Awareness session for HABITAT

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Organized by AIESEC – University of Peradeniya

SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

Thusitha Sugathapala
University of Moratuwa

30th May 2021

1
 OUTLINE

 The Big Picture

o Environment & Human
o Air Quality
o Air Pollution
 Indoor Air Pollution
 Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

2
 THE BIG PICTURE
 The Biosphere & the Environment
 The environment is a result of interactions
between the elements of the biosphere.
Atmosphere - Air
Hydrosphere - Water
Lithosphere - Soil
Ecosphere – Plant & animal, including human.
 The human society
 Is an integral part of the environment system.
 Most of the critical changes in the environment,
particularly the degradations & depletions, are
largely attributed to anthropogenic activities. 3
 THE BIG PICTURE
 Air as a Resource
 Main natural source that keeps plants, animals and people alive.
 A renewable resource, as it can be restored by natural means
faster than it is consumed by humans (in general).
 However, there are settings
where this natural phenomenon
is overpowered by human
activities, particularly results in
quality degradations.
 Indoor air pollution is one such
encounter with critical adverse
consequences and impacts.
4
 AIR QUALITY
 Clean Air
 Is a colorless, odorless and tasteless mixture of gases.
o Natural composition dry air: N2 (78.1%), O2 (20.9%), Ar (0.9%), CO2
(0.03%), Neon (0.002%) and traces of other components.
o Clean air not visible, but other objects therein
are more visible when the air is clean.
o Air also holds clouds of moisture that is visible.
 Air We Breathe
 Atmosphere is a prime mean for the spatial diffusion of variety of
other substances and a temporary mean of their accumulation.
o Such processes are referred to as Air Emission, that results change in
natural composition air (that we breathe) and degradation of its quality.
5
 AIR POLLUTION
 A Complex Phenomena
 Large number of
sources/processes
 Wide variety of
pollutants and
complex
dispersion
mechanisms
 Numerous
adverse effects &
Impacts
6
 INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Overview
 This refers to the air pollution within & around enclosed spaces
 Relates to the health and comfort of occupants.
 IAP is a result of two
source categories:
those that enter from
the outside; and those
generated within the
building space.
 Thus, indoor air can
be more seriously
polluted than outdoor.
7
 INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Some Observations
Time series data – Indoor & Outdoor Air Quality (Urban Household in SL)
400
Cooking + Cooking
350
Outdoor
Cleaning

300
Outdoor
PM10 Concentration (µg/m3)

Indoor AQ
250
Measurements
Outdoor AQ
200
Measurements
150

100
Sri Lanka Ambient AQ Standard for PM10 (24hrs) =100 µg/m3
50
WHO Standards PM10 (24hrs) =25 µg/m3

0
10:50:37
11:16:37
11:42:37
12:08:37
12:34:37
13:00:37
13:26:37
13:52:37
14:18:37
14:44:37

15:36:37
16:02:37
16:28:37
16:54:37
17:20:37
17:46:37
18:12:37
18:38:37
19:04:37
19:30:37
19:56:37
6:30:37
6:56:37
7:22:37
7:48:37
8:14:37
8:40:37
9:06:37
9:32:37
9:58:37
10:24:37

15:10:37
8
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Processes
 Combustion:
o Combustion or burning of fuels and materials
 Manufacturing processes:
o Emissions due to variety of processes.
 Evaporations
o Due to evaporation of volatile matter (chemicals/solvents/fuels).
 Fugitive emissions – Gases/Dust
o Emissions of gases or vapors from pressurized equipment.
o Particulate emissions due to open activities, fields, roadways and storage
piles (wear & tear; crushing, grinding, construction activities).
 Leaks / Spillage
o At various locations in material (chemical) delivery & storage systems.
 Natural sources:
o Wind, Volcanos, Forest fire, Plants & animals, Biological decays, etc. 9
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Categories
 Combustion sources (oil, gas, kerosene, coal,
wood, tobacco products);
 Building materials, wet or damp carpet,
cabinetry, furniture, floor, walls, broken bulbs;
 Paints, solvents & household cleaning products; Stationary
or
 Office equipment and various occupant activities; Mobile
 Biological contaminants: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, Sources

pet hair & dander, house dust, cockroaches,

mites, and pollen;
 Outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and
outdoor air pollution. 10
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Sources – Few Examples
Cook stoves (particularly biomass burning) Open burning (proximity to buildings)

Environmental tobacco Smoking Candles and Incense sticks

11
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Sources – Few Examples
Perfumes, Room fresheners and Cleaning agents Biological contaminants

12
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Sources – Few Examples
Paints, Glues, and Markers Pest Control

13
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Sources – Few Examples
Building Materials, Furniture and Textiles

14
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Sources – Few Examples
Office equipment and various occupant activities

15
 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
 Main Sources – Few Examples
Pet hair & dander

Thank You
16