7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants

Identify indoor air pollutants.

• Carbon monoxide is an indoor air pollutant that is classified as an asphyxiant.
• Indoor air pollutants that are classified as particulates include asbestos, dust, and smoke.
• Indoor air pollutants can come from natural sources, human-made sources, and combustion.
• Common natural source indoor air pollutants include radon, mold, and dust.
• Common human-made indoor air pollutants include insulation, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from furniture, paneling and carpets; formaldehyde from building materials, furniture, upholstery, and carpeting; and lead from paints.
• Common combustion air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulates, and tobacco smoke.
• Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of uranium found in some rocks and soils.
• Enduring understanding STB-2: Human activities have physical, chemical, and biological consequences for the atmosphere.

Describe the effects of indoor air pollutants.

• Radon gas can infiltrate homes as it moves up through the soil and enters homes via the basement or cracks in the walls or foundation. It is also dissolved in groundwater that enters homes through a well.
• Exposure to radon gas can lead to radon-induced lung cancer, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America.
• Enduring understanding STB-2: Human activities have physical, chemical, and biological consequences for the atmosphere.