Indoor places, especially our homes, expose us to indoor pollution which could eventually result in major health problems. This paper will tackle the various sources of pollution in our indoor environment, the possible health effects they could have and steps people should take in order to assure good indoor air quality.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
There are various sources of pollutants that are associated with Indoor Air Pollution (IAP):
Combustion sources e.g. oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution. (Publication 1)
Of specific concern among others are: formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, naphthalene and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (SCHER 17). Once the sources emit particles or gases to the air, pollution could further be enhanced by insufficient ventilation, high temperature and humidity levels (Publications 1). Some effects could be seen immediately while others are more long term and are due to increased exposure.
Health Risks Associated with Indoor Air Pollution
Children, expectant mothers, the elderly and the convalescents are particularly likely to be affected because they spend most of their times indoors (SCHER 11). Effects like irritation of eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue (SCHER 21) are some of the immediate results which can be treated easily. Other effects by various sources include respiratory disorders like asthma, coughing, wheezing, irritation to upper and lower respiratory tracts; allergies, fatigue etc (SCHER 21). With the above health risks identified, solutions to having good indoor air quality should be undertaken.
Solutions to Improved Indoor Air Quality
Before the solutions are put in place, one should be able to fully establish that there is a problem with the air quality. Some important identification methods include: symptoms of the above health risks, location of sources of pollution, personal daily life and ventilation disorders e.g. stuffiness, presence of mold, moisture on windows or walls (Publications 1).
Once sources of pollution have been identified, it is more effective to deal with each specifically; however there are general agreeable methods that could be undertaken to enhance air quality. Improving ventilation in the homes (or any indoor place) and use of air cleaners which are responsible for particle removal (Publication 1).
For biological contaminants such as molds and mildew, controlling relative humidity is important; for combustion sources, exhaust fans, chimneys and furnaces are advisable in helping to reduce emission of particles; for organic chemicals such as paints, limiting use and exposure is essential; for formaldehyde whose source is mainly pressed wood, using exterior-grade products reduces exposure; for asbestos, if the material is not prone to disturbance, it should be left like that otherwise, experts should be called to deal with it (Publications 1).
Smoking of tobacco indoors is highly discouraged and building materials used should be those certified to emit low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) should be used (NACA 1). In the case where the source is persistent and no amicable solution is present, reducing exposure is the best way of handling the situation.
Conclusion
With all these precautions taken and all other considerations put in place, one is ensured to have a home with good air quality and hence exposures to unnecessary health risks are also avoided.
Works Cited
NACA. Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution. National Asthma Council Australia, 2011. Web.
Publications. The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. EPA Organization, 2011. Web.
The use of diesel power generator as an alternative source of energy is facing yet another hurdle as EPA enforces new environmental laws to be adhered to by all operators. As Labno (2010) observes, the newly instituted National Ambient Air Quality Standard is a real threat to the main users such as institutions and industries. The new regulation is aimed at reducing the volume of Nitrogen oxides emitted in the atmosphere at any given time by the major users of diesel generators.
Diesel engine generators have several merits ranging from meeting the power loads during peak time to ease with which they can be operated and maintained. Although this appliance presents additional cost, its popularity has grown and attracted large number of users perhaps due to the ability of the device to deliver power without delay whenever there is interruption of electricity. Nonetheless, concerns over air quality are gradually gripping in especially in regard to the use of diesel power as a quick solution to emergency power demands. Although diesel generated power has been found to be largely convenient, the threat posed to the environment by a string of harmful emissions cannot be ignored. Both the by-products and much of the end products when diesel undergoes combustion are not friendly to the environment. They include oxides of nitrogen which are mainly acidic in nature, the toxic carbon monoxide that may irritate as well as lead to suffocation in addition to organic compounds that are highly volatile and toxic to the environment.
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards should be set by EPA in line with the existing legislations such as the Clean Air Act and Amendments.
These standards are not fixed but are reviewed regularly whenever there is need. For instance, the one-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards stipulated for all emissions of gaseous nitrogenous compounds was adopted in April 2010. Nonetheless, the use of diesel generators only when demand for power is at its peak seems to meet the current yearly requirement on emission quotas. The only challenge is the hourly compliance which may be quite an uphill task to accomplish owing to strenuous need to install compatible systems within industry or institutional establishments. Worse still, the new rules may be financially prohibitive as far the use of diesel generators is concerned due to the cost element. Furthermore, the addition of pollution control units will multiply the initial set up and installation costs of diesel generators that fully adhere to the one-hour requirement. These higher expectations by the environmental agency, EPA only requires the diesel power generation as the best alternative albeit the costs involved.
Hence, professional expertise is necessary in the process of installing diesel generators with EPA standards (Labno, 2010). In addition, it is imperative to allow adequate duration for certain environmental processes to be undertaken. Better still, all the available modeling alternatives such as the ambient air modeling ought to be explored so that the impacts of nitrogen oxides emitted by the appliance can be established in advance.
In recap, it is vital to reiterate that although the new EPA standards on air quality are quite stringent, the ever rising need for power back up facilities and high demand during peaking periods still necessitates diesel power generation as the best and readily available alternative. The impacts of emitting nitrogenous and carbon compounds into the atmosphere cannot be overemphasized; it is all evident in our environment today. It is upon energy producers who rely on diesel power to brace up for the difficult times of sticking to the one-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards Act.
Reference
Labno, B. (2010). EPA Rules Pose a Concern for Peaking Diesel Generators. Web.
Indoor air quality in schools has a significant effect on students’ health. Schools offer a key indoor environment for students away or besides their home environment since they spend over ten hours per day at school. Since students spend many hours in schools, the issue of indoor air quality is of great significance and it should be handled with care (Daisey et al., 2003).
Indoor air pollution might lead to students suffering from long and short-term health complications. Besides, it might degrade the learning environment and affect the students’ performance. A research proved that “poor indoor air quality contributes to asthma attacks, absenteeism, and more illness” (Salleh et al., 2011, p.419).
Researches done in the United States proved that good indoor air quality influences the trend of school attendance among the students. Indeed majority of the students suffer from respiratory diseases, skin and eye irritation, fatigue, sneezing, coughing, and nausea due to poor indoor air quality (Daisey et al., 2003).
