The term air pollution, however, invariably evokes pollution of outdoor air. Keeping outdoor pollution in mind, realtors building airtight homes that keep harmful chemicals out of the house. Never do we think about indoor air quality, not even once. Such airtight homes have poor ventilation and thus affect the quality of the indoor air.
Recent heat waves and climate worldwide have compelled school children, to urge for instant action to avert further global warming. Drawing inspiration from Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate change warrior, thousands of school children reacted to surging greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, they took to the streets urging governments to take immediate stern actions to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Perils of Indoor Air Pollution Revealed
In a new research, a team from Washington State University discovered astonishingly high levels of pollutants inside carefully monitored homes. Pollutants such as formaldehyde, and also possibly mercury can be found within the four walls of a house.
Building and Environment, an international journal published the study. Professor Tom Jobson, department of civil and environmental engineering, and Yibo Huangfu, graduate student of the university conducted the research.
人类健康不倦地受到空气pollution, be it indoor or outdoor. Air pollutants have always affected human brain, lungs, heart, and nervous system. In the last 40 years, various governments have worked towards slashing outdoor air pollution but little or nothing done to regulate indoor air pollution. The pollutants from various homely sources, such as household cleaning agents, building materials, furniture and activities such as cooking, washing and the like add to this pollution.
Homes need sufficient ventilation to clear off all such harmful indoor emissions. However, with building laws demanding comfortable homes with minimal impact of outdoor pollution, proper ventilation facility is compromised. Professor Jobson said that people always think of outdoor air pollution but they fail to realise that they are exposing themselves to much higher rates of harmful emissions at home.
Researchers discovered that the levels of formaldehyde increased with the rise in indoor temperature. Their work exhibited how changing climate worldwide is affecting the quality of air inside one’s home.
This research work aims to come up with ways, such as increased usage of green materials to build a house to lessen exposure to harmful indoor emissions. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has funded the research work
