Enforcement in New England
Indoor Air Quality Chart
|
Pollutant
|
Sources
|
Health Effects
|
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | Furnaces, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and other combustion processes | Causes angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function; High concentrations can be fatal. |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | Human respiration and all combustion processes | Only at high levels, (>1.5% of air or 15,000 ppm), loss of mental acuity noted |
| Ozone (O3 ) | Copy areas and other electrical equipment; Outside air Decrease in lung function; | Aggravation of asthma, chest pain, and inflammation of lung tissue |
| Mercury | Medical equipment, electrical switches, some light bulbs, thermostats, and batteries | Cough, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, long-term weight loss, irritability, and memory loss |
| Pesticides | Used in food preparation areas, on indoor plants, wood and other products; | Can be tracked in from outside Depends on active and inert ingredients in the pesticide and the dose received |
| Formaldehyde | Volatilization from building furnishings, certain types of plywood, glues, adhesives, and tobacco smoke | Causes burning in eyes; Irritates mucous membranes and respiratory tract; Probable human carcinogen |
| Asbestos | Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed insulation, fireproofing, acoustical material, and tiles | Causes asbestosis (lung disease), lung, chest, and abdominal cancer; Known human carcinogen |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | Paints, cleaners, copiers, tobacco smoke, insecticides, personal care products, and combustion vapors | Some lead to nausea, dizziness, eye, respiratory, and mucous membrane irritation; Some linked to cancer |
| Environmental Tobacco Smoke | Tobacco combustion: cigarettes, cigars, pipes | Known human carcinogen; Aggravates asthma |
| Nitrogen Oxides | Combustion processes | Eye, respiratory, and mucous membrane irritation; Exacerbates asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema |
| Dust | Multiple sources, including soil, fleecy material, pollen, combustion processes, and renovations | Particles may contain lead, pesticide residues, toxic materials, irritants, and/or carcinogens. |
| Lead | Lead-based paint, drinking water, food, and contaminated soil or air | Damage to brain, kidneys, nervous system, and red blood cells; Children are especially susceptible. |
| Allergens and Pathogens | Areas of high humidity or significant amounts of moisture; Entrance growth of biological material | Several diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, infections, influenza, Legionnaires disease transmitted by air; Molds and pollen contribute to allergies. |
| Radon | Naturally occurring radioactive gas found in earth- ground buildings, well-water, and some materials | Known lung carcinogen |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls | Transformers, capacitors, circuit boards, oils, and other electrical devices | Acute effects unknown; Chronic effects include respiratory, dermal, gastro-intestinal, and reproductive problems. Probable human carcinogen |