Acute Health Effects of Major Indoor Air Contaminants
Although asbestos and radon have been listed below, acute health effects are not associated with these contaminants. These have been included due to recent concerns about their health effects. The investigator should be aware that there may be other health effects in addition to those listed.
Acetic Acid
- Sources: X-ray development equipment, silicone caulking compounds.
- Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory and mucous membrane irritation.
Carbon Dioxide
- Sources: Unvented gas and kerosene appliances, improperly vented devices, processes or operations which produce combustion products, human respiration.
- Acute health effects: Difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, increased respiration rate.
Carbon Monoxide
- Sources: Tobacco smoke, fossil-fuel engine exhausts, improperly vented fossil-fuel appliances.
- Acute health effects: Dizziness, headache, nausea, cyanosis, cardiovascular effects, and death.
Formaldehyde
- Sources: Off-gassing from urea formaldehyde foam insulation, plywood, particle board, and paneling; carpeting and fabric; glues and adhesives; and combustion products including tobacco smoke.
- Acute health effects: Hypersensitive or allergic reactions; skin rashes; eye, respiratory and mucous membrane irritation; odor annoyance.
Nitrogen Oxides
- Sources: Combustion products from gas furnaces and appliances; tobacco smoke, welding, and gas- and diesel-engine exhausts.
- Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory and mucous membrane irritation.
Ozone
- Sources: Copy machines, electrostatic air cleaners, electrical arcing, smog.
- Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory tract, mucous membrane irritation; aggravation of chronic respiratory diseases.
Radon
- Sources: Ground beneath buildings, building materials, and groundwater.
- Acute health effects: No acute health effects are known but chronic exposure may lead to increased risk of lung cancer from alpha radiation.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)
- Volatile organic compounds include trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, alcohols, methacrylates, acrolein, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides.
- Sources: Paints, cleaning compounds, moth-balls, glues, photocopiers, "spirit" duplicators, signature machines, silicone caulking materials, insecticides, herbicides, combustion products, asphalt, gasoline vapors, tobacco smoke, dried out floor drains, cosmetics and other personal products.
- Acute health effects: Nausea; dizziness; eye, respiratory tract, and mucous membrane irritation; headache; fatigue.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-4. Acute health effects of Carbon Monoxide are _____.
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