Indoor Pollution, effective natural solutions

By *  Dr UME

Introduction

The main sources

The effects on the health 

Major immediate effects
Long-term effects

Agents or substances responsible for indoor pollution

Tobacco smoke
Molds
Bacterial endotoxins
Mites
Pet allergens
Artificial mineral fibers
Volatile organic compounds
Aldehydes
Nitrogen oxides

Therapeutic basis of action in brief

Bibliography

Families of substances involved

Introduction summary

Indoor pollution is defined as "the presence of physical contaminants, chemical and biological in air confined environments, which are not naturally present in large quantities outside"

In recent years, attention has been drawn to this problem, but it is only recently that the international community has mobilized to reduce indoor air contamination. If we consider the time spent (90% of our lives), for each of us, inside (home, work, school, leisure ,..), we can easily understand that the problem and its resolution is of first importance.

The question of indoor air quality is a major public health concern because the whole population is concerned, especially sensitive and fragile persons (children, elderly and immunodepressed person, sick chronic lung).

The composition of the air inside is basically the same as the outside, but the amount and type of contaminants differ. Indeed, to outdoor pollutants, we must add the potentially toxic agents generated inside the buildings. A major reason for the increased frequency of problems related to these products seems to be the changing standards of insulation and ventilation following the oil crisis of 1973. (Ventilation reduced by 75% for economic reasons)

The main sources summary

• building materials
• heating, air conditioning, cooking appliances,...
• furniture
• coatings (paints, varnishes, flooring, carpets...)
• cleaning and maintenance products
• leisure or professional activities

The effects on the health summary

The effects of "indoor pollution" on health are complex and symptoms are not specific. Many pollutants may be responsible for the same disease. Besides, each individual may react differently to the same conditions (genetic susceptibility, genetic polymorphism of detoxification enzymes). Discomfort and stress created may also intervene.

The effects of indoor pollution on health are only partially known: indeed, the links between exposure to pollutants and the development of a disease or symptom has not yet been sufficiently studied, and in many cases, the contribution of indoor air quality in certain diseases still remains to be identified and evaluated.

Major immediate effects summary

• respiratory
• skin and mucous irritation
• effects on the nervous system
• cardiovascular
• gastrointestinal
• infectious

Targeting the first alarm is very difficult, because the danger is in function of exposure time and the combination with other pollutants. Moreover, if some effects appear immediately after exposure, others reveal themselves only much later, sometimes years.

Immediate effects can follow a single exposure, but frequently repeated.

We find: irritation of eyes, nose, throat, headache, dizziness, fatigue. They are usually short-lived and avoidable by simple separation of the source of pollution, if it can be identified.

Sometimes occur serious diseases such asthma, humidifier fever, legionellosis, atypical pneumonia..

The probability of immediate reactions to indoor environmental pollutants depends on several factors. The age and preexisting medical conditions (immunodeficiency, diabetes ,...) are two important factors. It also depends on individual sensitivity, which varies from person to person. There may also have cross-sensitivity, and appearance after repeated exposure to biological agents, of sensitization to chemical pollutants (MCS).

Some of the immediate symptoms looking like those of a simple cold or the beginning of a viral affection, for not to confuse them, it is important by the anamnesis, to determine when and where these symptoms appear. This facilitates the detection and identification of the source (environmental ambulances - SAMI).

 

Long-term effects summary

If it is important to examine the persons exposure to high levels of pollutants in an indoor environment (mold allergy, severe poisoning by carbon monoxide, asbestos, chlorine pools ..), it is necessary just as much to be interested in the effects, much more insidious of the chronic exposure to low doses of pollutants associated over long periods, to important consequences in the longer term.

• Neurodegenerative affections
• Endocrine disruption
• Autoimmune diseases
• cancers
• syndrome of hypersensitivity to many chemicals substances for a significant number of people.

Agents or substances responsible for indoor pollution summary

1. Tobacco smoke summary

Cigarettes, cigars or pipes that burn and that exhaled by the smoker. The smoke that emerges is not a homogeneous substance.

It contains about 4,000 different elements which appear in gaseous or solid state. Even today, all these substances are not known, nor is their effect on human health.

Among these substances, the better known today are the nicotine, tars, carbon monoxide and certain irritant gases such as nitrogen oxide.

The person who smokes a pack of cigarettes per day absorbs 6 kg of dust in twenty years and a cup of tar per year. The tar contains over 40 substances which cause cancer, and makes now no more doubt.

Exposure of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke is called the passive smoking or secondhand smoke.

The effects on the health ^{see Nicotine Dependence file}

The tobacco smoke irritates the eyes, nose and throat of persons who are exposed.

The infants and children whose parents smoke are more frequently prone to infections of bronchi, nose, throat and ears. Children exposed to secondhand smoke have more risks to develop respiratory problems while growing up.

The women who are heavily exposed during their pregnancy tend to have less big babies at birth..

Tobacco smoke is harmful to people with respiratory problems like asthma in particular.

During the last decade, the amounts of nitrate in cigarette tobacco increased by 0.3-0.5% to 0.6-1.35%. The nitrate content in tobacco plays in important role for the pyrosynthesis of certain carcinogens. Thus during the combustion of tobacco, the polynucleic aromatic hydrocarbons will decrease while will increase the nitrogen oxides and carcinogenic N-nitrosamines (Hoffmann & Hoffmann, 1997). The nitrate content in tobacco causes increased concentrations of nitrogen oxide and methyl nitrite.  It has been shown that nitrogen oxide, nitrate and nitrite methyl cause N-nitrosation of nicotine to form the N-nitrosamines (Hoffmann & Hoffmann, 1997).

For two decades, the quantities of polynucleic aromatic hydrocarbons have significantly decreased while the amounts of N-nitrosamines have increased (Hoffmann & Hoffmann, 1997). It is important to note that the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are largely responsible for the appearance of bronchial carcinomas and that for their part, the specific nitrosamines in tobacco would be responsible for the appearance of adenocarcinomas (Hoffmann & Hoffmann, 1997; Hoffmann and coll., 1996; Wynder, 1995) 

A higher risk of lung cancer has been demonstrated, even among non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Molds are microscopic fungi that can colonize various kinds of supports (wood, paper, textiles, foodstuffs, ....) as long as they find a favorable moisture and enough nutrients. They can release spores into the air in large quantities and / or odorants substances (musty smell) even toxic (mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds).

Effects on health

The chronic exposure to substances produced by fungi (spores, mycotoxins, volatile chemicals substances) can cause in humans the appearance or worsening of health problems, mainly those related to respiratory (ex: asthma, rhinitis, bronchitis).

Respiratory symtoms	Non-respiratory symptoms
Runny nose, pruritus, sneezing Nose and throat irritation, breathing difficulty Wheezing, cough, sputum	Eye irritation, pruritus, watery eyes Skin irritation, chills, fever  Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Immune disorders, chronic fatigue

The lung infection (invasive aspergillosis) appears mainly in people with lowered immune systems.

In the context of professional activities (agriculture, cheese dairy), molds can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis when a massive amount of spores is inhaled.

Their spores are introduced into the premises through the openings, comings and goings of the occupants and their clothing, dust and materials / contaminated materials. Although there are species of fungi adapted to drought, moisture usually favors the growth of most of them. The wet rooms (bathroom ....) poorly ventilated, low walls with poor insulation or sealing defects, are places conducive to mold growth. Their growth on media contaminated resulting in patches of various sizes and colors (green, gray, black...).

3. Bacterial endotoxins summary

Endotoxins are chemical compounds produced by bacteria, for their own defense. In patients with asthma and mite allergy the symptom severity of asthma may be increased. In particular, by the presence of domestic animals (cat, dog) may increase the presence of endotoxin.

4. Mites summary

Epidemiology : 10% to 20% of the total population - Etiology found in more than 50% of asthmatics.

Dust mites thrive in house dust by feeding on human skin scales. Mite droppings and debris from their bodies contain allergenic substances.

They live in dust and feed on particles that compose it, first of human and animal desquamation. Each of us loses about 1.5 g per day of dander. This amount is more than enough to feed a population of dust mites and also to ensure their survival in rooms that are not always manned. For their development and reproduction, the mites are comfortable if the temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees celsius and if the relative humidity is 65 to 80% (general conditions from May to October

Invisible in the naked eye (1/3 of mm), acarids are present in places occupied by the humans: beddings (mattress, and carpets).

Effects on health

• Allergy and its complications (infections such as conjunctivitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis, pneumonia) are the main risks to health associated with exposure to dust mites.
• The exposure is made by mucous membranes (eyes and respiratory system).
• The symptoms of allergy are proportional to the amount of present mites.

At the patients allergic to acarids the effects can be multiple: simple breathing gene, wheezing, coughing, rhinitis, eye allergy, conjunctivitis but also asthma.

The groups and the persons at risks

• Children (their immune system is very active)
• People affected by asthma, cystic fibrosis or immune deficiency

5. Pet allergens summary

The pet allergens, which are microscopic particles, moving in the air and activate the symptoms of respiratory allergy. Studies have shown that there are more allergies to cats, small dogs with long hair than big dogs with short hair. This can be explained by the fact that small dogs are accepted in most areas of life (chairs, beds, pillows) which become so many nests of allergens.