This paper will focus on poor indoor air quality in schools in the United States, its causes as well as the health problems associated with poor indoor air quality.
Causes of poor indoor air quality
Many factors contribute to poor indoor air quality. The factors include “poor ventilation, availability of contaminant sources like building materials, indoor temperature and humidity, and maintenance activities…the contaminants may range from particles, formaldehyde, radon, bacteria, fungi, to nitrogen oxides” (Salleh et al., 2011, p.419).
At times, the level of contaminants in indoors increases relative to the concentration outdoors. The concentration of contaminants in the indoor air may lead to the occupants experiencing a range of health symptoms and discomfort. Daisey et al. (2003) posit, “It is hard to identify the cause of discomfort due to the presence of both indoor contaminants and other indoor environmental factors” (p.62).
Generally, water damage and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are the major causes of poor indoor air quality. Malfunctioning HVAC systems lead to accumulation of carbon dioxide and indoor air pollutants in classes subjecting the students to health problems.
HVAC systems that do not regulate the level of humidity in the buildings might lead to growth of mold and bacteria, which cause illnesses like coughing and breathing problems.
Other causes of “poor indoor air quality include choice of the building materials, poor site selection, roof design, and improper installation among other causes” (Salleh et al., 2011, p.420). The site where a building is located contributes to indoor air quality. Schools located in regions with high humidity are prone to growth of mold if they do not have proper heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (Godwin & Batterman, 2007).
Besides, building repairs also contribute to poor indoor air quality. Some school buildings are too old such that it is hard to maintain them. Such buildings suffer from water damage, leaks, and excess moisture leading to poor air quality.
Rate of schools with poor indoor air quality
Half of the 120,000 private and public schools in the United States have poor ventilations systems (Godwin & Batterman, 2007). Consequently, the schools have poor indoor air quality. Every year, over 55 million students enroll in these schools, thus exposing them to health hazards associated with poor indoor air (Godwin & Batterman, 2007).
In spite of the high number of students that are at risk of suffering from poor indoor air in schools, the government has done little to come up with a health agency responsible for enforcing and regulating policies with respect to precarious air atmosphere in schools.
Over six million employees work in the country’s public schools. These employees also suffer the dangers of poor indoor air quality (Mendell & Heath, 2005). The majority of employees agree that the air condition in their workplaces is wanting. Nevertheless, they do not have the capacity to address the problem.
A research of school nurses carried out in 2010 found that over 40 percent of the participants were aware that students and employees were suffering from poor indoor air quality. Over 75 percent of the respondents agreed that their schools did not have a team to monitor and regulate indoor air quality.
Indeed, schools are doing little to marshal the resources necessary for making sure that all classrooms and other workrooms have proper ventilation systems (Tham & Zuraimi, 2010). The American teachers have declared the problem of indoor air quality as one of the neglected challenges.
Health effects
Scholars continue to associate student performance with indoor air quality. They have found that many cases of sicknesses and absenteeism come because of poor indoor air quality. In return, they have adverse effects on the students’ performance. Some of the short-term illnesses that come because of poor indoor air quality include fatigue, poor concentration, nausea, loss of focus and impaired memory (Mendell & Heath, 2005).
Lack of air circulation in classrooms leads to increase in temperature. The high temperature causes discomfort and contributes to fatigue. Besides, poor circulation of fresh air in classrooms leads to the accumulation of different toxic gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. These gases lead to the students suffering from nausea.
Schools erect the ventilation systems to aid in diluting or getting rid of airborne contaminants. The contaminants may emanate from cleaning agents, the breath from the students, as well as from pathogens. The ventilation systems enhance the circulation of fresh air, therefore diluting the airborne contaminants, while some of the contaminants are forced out of the building together with the contaminated air (Tham & Zuraimi, 2010).
Moreover, the ventilation system facilitates to regulate the level of carbon dioxide in the classrooms. Research has shown that high concentration of carbon dioxide in classrooms contributes to poor performance among the students. Besides, it leads to most of the students complaining of health problems.
A study on students that learn in well-ventilated classrooms found that the students scored higher marks on a standard test relative to students that learn in poorly ventilated classrooms.
Poor indoor air quality leads to accumulation of bioaerosol contaminants in classrooms. According to Seppänen et al. (1999), bioaerosol contaminants refer to “a wide variety of agents from biological sources found in indoor environments” (p.227). The contaminants include bacteria, viruses, allergens such as the house dusts, and fungi that may contain irritants, toxins, and allergens.
Poor ventilation and other building features in classrooms contribute to respiratory diseases among the students. Even though no research has come up with the measurements of airborne virus in schools, some studies have compiled reports on the airborne bacteria (Seppänen et al., 1999).
House dust contains bacterial endotoxins. Poor ventilation in schools leads to concentration of dust in classes. When students inhale the dust, the bacteria present in the dust leads to the majority of them exhibiting a number of flu-like symptoms. The students also suffer from breathing problems.
Other negative health effects of poor indoor air quality include respiratory diseases and asthma. Yang et al. (2009) define asthma as, “A chronic respiratory inflammation that causes the airways to constrict and leads to wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing” (p.349). The majority of absenteeism cases reported in the United States schools are due to health problems related to poor indoor air quality.
Most classes in the country are poorly ventilated leading to poor indoor air quality. Today, millions of students in the United States suffer from asthma, which account for over 14 million absenteeism cases recorded every year.
The Institute of Medicine identifies moisture concentration in classrooms as the major cause of asthma in majority of the schools (Tham & Zuraimi, 2010). There is a substantial relationship between humid enclosed spaces and asthma attacks. Improving indoor air quality goes a long way to reduce the number of absenteeism cases associated with asthma.
Dampness and molds in classrooms contribute to health problems among the students. The presence of mold in classes causes throat irritation, coughing, headaches, tiredness, and wheezing. Students with weak immune systems, or who are vulnerable to infections, are prone to suffering from health problems related to mold and humid indoor environment (Tham & Zuraimi, 2010).
The health dangers linked to poor indoor air quality can be treacherous and in stern cases, fatal. Both adults and children exposed to these lethal air surroundings in schools are prone to exhibiting physical signs associated to poor indoor air quality.
