Indoor air can be a complex mixture of combustion gases from heating and cooking, particulates from wood stoves or fireplaces, heavy metals from dust, and volatile organics from cleaners and furnishings. Children are particularly susceptible to adverse health effects from these contaminants. Young children spend the majority of their time indoors at home or at daycare centers, while older children spend most of their time at school, at home, or at indoor events. Like adults, children may experience five types of short-term reactions to indoor air pollutants: irritation, intoxication, infection, hypersensitivity, or psychogenic illness. Irritant gases such as formaldehyde or chlorine gas in low concentration may cause symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, and respiratory complaints. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, a product of incomplete combustion, may induce acute poisoning. Infectious diseases such as Legionnaire's Disease may be transmitted by inhalation of bacteria in droplets of water from aerosol producing devices. Molds, insects, or dust mites may induce hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals. Finally, indoor air odors may precipitate psychogenic illness, particularly in adolescents. Environmental tobacco smoke, the most common indoor contaminant, is both an irritant and carcinogenic gas that predisposes to infectious disease. In addition to short-term effects, indoor contaminants such as radon and asbestos contribute to long-term cancer risk. The authors will present examples of both short-term and long-term health effects of indoor air contaminants during the panel discussion.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. List three major contributors to indoor air pollution impacting children. 2. Recognize the importance of the pediatric environmental health history in determining possible sources of exposure and potential health impact on affected children. 3. Articulate to other health care professionals, public health officials and parents the importance of the indoor environments that may adversely impact children's health. 4. Describe common examples of potential health effects in children from indoor exposures seen at a Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU).
Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Indoor Environment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.