Air pollution has many sources, including industry, motor vehicles, home (e.g. from solid fuel heaters) and sporadic natural events, such as bushfires. The impact of air pollution can be viewed from a global, regional or local perspective. Recently, international concern has turned to a number of air pollutants which, though found in relatively small concentrations, have the potential to adversely affect human health and the environment through long-term exposure. These substances have been given a variety of names including 'hazardous air pollutants' and 'air toxics', the term adopted in this report.
Scientific understanding of the identity and risk posed by these pollutants is evolving. As a result of this still limited knowledge, the elements and compounds viewed with the greatest concern varies between countries and states. All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. Some we choose to accept because to do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives the way we want. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about.
In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.
Some health effects can be useful indicators of an indoor air quality problem, especially if they appear after a person moves to a new residence, remodels or refurnishes a home, or treats a home with pesticides. If you think that you have symptoms that may be related to your home environment, discuss them with your doctor or your local health department to see if they could be caused by indoor air pollution. You may also want to consult a board-certified allergist or an occupational medicine specialist for answers to your questions.
The Particle Counter can be used for:
» Monitoring clean rooms
» Indoor air quality investigations
» Monitoring gowning rooms
» Testing filter seals
» Locating particle contamination sources
» Monitoring particle size distributions
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