Effects on health

In patients allergic to cat and dog, symptoms may include: rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma.

Sources

The saliva, skin, squamas, hair, anal glands of domestic animals (cat, dog ...) are reservoirs of allergens.

6. Artificial mineral fibers summary

Fibers constituting the insulation wools (glass wool, rock...).

Effects on health

The wool fibers are irritating to skin and eyes. The new fibers developed in the market have a persistence in the low body, allowing them to no longer be classified as a carcinogen by the regulations (group 3).

Classification of the International Center of Cancer Research

Group 1 carcinogenic agents for humans: benzene, tobacco, asbestos ... 
Group 2A probably carcinogenic agents to humans: the exhaust of diesel vehicles, use of sun lamps, ... 
Group 2B agents may be carcinogenic to humans: coffee, gasoline, dry cleaning fluid, vegetables in brine ... 
Group 3 agents who can not be classified as for their carcinogenicity for the human : caffeine, saccharin, tea ... 
Group 4 agent probably not carcinogenic for the humans : caprolactamme

Sources

The mineral fibers from wool insulation can be released into the air during handling related to their implementation or their removal. These insulators can be found in the roof space, attics, roof, in the double wall partitions, false ceilings and sometimes in technical ducts that connect the floors.

7. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) summary

The volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) are a multitude of substances which may be of biogenic origin (natural origin) or anthropogenic (human origin). They are always composed of the element carbon and other elements such as hydrogen, halogens, oxygen, sulfur ... The VOCs are widely used in the manufacture of many products and materials (paint, varnish, glues, carpeting, tile, cleaners, cigarette smoke, new fabrics ...). Their common point is to evaporate more or less rapidly at room temperature and thus become part of the air. The VOCs are often more numerous and more concentrated inside than outside due to the multiplicity of domestic sources.

Effects on health

They are mostly badly known (1.000 new chemicals per year) but we attribute them according to the compounds, irritations of the skin, mucous membranes and lung system, nausea, headaches and vomiting.

Some compounds such as benzene or vinyl chloride monomer, are associated with leukemia or cancers (in the case of professional exposure). 

Others are suspected in the reproduction system (glycol ethers [2-ethoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol] for example).

Their detection and identification are extremely important in the knowledge of a long-term exposure, at low concentrations, but responsible for nonspecific symptoms, chronic, simply functional at the beginning, gradually lesional. 

The aldehydes are partly owned by the family of VOCs. The most known compound is the formaldehyde. It is present in many everyday products: insulating foams, lacquers, glues, varnishes, inks, resins, paper, household products, pesticides ... Most pressed wood and plywood (furniture, building materials, glues) contain it. It is also used in certain medicines, cosmetics and textiles.

Effects on health

The formaldehyde is an irritant to eyes, nose and throat. Its role in the appearance of cancer is confirmed in animals but not established in humans.

According to the scientific literature, the potential sources are :

• Photochemistry formaldehyde, particle panels, fiberboard, raw wood panels, emissions of books and new magazines, paint solvent phase, cigarette smoke, photocopiers 
• Photochemistry acetaldehyde, cigarette smoke, photocopiers, raw wood panels, particle board
• Benzaldehyde phase solvent paints, photocopiers, treated parquet 
• Hexaldehyde chipboard, emissions of books and new magazines, paint solvent phase, wood treatment product (aqueous phase), raw wood panels 
• Isobutyraldéhyde/butyraldéhyde Photocopieurs
• Isoveraldehyde treated parquet , particle board
• Valeraldehyde emissions of books and new magazines, paint solvent phase, particle board

9. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) summary

Nitrogen monoxide (NO) is based on the combustion phenomena in high temperature by oxidation of nitrogen from the air.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is, meanwhile, a secondary pollutant resulting from the reaction between NO and oxygen.

Although experimental studies in animals and humans show a real toxicity of nitrogen dioxide, the results of epidemiological studies are not as conclusive. Indeed, the effects of lung exposures controlled at high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide are known in humans and animals, but the health impact of low concentrations is much less established through epidemiological studies.

However, the asthmatics are a group sensitive to the nitrogen dioxide: NO2 exposure leads to impaired the lung function and increased the airway sensitivity to bronchoconstrictor.

Sources

Their presence on the premises is due to external sources (industries, automobile traffic) or internal, such as gas appliances (cookers and water heaters) and to a lesser extent, wood stoves or gas and cigarette.

Therapeutic basis of action  summary

It seems clearly that the first and most important measure is the distance and if possible the total eviction of the sources of these pollutants. Then... 

Necessity for simultaneous action

• of general depollution of the body 

• of global drainage 

• added if necessary, the supported fight against smoking of which the 

  passive smoking