Micro-organisms – Bacteria, Virus

Source

Humans are pathogen carriers, Plants, HVAC System - Cooling Coil and Drain Pans of Air Handling Units, Cooling Tower Sump, Air Circulation Ducts.

Potential health effects from exposure to micro-organism's:

Depending on exposure to micro-organism's human beings are susceptible to various diseases, few of them are listed below:

• Influenza
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• H1N1 Flu
• Viral Infections

Micro-organisms – Mold, Fungi

Source

Humans are pathogen carriers, Plants, HVAC System - Cooling Coil and Drain Pans of Air Handling Units, Cooling Tower Sump, Air Circulation Ducts.

Potential Health effects from exposure to Mold & Fungi:

Depending on exposure to micro-organism's human beings are susceptible to various diseases, few of them are listed below:

• Respiratory Infections
• Allergies
• Triggers Asthma
• Hay fever
• Legionnaire's Disease

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)

Source

Off-gassing from solvents, paints and thinners, insect repellents, hand-sanitizers and deodorizers

Potential health effects from exposure to VOC:

Majority of VOC's are carcinogenic in nature and are very harmful for Human beings

Short-term exposure to various VOC may cause:

• Irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Visual disorders
• Memory problems

Long-term exposure to various VOC may cause:

• Nausea
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
• Fatigue
• Loss of coordination
• Dizziness
• Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system
• Cancer

Formaldehyde

Source

Off-gassing from carpet cleaners, wood products, cosmetics and chemical cleaning agents.

Potential health effects from exposure to Formaldehyde:

Short-term:

• Neurological effects
• Irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat
• Headache
• Nausea
• Increased risk of asthma and allergies
• Skin contact with formaldehyde can cause:
  • Skin irritation and eczema
  • Gastrointestinal irritation

Long-term:

• Cancer
• Bronchitis
• Breathlessness

Particulate Matter (PM)

Extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. PM can be made up of a variety of components including nitrates, sulphates, organic chemicals (VOC’s), soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen or mold spores).

Source

Particle pollution mainly comes from motor vehicles, wood burning, industry waste, burning of agricultural waste, dust storms.

The size of particles affects their potential to cause health problems:

• PM 10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometer or less): these particles are small enough to pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects.
• PM 2.5 and PM 1 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 / 1 micrometer or less): these particles are so small they can get deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream.

Potential health effects from exposure to particulate matter:

There are many health effects from exposure to particulate matter.

Short-term exposure (hours to days) can lead to:

• Irritated eyes, nose and throat
• Worsening asthma and lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis (also called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD)
• Heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heart beat) in people with heart disease
• Increases in hospital admissions and premature death due to diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Long-term exposure can lead to:

• Reduced lung function
• Development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases
• Increased rate of disease progression
• Reduction in life expectancy

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Source

It is usually generated by motor vehicles and industry, agriculture waste and wood burning. Indoors, carbon monoxide is formed by gas heaters, wood-burning heaters, and contained in cigarette smoke.

Potential health effects from exposure to carbon monoxide:

Carbon monoxide can cause harmful health effects by reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the body’s organs (like the heart and brain) and tissues. At extremely high levels, carbon monoxide can cause death (carbon monoxide poisoning).

• Flu-like symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue
• Chest pain in people with coronary heart disease
• At higher concentration: impaired vision and coordination, dizziness and confusion
• Potentially serious health effects on unborn babies when exposed to high levels

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Source

Outdoor air, emitted by burning coal, oil, gasoline, and natural gas. Indoor Air emitted by human beings, burning coal and natural gas.

Potential health effects from exposure to carbon dioxide:

Short-term:

• Loss in Cognitive thinking
• Suffocation by displacement of air
• Incapacitation and unconsciousness
• Headaches
• Vertigo and double vision
• Inability to concentrate
• Tinnitus
• Seizures

Long-term:

• Changes in bone calcium
• Changes in body metabolism

Ozone (O₃)

Source

Ozone is found in two areas of the Earth’s atmosphere: in the upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us by filtering out damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Ground level ozone is the main component of smog and is the product of the interaction between sunlight and emissions from sources such as motor vehicles and industry. Ground level ozone is more readily formed during the summer months and reaches its highest concentrations in the afternoon or early evening. This includes ozone generated by ozone generators.

Potential health effects from exposure to Ozone:

• Irritation and inflammation of eyes, nose, throat and lower airways: coughing, sore and scratchy throat or uncomfortable feeling in chest
• Reduced lung function: not able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as you normally would
• Exacerbation of asthma and chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis (also called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD)
• Increased susceptibility to respiratory infections
• Can continue to damage lungs when symptoms have disappeared

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

Source

Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas formed by emissions from motor vehicles, industry, gas-heaters and gas stove tops. High concentrations can be found especially near busy roads, Parking lots and indoors where gas-heaters are in use.

Other indoor sources can be from cigarette smoke or from cooking with gas. Outdoors, nitrogen dioxide contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone (O3) as well as particulate matter pollution.

Potential health effects from exposure to nitrogen dioxide:

Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritant and has a variety of adverse health effects on the respiratory system.

• Increased susceptibility to lung infections in people with asthma
• Increased susceptibility to asthma triggers like pollen and exercise
• Worsened symptoms of asthma – more frequent asthma attacks
• Airway inflammation in healthy people

Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)

Source

Iron and steel mills, petroleum refineries and pulp & paper mills, Waste land fills. Small sources include residential, commercial and industrial space heating.

Potential health effects from exposure to Sulphur dioxide:

Sulphur dioxide irritates the lining of the nose, throat and lungs and may worsen existing respiratory illness especially asthma. It has also been found to exacerbate cardiovascular diseases.

• Narrowing of the airways leading to wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath
• More frequent asthma attacks in people with asthma
• Exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases