Indoor Air Pollution and Health Hazards in Elderly

Introduction

Air pollution impacts the human body in the short and long term and in ways that are detrimental to one’s health. Vulnerable people are at higher risk. Exposure to air pollution has been associated with cognitive decline in the elderly (geriatric) population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution was found to elevate the risk of certain diseases like heart disease, acute respiratory infections, and lung cancer. Elderly individuals tend to spend most of their time indoors, where they may be exposed to indoor air pollutants, even at low concentrations, for prolonged periods of time.

How Does Poor Air Quality Affect the Elderly?

Poor air quality affects the elderly in the following ways:

• As individuals age, the body has limited ability to cope with the effects of environmental hazards. Air pollution can exacerbate stroke, heart diseases, and lung diseases like asthma (a condition in which the airways become inflamed), chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (a group of lung diseases that hinder airflow and cause difficulty breathing), and diabetes.

• This can result in increased use of medications, frequent visits to the hospital, admissions to hospitals and emergency rooms, and even death.

• Ozone and particulate matter (PM- particularly smaller, fine particle pollution called PM 2.5) have the maximum potential to affect the health of the elderly.

• Fine particle pollution has been associated with heart attacks, asthma attacks, premature death, the development of chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the airways that lead to the lungs), and so on. Ozone, even at minimal levels, can aggravate respiratory diseases.

What Are the Major Causes of Indoor Air Problems?

The major cause of indoor air quality problems is indoor pollutants that release gasses or particles into the air. Inappropriate ventilation can elevate indoor pollutant levels by not allowing sufficient outdoor air to get rid of emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor pollutants outside. Humidity levels and high temperatures can also elevate the concentrations of certain pollutants. There are various sources of indoor air pollution. A few of these are as follows:

• Tobacco products.

• Fuel-burning combustion appliances.

• Excess moisture.

• Furnishings and building materials like newly installed flooring, carpet, or upholstery, deteriorated asbestos-containing insulation, and furniture or cabinets made of certain pressed wood products.

• Outdoor sources like pesticides, radon, and outdoor air pollution.

• Products for personal care, household cleaning, and maintenance.

• Central heating and cooling systems, humidification devices, and so on.

The amount of hazard caused by a single source depends on the amount of a given pollutant that the source emits and how hazardous those emissions are. Also, factors like proper maintenance of the source, and how old the source is also matter. Certain sources like furnishings, building materials, and products like air fresheners can emit pollutants less or more continuously. Other sources linked with cleaning, smoking, or doing hobbies can emit pollutants intermittently. Improperly used products and unvented or malfunctioning appliances can release higher and even dangerous levels of pollutants indoors.

Who Is at Risk of Being Affected by Indoor Pollutants?

Many studies and reports show that the following people may be at higher risk of being affected by indoor pollutants like secondhand smoke, asthma triggers, radon, mold, and so on.

• Elderly.

• Children.

• Minority.

• Low-income.

• Tribes and indigenous people.

What Are the Immediate and Long-Term Effects of Indoor Air Pollution on Health?

The immediate and long-term effects are as follows:

• Immediate Effects: Certain health issues may crop up following a single exposure or repeated exposure to a particular pollutant. These include irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. These immediate effects usually last short-term and are treatable. Simple treatment may involve refraining from exposure to the source of the pollutant if the source can be identified. Immediately following exposure to certain indoor air pollutants, symptoms of diseases like asthma may get triggered, aggravated, or worsened. The susceptibility of immediate response to indoor air pollutants is influenced by several factors like age and preexisting medical conditions. In certain cases, the reaction of the individual to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which can differ from person to person. Few individuals can become sensitized to chemical or biological pollutants following repeated or high-level exposures. Certain immediate signs and symptoms mimic those of colds or other viral diseases. Hence, it might be challenging to determine whether the symptoms are due to exposure to indoor air pollution. Hence, it is necessary to pay attention to the place and time symptoms manifest. If the symptoms gradually diminish or resolve when the individual stays away from the area, then one must try to identify indoor air sources that might be triggering the issue. Certain symptoms may worsen due to an inadequate supply of outdoor air that comes indoors or from the cooling, heating, or humidity conditions that are present indoors.

• Long-Term Effects: Other health issues may surface either years after exposure or only after prolonged or repeated periods of exposure. These effects include heart disease, respiratory diseases, and cancer, which can be severely debilitating and fatal. It is important to enhance the indoor air quality in one’s home even if the symptoms are not noticeable. Though indoor air pollutants can cause many harmful effects, there is certain uncertainty regarding what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to cause certain health issues.

Further research is required to understand what type of health effects occur following exposure to the average pollutant concentrations present in homes and which occur from the higher concentrations that manifest for short periods of time.

What Are Some of the Ways in Which Indoor Air Pollution Can Be Prevented?

The following are some of the ways:

• Pillows and mattresses should be covered with special mite-proof protective casing to keep the dust mites away.

• Beddings, removable covers, and clothes should be washed frequently in hot water to get rid of dust mites and dander.

• The humidity level should be maintained ideally at 30 to 50 percent. A dehumidifier should be used to reduce the moisture if it exceeds the ideal level.

• The home should be vacuumed regularly with a vacuum containing HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air filter) to eradicate the allergens from the surfaces.

• Carpets should be replaced with tiles, wood, or linoleum.

• Areas with mold growth should be cleaned with a 5 percent bleach solution and water.

• Wet surfaces should be mopped off to prevent the growth of molds.

• Mold-infested wallpaper, curtains, and wallpaper should be disposed of.

• Sinks and showers should be cleaned with a small amount of detergent and 5 percent bleach.

• Home appliances and other electronic devices should be serviced regularly.

• One must refrain from smoking indoors, especially when elderly people are around.

Conclusion

The quality of air inside and around buildings and structures, especially related to the health and comfort of the existing occupants, is called indoor air quality (IAQ). Understanding and controlling common indoor pollutants can minimize the risk of indoor health concerns. Health effects due to indoor air pollutants may have short-term or long-term impacts. Elderly individuals are at an elevated risk of developing problems due to indoor air pollutants since they have limited ability to compensate for the effects of environmental hazards. Hence, efforts should be taken to keep the indoor environment safe and healthy.