Introduction

When you think about air pollution, you probably think about the outside air becoming polluted from human activities such as burning fossil fuels or the use of CFCs. Just because you are in a building does not mean that you escape the threats of air pollution. Indoor air pollution can be just as harmful, and in some cases, more harmful, to human health as the pollution that is in the air outside of your house. It is estimated that indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outside air. Indoor air pollution is believed to cause or irritate 50% of all illnesses, and the EPA found that Americans spend about 87% of their lives indoor.

There are many different pollutants that can cause indoor air pollution. Just as with outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution can occur from natural causes, as well as human causes.

In this lesson, you will learn about different sources of indoor air pollution, effects of indoor air pollution on human health, and what can be done to minimize indoor air pollution.

how is the air quality in your home?
Well? Do you know?

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • identify pollutants that can cause indoor air pollution.
  • Determine ways to reduce indoor air pollution.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Environmental Science 16

Enduring Understanding:

  • Like second-hand smoke, indoor air pollution can be as or more harmful than outdoor pollution. Knowledge of where these pollutants come from and how to minimize their emission can help reduce the risk of harm to our bodies.

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R9, R10, W1, W2, W3, W4, W9, and W10

 

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