Smoke

SMOKE THE SILENT KILLER

BY: UMANG DOSHI

What is Smoke?

Smoke is a collection of airborne solid and liquid particulates and gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion or pyrolysis, together with the quantity of air that is entrained or otherwise mixed into the mass. It is commonly an unwanted by-product of fires (including stoves, candles, oil lamps, and fireplaces), but may also be used for pest control , communication (smoke signals), defensive and offensive capabilities in the military (smoke-screen), cooking (smoked salmon), or smoking (tobacco, ganja, etc.).

Where it is used?

• Used in rituals, when incense, sage, or resin is burned to produce a smell for spiritual purposes.

• Sometimes used as a flavoring agent, and preservative for various foodstuffs.

Causes

• Indoor air contains higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air (up to 70x).

• Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air.

• Inadequate ventilation. • High temperature and humidity levels can also

increase concentrations of some pollutants.

Threats• From burning wood, charcoal, dung, crop waste– With little to no ventilation– Soot and carbon monoxide– Causes pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies, cataracts,

asthma, heart disease, cancer & death• ~1.6 million deaths/year

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution

•Little effort has been devoted to reducing indoor air pollution even though it is more harmful to human health than outdoor air pollution

•Environmental & health scientists call for us to focus on preventing air pollution (especially indoor) in developing countries.

We can reduce indoor air pollution• In developed countries:– Use low-toxicity material– Monitor air quality– Keep rooms clean– Limit exposure to chemicals– Allow for better mixing of indoor & outdoor air

• In developing countries:– Dry wood before burning– Cook outside– Use less-polluting fuels (natural gas)

• The amount of air available (for mixing of indoor & outdoor air) to dilute pollutants is an important indicator of the likely contaminant concentration– Indoor air can mix with outside air by 3 mechanisms• infiltration• natural ventilation• forced ventilation

Contd…

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INDOOR AIR QUALITYIndoor air quality is influenced by:

Outdoor air pollution: vehicles and industrial plants

Secondhand tobacco smoke

Fuels used for heating and cooking

Confined and poorly ventilated spaces

Overcrowded homes and insufficient living space

Customs, habits, traditions

Level of economic development: Industrialized ≠ developing countries

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2 000 000 deaths from ARI in < 5 yr olds (½ due to solid fuel use)

Rising trends of “wheezing”

Coal and biomass fuel: a major source of indoor air pollution

Suspended particulate matter increases the risk of acute respiratory infections

CO and other toxic gases may impair development and health

Secondhand tobacco smoke a major concern

HOMES OF POOR CHILDREN MAY BE UNHEALTHY

WHO

Fig. 19-21, p. 461

What Can You Do?

Indoor Air Pollution

• Test for radon and formaldehyde inside your home and take corrective measures as needed.

• Do not buy furniture and other products containing formaldehyde.

• Remove your shoes before entering your house to reduce inputs of dust, lead, and pesticides.

• Test your house or workplace for asbestos fiber levels and for any crumbling asbestos materials if it was built before 1980.

• Don't live in a pre-1980 house without having its indoor air tested for asbestos and lead.

• Do not store gasoline, solvents, or other volatile hazardous chemicals inside a home or attached garage.

• If you smoke, do it outside or in a closed room vented to the outside.

• Make sure that wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene- and gas-burning heaters are properly installed, vented, and maintained.

• Install carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas.

Fig. 19-20, p. 461

Solutions

Indoor Air Pollution

Prevention

Cover ceiling tiles & lining of AC ducts to prevent release of mineral fibers

Use adjustable fresh air vents for work spaces

Increase intake of outside airBan smoking or limit it to well ventilated areas

Change air more frequently

Set stricter formaldehyde emissions standards for carpet, furniture, and building materials

Circulate a building’s air through rooftop green houses

Prevent radon infiltration Use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gasUse office machines in well

ventilated areas

Use less polluting substitutes for harmful cleaning agents, paints, and other products

Install efficient chimneys for wood-burning stoves

Cleanup or Dilution

Thank You