Survey of chemical substances in consumer products, 75 – Total health assessment of chemicals in indoor climate from various consumer products

Total health assessment of chemicals in indoor climate from various consumer products

2 Introduction and background

The indoor climate is important for the public health, because we reside far the greatest part of our life indoors. In average Danes are spending more than 16 hours per workday indoors at home.^[1] In addition, much time is spent indoors in offices, schools, institutions, etc. Taken together it is expected that Danes spend between 80 and 90 % of their life indoors. Therefore, stressors in the indoor climate may be very important for public health and comfort, including the total exposure to chemicals released from indoor sources. The danger is that this exposure is increased or intensified, because new materials and products are introduced. At the same time many buildings, because of wish of energy conservation, have been more sealed and have less ventilation. In addition, many studies show that the level of air pollution indoors is much higher than outdoors.

Indoor air is typically polluted by hundreds of chemicals in various concentrations. Traditionally, the focus has been on release of substances from building materials, including release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) to the air. These substances may impact the health and comfort of building users.^[2] Possible sources may be wood, paint and varnishers. The most important nuisance among VOCs is formaldehyde.

Many other substances may be released to the indoor climate from materials, e.g. fibres from insulation, PCB from sealing materials, formaldehyde from chip boards and phthalate plasticizers from PVC floors. In addition, pollutants are formed during various combustion processes in cigarettes, candle light, stoves, ovens, and boilers (particles, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, PAH, dioxin etc.). The formed pollutants may in some instances (e.g. ozone and terpenes) react and form secondary pollutants.

The indoor air quality also depends on:

Release by degassing or dust generation of chemicals from furniture (formaldehyde, VOC, flame retardants etc.), carpets (perfluoroalkyl-based dust repellants and flame retardants etc.) and other furnishings, textiles, leather, paper and clothing.
Degassing from TV, computer and other indoor electronic/electric apparatus (VOC, ozone, flame retardants, stabilisators, plasticizers, etc.). Flame retardants are used both in printed circuit boards and in chassis.
Degassing of chemicals from children’s toys etc. (plasticizers and flame retardants etc.) and hobby activities (VOC etc.). In addition direct exposure by migration.
Various everyday activities such as use of cleaning agents (perfume etc.), impregnation (VOC, PFOSA, organotin etc.), cosmetics (hair spray etc.) and air fresheners (perfume).
The indoor air quality is, of course, also influenced by room size, temperature and air flow. Some apparatus to air purification indoors are marketed but a positive effect is doubtful.^[3] Further, such apparatus will like other electric apparatus release chemicals.

Fodnoter

^[1] Lis Keiding, Lars Gunnarsen, Nils Rosdal, Mette Machon, Ralf Møller og Ole Valbjørn: Environmental factors of everyday life in Denmark – with special focus on housing environment. Edited by Lis Keiding. (In Danish with summary in English). National Institute of Public Health. Copenhagen 2003.

^[2] ECA-IAQ (European Collaborative Action "Indoor Air Quality and Its Impact on Man"), 1997. ”Evaluation of VOC emissions from building products - solid flooring materials”. Report 18. EUR 17334 EN. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Community.

^[3] Overgaard NS. Bedre luftrensere, men værdien stadig tvivlsom. Arbejdsmiljø 2003;3:51.