Page 448 - Air pollution and greenhouse gases from basic concepts to engineering applications for air emission control

14.1 Introduction 429

Table 14.1 Incomplete list of sources of indoor air pollutants
Contamination (Examples) Typical sources
Asbestos • Insulation materials
• Ceiling and floor tiles
Combustion related • Open fire cooking
contaminants • Heating
• Tobacco smoking
• Incent
• Candle
Formaldehyde • Engineered board:
Dry wall, interior-grade plywood, cabinetry and furniture,
foam insulation, fabrics
• Building materials:
Adhesives, glues, furniture finishing, sealants, paints, stains,
varnishes, wood preservatives, new carpet dyes and fibers,
plastics
Biological contaminants • Indoor plants
(Allergen, mold, dust mite) • Animals
• Human beings
• Bedding for animals
• Wet or damp materials
Radon • Soil
• Rock
• Basement
• Some building materials
Nanoaerosol • Cooking
• Printer
• Photocopy machine
• Nanospray
None-combustion particulates • Dust
• Hair
• Skin
Volatile organic compounds • Daily consumable products
(VOCs) • Building materials

associated with the surface area rather than the diameters of inhaled asbestos;
Mesothelioma is most closely associated with numbers of asbestos that are longer
than 5 μm and thinner than 0.1 μm or so; lung cancer is most closely associated
with those longer than about 10 μm and thicker than about 0.15 μm[3]. This does
not mean other asbestos fibers can be considered nonhazardous because all asbestos
can induce pathological responses and may contribute to the development of
asbestos-related diseases [4].
The trade and use of asbestos have been restricted or banned in many juris-
dictions. However, asbestos is not a health concern until it becomes airborne and
enters the respiratory system. Care must be executed when renovating asbestos
based old buildings.