What Are Indoor Pollutants?

Indoor air pollution involves a great deal more than mold. There are many indoor pollutants that can produce health effects similar to mold. The difference lies in peoples acceptance of conditions that are less than desirable.

Occasionally, we are called to collect mold samples in a home or building because of odors or discomfort felt by the occupants. Once the laboratory results come back showing normal levels of mold spores, we must turn our attention to other concerns.

There are two main categories of indoor contaminants:

• Biological contaminants: Mold, bacteria, pollen, and viruses. Certain molds produce microbial volatile compounds (MVOC) and some of these are known to be toxic. Mold gives off a musty odor, while bacteria gives off an odor similar to rotten eggs.

• Chemical contaminants: Adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde. The smell varies according to the chemicals. Tobacco smoke can also contribute to high levels of VOCs.

The Environmental Protection Agency states that certain VOCs are carcinogens. It warns that low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may produce acute reactions and some can cause chronic and acute health effects at high concentrations. See IMPROVING AIR QUALITY WITH PLANTS.

Sick Building Syndrome, or SBS, refers to certain symptoms that affect some occupants while they are in a building and disappear when they leave. The symptoms cannot be traced to specific pollutants or sources. It is believed that energy conservation measures following the energy crunch of the 70s have contributed to SBS. The superinsulation improved energy efficiency while reducing fresh air exchange. In the late 1970s, workers began complaining of various health problems, such as itchy eyes, skin rashes, drowsiness, respiratory and sinus congestion, headaches, and other allergy-related symptoms. Dr. Wolverton offered the following explanation:

"The airtight sealing of buildings contributed significantly to the workers health problems. Similarly, synthetic building materials, which are known to emit or off-gas various organic compounds, have been linked to numerous health complaints."16

In 1989, the EPA submitted a report to Congress in which more than 900 organic chemicals were identified in newly constructed buildings. The report warned that some chemicals were in amounts one hundred times the norm. Today, the EPA states that contaminant concentration levels rarely exceed existing standards and guidelines even when occupants continue to report health complaints.17 Considering the large number of VOCs found in buildings, collecting air samples of volatile compounds may or may not identify possible causes of occupants discomfort.

While working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dr. Wolverton conducted many experiments involving the use of indoor plants to help remove indoor contaminants. His research concluded that specific plants play a role in removing specific volatile compounds, such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and others.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Charles and Danielle Dobbs are principals of Dobbs Enterprises, a mold inspection and sampling company based in Maitland, Florida. They are authors of Mold Matters Solutions and Prevention, and have written many articles. They founded the International Institute of Professional Mold Inspectors, http://www.iipmi.com where they offer online courses on water intrusion and mold management. A unique telephone consulting service, a first in the nation, provides homeowners and building owners with an unbiased expert opinion or guidance about their particular mold problem.

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