Particulates

Particulate matter (also referred to as PM or particle pollution) is a complex mixture of solid and/or liquid particles suspended in air. These particles can vary in size, shape and composition.

The EPA is especially concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because these particles are inhalable.

Health Effects of Inhalable Particles

Exposure to inhalable particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Many studies directly link the size of particles to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles (less than 10 micrometers in diameter) can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. People with heart or lung diseases such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), children and older adults may be at greater risk from PM exposure. Scientific studies have linked PM exposure to a variety of health impacts, including:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation;

• Aggravation of coronary and respiratory disease symptoms; and

• Premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

Indoor Sources of particulates

PM found indoors will include particles of outdoor origin that migrate indoors and particles that originate from indoor sources. Indoor PM can be generated through cooking, combustion activities (including burning of candles, use of fireplaces, use of unvented space heaters or kerosene heaters, cigarette smoking) and some hobbies. Indoor PM can also be of biological origin.
For more information on major indoor combustion related sources see also:

• Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces and Chimneys

• Environmental Tobacco Smoke

VOC’s

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands including the adhesives used in furniture and flooring manufacturing, tanned leather products, carpeting and cabinetry.

Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products. Fuels are also made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.

In addition VOCs emitted from chemicals and man made materials, another type of VOCs occur naturally from bacteria, molds and biofilms, these are known as MVOCs. This gaseous emission is commonly the source of the musty smell associated with moldy areas. They are only produced by viable molds and their detection is commonly a component in determining the extent of viable, or living, molds present in the built environment.

Health effects may include:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation

• Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea

• Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system

• Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include:

• conjunctival irritation

• nose and throat discomfort

• headache

• allergic skin reaction

• dyspnea

• declines in serum cholinesterase levels

• nausea

• emesis

• epistaxis

• fatigue

• dizziness

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect.

As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics include:

• Eye and respiratory tract irritation

• headaches

• dizziness

• visual disorders and memory impairment