The breathed environment indoors

TheBreathedEnvironmentIndoors

ProfessorPaulHarrisonIEHConsultingLtd

“Betterhomes,betterair,betterhealth”12April2017

Thebreathedenvironmentconsistsofarangeofmicroenvironmentsthroughwhichanindividualmoves,livesandbreathesthroughthecourseofaday- andindeedthroughouthisorherlife.

Outdoorairisimportantandinfluencesthequalityoftheairindoors.Butitisindoorsthatwespendthemajorityofourtime,andindoorenvironmentshavetheirownsignificantsourcesofcontaminants.

Thefocustodayisthehomeenvironment.

Introduction

‘Natural’sources

• Petsandvermin• Insectsandarachnids,especiallyhousedustmites• Bacteriaandmoulds• Flowersandpottedplants• Soilandbedrock• Peoplethemselves

Pollutionsourcesinthehome(1)

Anthropogenicsources• Tobaccoproducts• Combustionappliances– fires,stoves,boilers,etc.• Candlesetc.• Buildingproducts• Furnitureandfurnishings• Decorativematerials• ‘DIY’products• Cleaningandotherhouseholdproducts• Airfresheners• Electricalequipment• Personalcareproducts

Pollutionsourcesinthehome (2)

o Second-handtobaccosmokeo Combustionproducts– CO,CO2,NOx,PM10,etco Biologicalallergens– fromhousedustmites,moulds,

etc.o Formaldehydeo Volatileorganiccompounds(VOCs)o Polycyclicaromatichydrocarbons(PAHs)o Ozoneo Lead

Keyindoorairpollutantsinthehome(1)

o PCBso Fireretardantchemicals– e.g.organobromineso Phthalateso Pesticideso Mineraldustsandfibreso Radono Methaneo Productsofrespirationo Secondarypollutantsformedby‘indoorchemistry’

Keyindoorairpollutantsinthehome(2)

Airpollutioninthehome.Takenfrom‘EveryBreathWeTake’,RCP/RCPCH,2016

• Temperature• Humidity/Condensation• Ventilationvs.Energyconservation• Buildingdesignandconstruction• Location• Personalbehaviours• Climatechange

Influencingfactors

• Regulations?• Guidelines?• Source/Emissioncontrol?• Labellingschemes?• Behavioural change?

‘Solutions’…