Nevertheless, the effect of poor indoor air quality on children’s health might be more adverse than it is to the grownups. Children have weaker health defense mechanism than the adults. Therefore, their body would not withstand the poor indoor air quality health related challenges.
Addressing the problem
Schools can use different strategies to address the problem of poor indoor air quality. One of the strategies is source control. Source control is an effective and inexpensive approach that works on eliminating the sources of pollution. The other strategy that schools can use is enhancing their ventilation systems. Improved ventilations would help in regulating air circulation in the rooms.
Schools can also use air cleaners to improve the quality of indoor air (Yang et al., 2009). Air cleaners help to remove air pollutants from the air leaving the rooms free of pollutants.
In addition to using these strategies, schools need to conduct regular supervision of their buildings to determine if there are signs of leaks, moisture, and mold, which would ensure that the buildings are in a condition that does not support the growth of air pollutants.
Conclusion
Indoor air quality in schools have significant effects on students’ health, However, little is done to ensure that schools work on the quality of their indoor air. Numerous factors contribute to poor indoor air in the majority of the schools. They include poor ventilation systems, building repair, site selection, and improper installations, among others.
Today, over 60,000 private and public schools in the US have inadequate indoor air quality. The schools register over 55 million students every year, hence, subjecting them to health dangers associated with poor indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality leads to students suffering from asthma, fatigue, nausea, and breathing problems.
In addition, presence of mold in classrooms leads to students contracting a cough, throat irritation, and feeling tired. To address these problems, schools need to work on improving their ventilation systems and controlling the major sources of air pollution.
Reference List
Daisey, J., Angell, W., & Apte, M. (2003). Indoor air quality, ventilation and health symptoms in schools: An analysis of existing information. Indoor Air, 13, 53 – 64.
Godwin, C., & Batterman, S. (2007). Indoor air quality in Michigan schools. Indoor Air, 17(2), 109-121.
Mendell, M., & Heath, G. (2005). Do indoor pollutants and thermal conditions in schools influence student performance? A critical review of the literature. Indoor Air, 15, 27 – 52.
Salleh, N., Kamaruzzaman, S., Sulaiman, R., & Mahbob, N. (2011). “Indoor Air
Quality at School: Ventilation Rates and It Impacts towards Children- A review.” IPCBEE, 6, 418 – 422.
Seppänen, O., Fisk, W., & Mendell, M. (1999). Association of ventilation rates and CO2 concentrations with health and other responses in commercial and institutional buildings. Indoor Air, 9, 226-252.
Tham, K., & Zuraimi, M. (2010). Indoor air quality and its determinants in tropical child care center. Atmospheric Environment, 42, 2225-2239.
Yang, W., Sohn, J., Kim, J., Son, B., & Park, J. (2009). Indoor air quality investigation according to age of the school buildings in Korea. Journal of Environmental Management, 90(1), 348-354.
Indoor places, especially our homes, expose us to indoor pollution which could eventually result in major health problems. This paper will tackle the various sources of pollution in our indoor environment, the possible health effects they could have and steps people should take in order to assure good indoor air quality.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
There are various sources of pollutants that are associated with Indoor Air Pollution (IAP):
Combustion sources e.g. oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution. (Publication 1)
Of specific concern among others are: “formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, naphthalene and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)” (SCHER 17). Once the sources emit particles or gases to the air, pollution could further be enhanced by insufficient ventilation, high temperature and humidity levels (Publications 1). Some effects could be seen immediately while others are more long term and are due to increased exposure.
Health Risks Associated with Indoor Air Pollution
Children, expectant mothers, the elderly and the convalescents are particularly likely to be affected because they spend most of their times indoors (SCHER 11). Effects like “irritation of eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue” (SCHER 21) are some of the immediate results which can be treated easily. Other effects by various sources include respiratory disorders like asthma, coughing, wheezing, irritation to upper and lower respiratory tracts; allergies, fatigue etc (SCHER 21). With the above health risks identified, solutions to having good indoor air quality should be undertaken.
Solutions to Improved Indoor Air Quality
Before the solutions are put in place, one should be able to fully establish that there is a problem with the air quality. Some important identification methods include: symptoms of the above health risks, location of sources of pollution, personal daily life and ventilation disorders e.g. stuffiness, presence of mold, moisture on windows or walls (Publications 1).
Once sources of pollution have been identified, it is more effective to deal with each specifically; however there are general agreeable methods that could be undertaken to enhance air quality. Improving ventilation in the homes (or any indoor place) and use of air cleaners which are responsible for “particle removal” (Publication 1).
For biological contaminants such as molds and mildew, controlling relative humidity is important; for combustion sources, exhaust fans, chimneys and furnaces are advisable in helping to reduce emission of particles; for organic chemicals such as paints, limiting use and exposure is essential; for formaldehyde whose source is mainly pressed wood, using “exterior-grade” products reduces exposure; for asbestos, if the material is not prone to disturbance, it should be left like that otherwise, experts should be called to deal with it (Publications 1).
Smoking of tobacco indoors is highly discouraged and building materials used should be those “certified to emit low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) should be used (NACA 1). In the case where the source is persistent and no amicable solution is present, reducing exposure is the best way of handling the situation.
Conclusion
With all these precautions taken and all other considerations put in place, one is ensured to have a home with good air quality and hence exposures to unnecessary health risks are also avoided.
Works Cited
NACA. Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution. National Asthma Council Australia, 2011. Web.
Publications. The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. EPA Organization, 2011. Web.
The environment has an influence on human beings’ health as well as on the overall well-being (Larson 2016). The interactions between health and the state of the environment have been studied extensively; it has been proven that environmental risks such as poor air quality significantly deteriorate human health, either through the direct exposure to harmful ingredients or through disrupting processes that are vital for sustaining ecosystems (Remoundou & Koundouri 2009).
Moreover, Pruss-Ustun et al. (2016) from the World Health Organization have made an estimation that around thirteen million deaths annually could be attributed to the adverse environmental causes, which are in general preventable. Researchers also estimated that twenty-four percent of the global disease burden (years of healthy life lost) and twenty-three percent of all premature deaths were attributed to environmental factors, with the disease burden being fifteen times higher in developing than developed countries.
Analysis
The air has reached a very high pollution level, with adverse effects being immediately being felt by the population at risk, with almost everybody feeling the effects of prolonged exposure to polluted air. As to the statistics of air quality in Abu Dhabi, the Air Plumelabs website shows that the air quality in the area is considered below average, with Plume Air Quality Index being 130 (151 annual average).
186 days in 2017 have been at this level. The primary pollutants that affect the quality of air in Abu Dhabi include ozone and nitrogen dioxide, found at indicators 50 (with the norm 42) and 24 (with the norm 18) respectively (Abu Dhabi air quality 2017). Therefore, the issue of air quality is very high on the agenda for the region due to the need for improving the health and well-being of citizens affected by the problem.
The significance of researching the topic of air quality in Abu Dhabi is associated with the need for gathering data and developing an action plan targeted at resolving the problem of air pollution and elevating the burden caused by its adverse effects. The community served in this case are citizens who live in the selected areas of Abu Dhabi; the effects of poor air quality will be directly felt by them, especially in cases of hospitalizations for respiratory and heart-related problems as well as overall inconveniences of living near an airport.
Objectives
The main objective of the research is to develop an action plan to serve the citizens in the selected areas of Abu Dhabi through improving the quality of air in residential areas close to the Abu Dhabi International Airport and the airport’s territory. To achieve this major objective, it is important first to do the following:
Determine the severity of the adverse effects of poor air quality on the health and wellbeing of Abu Dhabian citizens;
Analyze the effect of CORSIA on the quality of air in selected areas;
Investigate best practices (laws and regulations) that have been implemented in other countries;
Involve stakeholders and policymakers into the development of the action plan.
Literature Review
Before developing the methodology for the research, it is important first to review relevant studies available in the literature that pertains to the topic of air pollution. First, the study by Semazzi (2003) focused on investigating perspectives from climate change modeling research regarding air quality. The researchers explored air quality from the perspective of climate change and assessed the cause and effect relationships between climate change and the atmospheric composition of air on the basis of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment of changes that occurred in the climate over the decade.
While the study can be considered dated, it provided an insight into the concerns about global warming and climate change regarding their effects on the quality of air. The researcher concluded that the future development of climate change was possible to predict only on the basis of actions and efforts targeted at the improvement of the environment.
The research by Rizwan, Nongkynrih, and Gupta (2013) investigated the magnitude and the effects on the health of air pollution in Delhi. Scientists concluded that all-natural-cause morbidity and mortality were more likely to increase with increased air pollution. Despite the fact that Delhi has implemented steps to reduce the levels of pollution and elevate the burden of negative effects on the population’s health, there is still a lot to be done about the problem.
Similarly, Alharbi, Alduwais, and Alhudhodi (2017) analyzed the spatial distribution of O3 and its precursors during summer in urban areas or Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The research showed that the concentration of O3 was dominant in industrial and central areas, which was linked to the large volumes of traffic and emissions from industrial production. The O3 concentrations averaged at 34.59 ± 24.17 ppb and reached as high as 277.47 ppb, which violated the standards establishes by WHO and EPA (Alharbi, Alduwais & Alhudhodi 2017).
Analyzing air quality levels in urban areas is impossible without taking into consideration the impact of public and private transport. Qiu et al. (2017) investigated commuters’ exposure to a particular matter for different modes of transportation: private cars, the subway, bus, and walking. It was found that transportation modes influenced the concentration of particulate matter. The lowest exposure concentrations were found in private cars with air conditioning. On the other hand, commuters waiting for a subway train were exposed to the highest concentration of particulate matter.
As to the quality of air in areas surrounding airports, Schlenker and Walker (2011) investigate air pollution in airports and the effects on contemporaneous health. Researchers based their study on the fact that airport network delays that lead to congestion increased daily air pollution. The adverse impact of air pollution on the health of citizens included increased hospitalization for asthma, heart, and respiratory-related issues that were an order of magnitude larger compared to the average estimates.
One standard deviation increase in the levels of air pollution in areas around airports led to an additional cost of one million dollars for admissions related to heart and respiratory problems for citizens living in those areas. Importantly, the adverse health effects were linked to CO concentrations and not NO2 or O3 (Schlenker & Walker 2015).
Iavicoli et al. (2014) also studied airport-related air pollution and its health effects. Researchers stated that airports were incredibly complex sources of airborne pollutants that not only harmed the environment but also adversely affected citizens’ health. By critically evaluating studies that investigate the correlation between airport-related air pollution and negative health outcomes, researchers identify needs for future studies. However, little evidence was gathered regarding airport-related air pollution and adverse health effects.
Hudda et al. (2014) studied the increase in emissions concentrations from an International Airport. Researchers suggested that the emissions from the International airport were primary sources of the emissions of particle number concentrations in those areas that had the same general magnitude as the entire network of urban freeways. Also, the results indicated that the low quality of air in major airports has often been underestimated.
To conclude the literature review, it is important to mention the study conducted by Wolfe et al. (2014) that researched the near-airport distribution of the environmental costs of aviation. This study is of particular relevance to the current research since it specifically investigated near-airport air quality costs and the quality of life of citizens residing near them. It was found that damages from aviation-related climate changes “dominate those from the degradation of local air quality and noise pollution further away from the airport” (Wolfe et al. 2014).
Nevertheless, damages of air quality can be higher compared to those from the climate when taking into account the impact of harmful emissions on the quality of air. Researchers also found that the population residing at airport boundaries is exposed to damages between $100 and $400 per person annually from aircraft noise and between $5 and $16 per person annually from climate damages.
Plan of Work
In order to investigate the effect of poor air quality in Abu Dhabi International Airport and residential areas around it on the life and health of citizens, data collection is the key to the research. Daily, monthly, and annual data on air quality will be collected to determine whether changes occur in a positive or negative direction. Moreover, the efforts for air quality improvement associated with CORSIA should be analyzed.
The research can involve scientists specializing in air pollution measuring the quality of air in selected areas; then, improvement activities and processes implemented by CORSIA should be studied for determining whether they had any impact on the quality of air in selected areas. Regarding the effect of air pollution, hospitalization statistics for respiratory and heart-related issues in the selected areas should be collected (Mansourian et al. 2010).
