose products that are packaged to reduce the likelihood of spills and leaks and that are resistant to children's tampering
• Use products only for their intended purpose
• Be sure to provide good ventilation, by opening windows where possible
• Leave products in their original containers so that you keep the directions for use and any safety information, including poison control information
• For pesticides, if possible, leave the house or building after they have been applied

Biological Air Pollutants

Biological air pollutants include bacteria and viruses, molds, mildew, animal dander and saliva, dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen. They are common in homes, schools and workplaces. Sources include Humans Pets Humid conditions Outdoor air Standing water

Symptoms that indicate an individual is having an adverse reaction to biological air pollutants include sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, tiredness, fever, and digestive problems.

To reduce exposure to biological contaminants:

• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens
• Vent clothes dryers outside
• Clean evaporation trays under refrigerator frequently
• Eliminate standing water
• Remove water-damaged carpeting and other materials
• Try to keep living space relatively dry (relative humidity of 30-50%)
• Keep the house clean
• If possible, use air filters to reduce the levels of dust mites, mold and animal dander in indoor air

Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was formerly used in building products to increase their strength of products, to provide insulation, and to slow down fires. Asbestos has been banned from many products because exposure to its small particles can cause cancers and other serious lung disease.

Asbestos is still found in older homes, especially in pipe and furnace insulation, millboard, floor tiles, shingles and siding, and textured paints. Asbestos may be found in old stove-top pads or ironing board covers. Products manufactured today with asbestos are required to be labeled as such.

If the asbestos material in your home is in good condition and will not be disturbed, the best course of action is to leave it alone. Check it periodically to look for tears or water damage, because damaged asbestos may release fibers into the air. Do not cut, tear, or sand asbestos-containing materials.

If the asbestos material is not in good condition, you can have it repaired or removed. This job should be done by a trained professional, because trying to remove the material incorrectly can put a lot of asbestos fibers into the air.

Why is indoor air quality in schools a special concern?

Indoor air quality of schools is a concern for several reasons:

• Young children are usually more sensitive than adults to air pollutants
• The presence of asthma triggers creates a greater risk of asthma attacks for children
• Exposure to air pollutants can reduce the ability of teachers, students, and staff to concentrate, thus damaging both teaching and learning experiences

School themselves may have special sources of pollution not found in homes or many other buildings. Science laboratories, machine shops, woodworking shops, kitchens, art studios, and copy and printing facilities may all put pollutants into the air. If building are in poor repair, moisture from leaking roofs or poorly functioning heating and ventilation systems can encourage mold and mildew, which can get into the air.

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering recently looked at the indoor air quality of Connecticut schools. It noted that 68% of Connecticut schools have reported problems in the indoor environment. These problems often come from:

• Poor building design and construction, especially flat roofs and concrete slabs
• Failure to follow establish codes
• Inadequate ventilation
• Moisture that encourages the growth of molds and other biological pollutants
• Poorly designed, maintained, and operated heating and ventilation systems
• Renovations during the school year, which can create large quantifies of indoor pollutants that can spread throughout the school
• Use of carpeting, adhesive, and synthetic materials that release odors and volatile organic compounds
• Modular portable classrooms often have inadequate ventilation systems.

The Connecticut School Indoor Environment Resource Team, an informal coalition of federal, state, and nonprofit agencies, has formed to improve air quality in schools throughout the state. Its members include representatives of state agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations.

Contact:
Connecticut School Indoor Environment Resource Team
C/o Connecticut Council on Occupational Safety and Health
77 Huyshope Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
860-549-1877