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The following
is a comparative analysis of the costs and benefits associated with
several indoor air pollutants. The table was compiled as we researched
into the health effects and monitoring potential of each indoor air
pollutant.
We considered the associated death rate and other associated health
effects, the cost of implementation and the chance of success with
each air pollutant. In several circumstances, a pollutant was found
to have substantial health effects and associated mortality rates
but the chance of implementing a health service was deemed to be small.
In comparing the mortality associated with air pollutants a useful
"benchmark" is the number of deaths due to smoking and road
accidents. In the UK smoking kills 40,000 people per annum, whilst
3,400 people are killed annually on the roads. This serves as useful
comparative indicator of the danger of each indoor air pollutant.
Where outdoor air pollutants have been considered, e.g. for PM10s
and NOx, it is because the health effects impact on people in the
home or the pollutants are formed in the home. In the case of NOx,
it was discovered that there was, as yet, no link between the pollutant
and mortality. When considering the small amounts that can be formed
in the home from faulty heating appliances, this effect is further
reduced. PM10s cause the greatest mortality of any pollution and the
UK death rate quoted here (10,000) should takes outdoor pollution
levels into account. Deaths caused by indoor PM10s might be around
a third of this absolute value since "one third of all particles
come from the home or work" (Commonwealth Science Council)
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INDOOR AIR POLLUTANT
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UK
DEATH
RATE
(YEARLY)
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HEALTH
EFFECTS
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COST
(PER
SENSOR)
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CHANCE OF SUCCESS
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REASON
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GROUP
DECISION
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RADON
GAS
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2,000-3,300
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CARCINOGENIC,
LUNG CANCEER
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£39
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LIMITTED
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NO CONTINUOUS SENSORS,
SINGLE REMEDIAL MEASURE REQUIRED.
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No
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ASBESTOS
FIBRES
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4,500
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CARCINOGENIC,
LUNG CANCER,
ASBESTOSIS
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N/A
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NONE
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MICROSCOPES
REQUIRED
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No
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FORMALD-EHYDE
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NOT
KNOWN
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SUSPECTED CARCINOGEN
NAUSEA, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES
ASTHMA
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£30
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LIMITTED
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CONTINUAL MONITORING NOT POSSIBLE
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No
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NOx
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DEATHS
NOT PROVEN
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DAMAGE TO LUNGS, SUSPECTED CARCINOGEN,
MUTAGEN
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ȣ200
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VERY
LIMITTED
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SENSORS LARGE, EXPENSIVE
FOUND
OUTDOORS
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No
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PM10s
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10,000 (IN + OUT)
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CARCINOGENIC,
LUNG AND HEART DISEASE ASTHMA ATTACKS
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£600+
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LIMITTED
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SENSORS BULKY,COSTLY,
COMPLICATED
OUTDOOR SOURCE
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No
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PM10s
(MOULD/ DUSTMITES)
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SEVERAL
SUSPECTED MORTALITIES
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ALLERGIC REACTIONS
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£39
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GOOD
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PM10 CONC.
REDUCED WITH HUMIDITY LEVELS
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Yes
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CARBON
MONOXIDE
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50
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HEADACHES,
NAUSEA,
FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS,
BRAIN DAMAGE
DEATH.
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£12
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GOOD
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POLLUTANT FORMED IN HOME.
EASILY REMEDIED. LOW CONC. NOT
WIDELY MEASURED
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Yes
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