As to the public perception of the relationship between air quality and their health, a survey will be designed (Egondi et al. 2013). It will include questions associated with their opinions on whether airports have an effect on increased air pollution and whether living in residential areas near airports is compromised by poor air quality and noise. Therefore, the study will focus on the scientific and public opinion perspective to take into consideration both sides of the problem when developing the air quality improvement action plan.
The involvement of local officials that influence decision-making and the creation of environment-related policies will be needed at the stage of action plan development. After the gathered data on the severity of air pollution and on the opinions of the public on their quality of life near airports is gathered, the study will focus on creating recommendations that could be useful for the long-term improvement of air quality in Abu Dhabi International Airport and selected residential areas near the airport.
While the study will not elevate the burden of poor air quality immediately, it will provide a basis for further research on the effectiveness of the recommended quality improvement intervention.
Alharbi, B, Alduwais, A & Alhudhodi, A 2017, ‘An analysis of the spatial distribution of O3 and its precursors during summer in the urban atmosphere of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’, Atmospheric Pollution Research, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 861-872.
Egondi, T, Kyobutungi, C, Ng, N, Muindi, K, Oti, S, van de Vijver, S, Ettarh, E & Rocklov, J 2013, ‘Community perceptions of air pollution and related health risks in Nairobi slums’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 10, no. 10, 4851-4868.
Hudda, N, Gould, T, Hartin, K, Larson, T & Fruin, S 2014, ‘Emissions from an International Airport increase particle number concentrations 4-fold at 10 km downwind,’ Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 48, no. 12, pp. 6628-6635.
Iavicoli, I, Fontana, L, Ancona, C & Forastiere, F 2014, ‘Airport related air pollution and health effects’, Epidemiology Preview, vol. 38, no. 3-4, pp. 237-243.
Mansourian, M, Javanmard, S, Poursafa, P & Kelishadi, R 2010, ‘Air pollution and hospitalization for respiratory diseases among children in Isfahan, Iran’, Ghana Medical Journal, vol 44, no. 4, pp. 138-143.
Pruss-Ustun, A, Wolf, J, Corvalan, C & Neira, M 2016, Preventing disease through healthy environments. Web.
Qiu, Z, Song, J, Xu, X, Luo, Y, Zhao, R, Zhou, W, Xiang, B & Hao, Y 2017, ‘Commuter exposure to particulate matter for different transportation modes in Xi’an, China’, Atmospheric Pollution Research, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 940-948.
Remoundou, K & Koundouri, P 2009, ‘Environmental effects on public health: an economic perspective’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 6, no. 8, pp. 2160-2178.
Rizwan, S, Nongkynrih, B & Gupta, S 2013, ‘Air pollution in Delhi: its magnitude and effects on health’, Indian Journal of Community Medicine, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 4-8.
Schlenker, W & Walker, R 2015, Airports, air pollution, and contemporaneous health. Web.
Semazzi, F 2003, ‘Air quality research: perspective from climate change modeling research’, Environmental International, vol. 29, no. 2-3, pp. 253-261.
Wolfe, P, Yim, Lee, G, Ashok, A, Barrett, S & Waitz, I 2014, ‘Near-airport distribution of the environmental costs of aviation’, Transport Policy, vol. 34, pp. 102-108.
PM is an abbreviation of Particulate Matter, whose main components are small particles of “sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water” (World Health Organization, 2016, para. 6). Additionally, a mixture of both organic and inorganic substances, whether liquid or solid, forms fine suspensions in the air to create PM. The value 2.5, which is appended as a subscript to the abbreviation PM, is the diameter (expressed in microns) of the particles suspended in the air. Therefore, PM2.5 is an expression of the particulate matter, suspended in the air, with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).
How UAE’s value for PM2.5 (World Bank report 2015) compare to the UAE and the WHO standards for air quality?
According to the World Bank’s 2015 report on air pollution, the UAE was the most polluted region around the globe with a PM2.5 value of 80 (Al Wasmi, 2015). This figure is eight times the WHO standards for air quality, which stand at 10μg/m3. The UAE does not have any established federal limits for PM2.5.
My opinion on the UAE’s disagreement
After the World Bank released the 2015 air pollution report, which implied that the UAE had the dirtiest air around the globe, the Ministry of Environment and Water dismissed the figures as inaccurate. I think the ministry was justified in its dismissal of the data given the several grey areas in the report. First, the data used was old as it was collected between 1990 and 2005, and thus it could not be relied on given that the UAE has undertaken several air pollution measures to comply with the WHO’s standards. Moreover, satellite observations used to collect data are insufficient without proper ground-level monitors to collate the information.
Lastly, the UAE’s desert environment is a predisposition to dust storms, which litter the air with windblown dust in most cases. Therefore, the naturally occurring dust will inflate the figures on air pollution. I agree with the UAE that naturally occurring dust and carbon-based particles should be classified differently. Nevertheless, particulate matter suspended in the air is still harmful regardless of the source. Therefore, in as much as the UAE disagreed with the report, policymakers should come up with ways of addressing the problem. The claim that the majority of particulate matter in the UAE’s atmosphere is natural does not hold in the face of the harmful nature of such materials.
Measures by the UAE to improve air quality
The UAE announced the construction of eleven (11) more air quality monitoring stations on top of the existing 46 such stations. The new stations will increase the effectiveness of monitoring air pollution within the region by standardizing the practice across the seven (7) emirates. Additionally, the unified air monitoring system forms an air-quality network, which relays real-time information as opposed to the quarterly reports that the country would receive before. Timely reports will improve the speed with which policymakers implement new measures to deal with air pollution in the region.
The government also announced the deregulation of petrol by increasing the prices. This measure is effective as it would discourage people from using personal cars, which contribute significantly to air pollution in the region. According to the World Health Organization (2016), minimizing the usage of petrol-based vehicles and adopting low emission fuels would reduce air pollution significantly.
Air quality in a particular region is one of the most important environmental indicators because it is acknowledged today that poor air quality is a threat to human health and biodiversity. Generally, this indicator is measured based on the presence and concentration of particular pollutants in the air.
