Environmental Health Center

A periodic resource for environmental, science and health journalists

Indoor Pollutants: Household Hazards

Three simple, but often overlooked, points make the indoor environment story so compelling: 1) Most Americans spend more time indoors than they do outdoors, and generally lots more; 2) Known pollutants often are present indoors at concentrations that would be unallowable outdoors; 3) Those most likely to spend the most time indoors — and therefore most likely to experience the greatest exposures over longer periods of time — are the aged, the infirm, and the very young, the three population groups most susceptible to adverse health effects. Some key considerations in reporting on indoor pollution:

Key Statistics/Facts

• Indoor levels of air pollutants may be 2-5 times, occasionally up to 100 times, outdoor levels.
• Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors at work, school, or home.
• An estimated 1,000 people die each year from exposure to carbon monoxide.
• 80 to 90% of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors.
• An estimated 100,000 children accidentally ingest pesticides each year.
• In 1996, more than 30 million Americans were served by water systems that violated one or more public health standards.
• Some 560,000 people become moderately to severely ill each year from consuming contaminated water.

Primary Pollutants and Potential Health Effects

• Environmental tobacco smoke – eye, nose, and throat irritation, lung cancer, and increased risk of lower respiratorytract infections in children.
• Lead (used in many house paints prior to 1978) – IQ deficiencies, learning and behavioral problems, impaired hearing.
• Asbestos (used in insulation, flooring, and plasters) – chest and abdominal cancers and lung disease.
• Formaldehyde (found in particleboard, carpet, insulation, and commonly used glues) – eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, may cause cancer.
• Carbon monoxide (from combustion appliances that use oil, gas, kerosene, coal, or wood) – fatigue, headaches, nausea, fatal at high concentrations.
• Mold and mildew (from wet or damp carpet or other materials, central air systems and humidifiers) – eye, nose, and throat irritation, lethargy, digestive problems, asthma, influenza and other infections diseases.
• Dust mites, cockroaches and animal dander – eye, nose, and throat irritation, asthma.
• Pesticides – eye, nose, and throat irritation, damage to central nervous system and kidney.
• Radon – lung cancer.
• Drinking water – gastrointestinal illnesses, bladder and rectal cancers, lead poisoning.

Who is at Risk?

• Construction of more tightly sealed buildings.
• Reduced ventilation rates to save energy.
• Use of synthetic building materials and furnishings.

• Children (immature immune and lung systems, developing nervous systems, more contact with surfaces).
• Elderly, homebound, and chronically ill.
• People with asthma or other respiratory problems.

Story Ideas

• Ask local poison control center for statistics and cases.
• Explore nontoxic pet care (many new products available).
• Late fall story on combustion heating hazards and fixes.
• Spring story on gardening chemicals and alternatives.
• Get report (required) on local drinking water — analyze and expand on what’s in it. Have area water supplies tested.
• Investigate low-income housing for environmental threats.
• Explore use of less toxic materials by local homebuilders.

Sources of Additional Information

• EPA Indoor Air Quality Clearinghouse – 800/438-4318
• American Association of Poison Control Centers – 202/362-7217; http://www.aapcc.org
• National Association of Home Builders – 202/822-0200; http://www.nahb.com

The Environmental Issues Bulletin is produced by the National Safety Council’s Environmental Health Center for the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation. For copies of other Environmental Issues Bulletins, contact RTNDF at (202) 467-5206.

Comments, questions, tips? Contact us by e-mail: ehc@nsc.org or colonyb@rtndf.org