In Abu Dhabi, two types of factors exist that can contribute to the deterioration of the quality of air: natural, such as desert climate and dust storms, and anthropogenic, such as pollution caused by the activities of oil companies, airports, and other businesses that are capable of largely affecting the environment. The importance of air quality analysis is explained by the necessity to design and implement appropriate policies and measures in case it is found that air quality in particular areas is unacceptably low.
The proposed research is significant because it will present well-grounded data on air quality and air pollution in Abu Dhabi and will provide recommendations as per mitigation measures. The study is relevant because many risks associated with poor air quality are recognized today (Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi 2015). The community served by the study consists of the residents of Abu Dhabi, as they are the ultimate beneficiaries of air quality improvement. In this proposal, the study’s objectives, literature review, and research methods are presented.
Objectives
Air quality analysis should be based on clear assessment criteria that will allow ultimately determining if the quality is high or low (according to particularly determined standards) and identifying what contributes to it. Therefore, the proposed research will focus on various aspects of air quality assessment and measures that can be taken to improve it. The research question can be formulated as follows: what is the level of air quality in Abu Dhabi? Expected outcomes will be described through five research objectives.
First, it should be recognized that air quality is connected to climate and climate change (Vallero 2008). The first objective will be to assess climate conditions in Abu Dhabi; particularly, attention will be paid to solar radiation, air temperature, humidity, wind system, and evaporation. These factors in air quality can be regarded as natural ones; however, it should not be overlooked that anthropogenic changes in climate, such as those indirectly caused by carbon dioxide emissions, can be managed by regulating human activities, i.e. they should not be regarded as purely natural influences.
Second, the issue of air pollution should be addressed as a major factor in the quality of air. From this perspective, the objective will be to analyze air pollution distribution in different parts of Abu Dhabi with particular attention to sensitive areas, such as airports, oil field terminals (Jebel Dhanna), and oil refinery areas (Ruwais).
Third, it is proposed to combine the efforts and achievements of the first two objectives and link the role of particular pollutants and pollution in general to other air quality factors. The objective will be to determine any connections among sulfur dioxide (and other gases that are regarded as air pollutants), weather conditions, temperature, and humidity.
Fourth, since it has already been established that air quality is connected to climate change, efforts made as part of mitigation measures should be overviewed. In other words, the proposed research will examine—from the perspective of air quality—policies and practices made and performed by the UAE to address various negative effects of climate change. Under this objective, not only the efforts of the UAE government will be reviewed, but also the compliance of national programs with the international vision of climate change and its mitigation expressed in such international documents as the Kyoto Protocol and the agreements from the United Nations Climate Change Conferences.
Finally, the fifth objective is to identify the effects of air quality on human health, vegetation, and other important human- and environment-related issues in Abu Dhabi and to provide recommendations on what should be improved in this regard.
Literature Review
Reviewing relevant literature and analyzing reports from national and international agencies involved in climate change and air quality assessment will constitute an important part of the proposed research. First of all, the theoretical understanding of air quality should be explored. In this regard, the concept proposed by Vallero (2008, p. 3) that ‘air must be of a certain quality to support human and other life’ is adopted by the proposed research as a fundamental premise.
Therefore, air pollution is seen as certain emissions or indirect impacts on the air in an area that endanger the health of people who live in the area or endanger biodiversity there. Further, relevant scientific sources will be consulted for identifying particular aspects of air quality; for example, several pollutants will be identified the presence and concentration of which can be used as indicators of the level of air quality in certain regions or Abu Dhabi in general.
Based on the general understanding, the particular case of Abu Dhabi will be approached through analyzing available data from national agencies, such as the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. A report published by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (2015) suggests that the main threats to the quality of air in Abu Dhabi include the concentration of particular matter with particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller (PM10), and the main contributors to the high level of this concentration are the desert conditions and frequent dust storms.
Although these influences are natural, efforts still can be made to prevent negative effects on the population. Further, the EAD admits that the increase in harmful concentrations is also caused by traffic, industrial activities, and construction. The threats to human health include minor, such as irritation of eyes, and major, such as serious impacts on the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Among positive conclusions, the EAD stresses that the levels of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide are below the federal limit.
In terms of the effects of different aspects of air quality on human health, relevant sources will be explored that describe in detail how particular pollutants behave in the environment, what the exposure to them causes, and how people can minimize risk. For example, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2014) publishes answers to frequently asked questions concerning toxic substances, such as sulfur dioxide.
In reviewing relevant academic literature, particular attention will be paid to exploring international standards of air quality (including indoor air quality standards) presented by such organizations as the World Health Organization (2010), and the standards will be applied to the local context of Abu Dhabi. Finally, reports from air quality monitoring stations administered by the EAD (Air Quality Monitoring System 2017) will be used as part of the literature review because, apart from monitoring data, the agency also provides a wide range of data on how air quality can be analyzed.
Methodology
The method of the proposed research will be the analysis and interpretation of data from relevant agencies, such as the EAD and the NCMS, as well as from oil companies and airports as from organizations whose activities are capable of largely affecting the air in Abu Dhabi; these organizations are aware of environment-related issues and normally include air pollution information in their reports. A major component of the study will be the analysis of primary data obtained from 20 air quality monitoring stations located in different parts of the emirate of Abu Dhabi (Air Quality Monitoring System 2017).
The EAD, which administers those stations, performs its analysis according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) standards based on the presence and concentration of five pollutants in the air: particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ground-level ozone; for each, there are established limits. Upon processing data on the combination of pollutants, the agency identifies the level of health concern for each region on a scale from low (good) to high (hazardous).
The proposed research will further process this information and compare it to international standards and studies. This methodology will allow presenting a well-grounded understanding of what air quality is, how to measure it, and how high levels of it can be achieved; also, reliable results will be provided on the current state of air quality in the emirate, and this state will be analyzed from the perspective of national and international standards.
Apart from sources indicated above, air quality statistics provided by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (2017) will be used, too, to support the findings of the proposed study with data verified by the UAE government.
Since the beginning of the XX century, the air pollution issue has been raised and yet remains unsolved. In the course of the technology development, the concern for the clean air has arisen, yet no efficient measures have been developed yet.
Air as It Is: The Incredible Mix
Explaining the properties of air, the author shows that air is crucial for every living creature or plant on the Earth. Moreover, the author shows in details what air is made of, telling the exact proportions and naming the compounds and the formulas: “Some of the gases in the air are elements: nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2) and argon (Ar). But carbon dioxide (CO2) is a compound (as is and water vapour, H2O)” (Air and Molecular Compounds).
When Pollution Issue Comes Along
According to Tatchell, the air is slowly changing because the level of oxygen in the air is dropping due to the air pollution. The latter, in its turn, is the result of carbon dioxide emissions – a specific “tribute” to the era of technological development.
Another Crisis to Handle with
Hence, Shukman explains, follows the air crisis. According to Shukman, the air quality standards have been violated for quite long time (Shukman para. 2), which gives reasons for serious concerns.
Switch on That Air Conditioner
Rosenthal offers to solve the problem of air cooling with the help of air conditioning (Rosenthal para. 2). However, the solution for the problem of the lack of fresh air is not that easy to solve as one could have thought it was. According to the author of “A Luxury the World Can’t Afford,” air conditioning has the most negative effect on the air, polluting it with poisonous emissions.
Conclusion: It Is not the End. Yet
Therefore, it is obvious that a lot has to be done to make the air as clean as it used to be and at the same time make sure that the undertaken measures do not affect the environment negatively. With a proper strategy, people will be able to make air clean again.
The 21st century has been marked by rapid development in all sectors of the economy. This has been marked by a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization as a large number of people move into the larger cities for employment to improve their living standards. This has resulted in many pollutants being released into the atmosphere from the increased number of industries and also from car exhaust in the larger towns as a result of urbanization. This has led to air pollution and change in climatic conditions as a result of emission of greenhouse gases (Great Britain: Office of The Prime Minister 2004 p.20). If proper control is not taken our precious environment will be destroyed and future generations will blame our laxity. The air which we breathe is among the most important things in our environment. For quality health and well-being of animals, plants and even humans, clean air is of primary importance. Air pollution can be termed as the act of introducing gaseous matter, particulates or chemicals to the atmosphere at higher levels over a certain threshold. As a result a lot of harm is caused to human beings and other living organisms. This may cause many diseases to humans for example lung diseases (Goss et al. 2004 p.818). Due to these effects, government authorities have enacted various strategies which are meant to control pollution and ensure air quality is maintained. A strategy is an action plan set out that is meant to guide in achievement of a specific goal. In other words, it is a style of thinking to ensures the success of a certain undertaking in the future. This essay critically analyses the use and effectiveness of the UK Air Quality Strategy and the role and effectiveness of the main institutions and frameworks delivering interventions.
The air quality strategy is a requirement from the Environmental Act of 1995 that requires the UK government and the devolved administrations to establish a national strategy for the air quality (McGettigan and O’Donnell 1995 p.34). The strategy was to contain the air standards to be maintained, the objectives to ensure this and also the measures for improvement of air quality. The Act also has provision for continuous process of reviewing the policies to ensure quality air. The main objective is to ensure that all citizens in the UK enjoy accessibility of outdoor air which does not pose any significant health risk to them. It sets standards and which are based on expert recommendations which when emitted into the atmosphere does not produce any heath effect to the citizens (McEvoy, Gibbs and Longhurst 2001 p.10). In setting out the objectives the government and the devolved administrations consider the efficiencies of the economy of the set measures, whether they are applicable in the set context and the technical feasibility in their implementation. The strategy also is intended to finding a way forward for performing air pollution control works and the planning process of all the air quality issues. The other objective of this strategy is to establish a framework that is meant to give provisions for tackling issues concerning fine particles in the atmosphere (Beattie Longhurst and Woodfield 2000 p.730). In addition, this strategy intends to identify new national policy measures which can be agreed upon and which have been shown to have more health benefits to the general population.
The UK air quality strategy has had a greater impact on the control of pollutants from the atmosphere which cause detrimental health effects to human beings and other living things. Regulatory authorities have been established which ensures the set standards are adhered to. These limits are the limits that ensure the welfare of the citizens is catered for. There has been a continuous monitoring of industrial emissions to check the number of gases that they emit (Environmental Protection UK 2010 Para 5). Industry produces significant pollutants to the atmosphere. These gases include nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Most of the industrial processes leading to pollution are now subject to integrated pollution control. In addition, others have been made subject to local Area pollution Control (Woodfield 2003 p.56). These controls have led to significant controls in the levels of emissions emitted currently. The transport sector has also been assessed to establish the level of pollution especially in urban centers. This is intending to avoid similar smog as occurred during the 1950s, and in particular the Great London Smog. The strategy has ensured that the UK has no occurrences of high levels of smoke or sulfur dioxide pollution. Despite these significant impacts in the control of pollution a lot is called for to help protect our environment.
For the success of this strategy various institutions have joined hands to see to it that it is fully implemented and adhered to. The UK government together with the devolved administrations covering Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the major players in the implementation of this strategy (Chatterton 2007 p.24). Their responsibilities involve handling the policy and the legislative issues that affect our environment. The air pollutants have no boundary limits and cross the various jurisdictions. Due to this it was of importance for the establishment of a common document for the whole of the UK. The other player in ensuring full implementation of this strategy is the Local Air Quality Management team. The Local Air quality Management teams continuously perform assessments on the quality of air in their areas of jurisdiction and continue to address emerging problems by the established plans. These measures for example will include application of corrective procedures and enforcement of laws and regulations (Beattie et al. 2004 p.60).
The local air quality management’s main role is to establish the levels of pollution in their areas. This task is achieved through measurement of the concentrations of various pollutants occurring in the atmosphere. Large expenses are involved in these measurements due to the complex machines which are used. As a result, mathematical principles and models have been applied to predict the air quality of other areas (Chatterton 2007 p.25).The process of determining the level of various pollutants is based on the sources of pollution like industries and roads in the area as well as documented measurements of these pollutants. Mathematical models are very important since they also indicate whether the national air quality objectives have been breached or having been followed to the letter during the year. After this assessment the local authority has the legal power to declare an air quality management area. After this declaration, the local authority then develops a plan of action that guides it in performing any task which it has the mandate of performing in fulfillment of national air quality objectives (Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs 2007 p.6). After the local management authorities are the devolved administrations. This body of power has jurisdictions over areas such as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and together with the UK government have the duty of formulation of policies and legislation which affect the natural environment including issues concerning the air quality. The UK government and the devolved administrations have the objective of ensuring that the citizens enjoy quality air in their immediate surroundings to prevent the occurrence of diseases that are related to air pollution. The UK government is the overall overseer that the local authorities and the devolved governments are working towards improvement of air quality. Together with other nations in the European Union community they come up with standards which are to be maintained in each of the states (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2007 p.8). They also participate in the world forums on environmental management and in signing of global treaties on environmental sustainability. The signing of the Kyoto protocol on environmental conservation is an example. Also, more recently were the Copenhagen agreements.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that there is a need for collaborative efforts to be increased towards environmental conservation. Rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to air pollution and change in climatic conditions as a result of emission of greenhouse gases. This pollution poses health risks to the population of the UK, for example development of lung diseases. The main air pollutants include gases like sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, particulates like smoke particles and aerosols. To prevent their harmful effects strategies have been set which aim at establishing the standards which cause no or less harm to the people and animals. To ensure that these strategies are implemented fully there is full participation of local authorizes, devolved authorities and the UK government. Since the implementation of these strategies a lot has been achieved in minimizing air pollution. This is a great step forward and should be encouraged.
Reference
Beattie, C., Longhurst, J.and Woodfield, N. (2000). Air Quality Management: Challenges
and Solutions in Delivering Air Quality Action Plans. Energy and the Environment Volume 11 Issue 6: pp.729-747.
Beattie, C.,Longhurst, J.and Elsom,D.(2004). Evidence of Integration of air Quality Management in The Decision Making Processes and Procedures of English local Government. Local Environment Volume 9 Issue 3: pp.255 – 270.
Chatterton, T., Longhurst, J., Leksmono, N., Hayes, E. and Symons, J. (2007). Ten years of Local Air Quality Management experience in the UK: An analysis of the process. Clean Air and Environmental Quality Volume 41 Issue 4: pp.26-31.
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (2007). The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Volume 1).Web.
Environmental Protection UK (2010). Air Quality Strategy. Web.
Goss, Christopher, Newsom , Stacey, Schildcrout, Jonathan, Lianne, Sheppard and Kaufman, Joel (2004). Effect of Ambient Air Pollution on Pulmonary Exacerbations and Lung Function in Cystic Fibrosis. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Volume 169 Issue 7: pp.816–821.
Great Britain: Office of The Prime Minister (2004). Planning and Pollution Control: Pollution Control, Air and Water. UK, Stationary Office.
McEvoy, D., Gibbs, D.and Longhurst, J.(2001). Reducing Residential Carbon Intensity: The New Role for English local Authorities. Urban Studies Volume 38 Issue 1: pp.7-21.
McGettigan, M and O’Donnell, C. (1995). Air Pollutants in Ireland-Emissions, Depositions and Concentrations 1984-1994. Wexford, Environmental Protection Agency.
Woodfield, N., Longhurst, J., Beattie, C.and Laxen, D. (2003). Regional Variation in The Implementation of The Local Air Quality Management Process Within Great Britain. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management Volume 46 Issue 1: pp.49-64.
One of the most important aspects of life is good ventilation. Clean air plays a very major role in the health of a person. The fact that most people spend uncountable hours indoors calls for more stringent measures in ensuring good ventilation in our homes, offices, cars, and indoor social places. This paper discusses the various sources of indoor pollution as well as applicable methods in enhancing quality indoor ventilation.
Indoor pollution
Indoor pollution can come from many sources such as incomplete combustion which produces carbon monoxide, construction materials such as wood paints adhesives, carpets, damp furniture, and asbestos from heat insulation systems and fibercok. Things we use at home such as cleaning agents or solvents are also potentially harmful since they may contain among other chemicals, formaldehyde. Some may even come through animals such as pigeon droppings or guano.
However, much concern about the effect of volatile organic compounds on air have been raised “widespread use of new products and materials in our days has resulted in increased concentrations of indoor pollutants, especially of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that pollute indoor air and maybe affect human health” (ECA 7).
Risks involved
Indoor air pollution is potentially dangerous. Most of the pollutants have either short or long term effects. Some pollutants such as carbon monoxide are an instant killer. Formaldehyde has been claimed to cause “Nasal and eye irritation, neurological effects, and increased risk of asthma and/or allergy have been observed in humans breathing 0.1 to 0.5 ppm” (ATSDR 1). Asbestos is used in most heat applications.
It is believed that asbestos affects the respiratory system. Pigeon Guano causes Histoplasmosis which, according to Illinois department of public health, “The disease is transmitted to humans by airborne fungus spores from soil contaminated by pigeon and starling droppings” (IDPH 1).
Moisture on food especially cereals causes aflatoxins which has killed a lot of people through food poisoning. The impact of all the indoor pollutants on human health cannot be explained in one book. This shows how important quality indoor ventilation is for quality life.
Quality indoor ventilation
It is imperative to analyse and understand the possible causes of indoor air pollutants and possible likely signs or symptoms of effects of poor air pollution before employing any method of improving air quality. Different pollutants require different methods of dealing with the problem. Nevertheless there are general approaches that are likely to yield excellent results.
Opening of windows may minimise dampness, air conditioners will improve on air flow in the room, exhausts from diesel generators and other machineries should be directed away from the houses, pigeon traps and good house roofing may help keep pigeon droppings off. Excellent storage of solvents and other chemicals used indoors should be encouraged.
Building materials such as adhesives, asbestos and fibercoks should be installed according to the stipulated guidelines. Limited use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is also recommended. However, there are many more methods of effecting indoor air quality.
Conclusion
The importance of effective indoor air quality is immeasurable. Every effort must be made to improve air quality either indoors. Stringent measures must be taken to enhance air quality by following various stipulated guidelines. Good room condition is good to ensure that human health is maintained and that unnecessary diseases are kept away thus lowering the medical expenses of a family.