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Indoor Air Pollution in India
The Crisis of Indoor Air Pollution
Context: Indoor air pollution in India is a serious concern, often overshadowed by outdoor air pollution.
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- Poor insulation in buildings allows outdoor pollutants to enter indoor spaces.
- Activities inside buildings and materials used in construction also contribute to indoor air pollution.
- Urban residents spend 70–90% of their time indoors, yet the focus on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is minimal.
Understanding Indoor Air Pollution
- While rural areas in India still primarily struggle with indoor air pollution due to the burning of solid fuels for cooking, the urban scenario presents a different challenge. With widespread adoption of cleaner cooking fuels in cities, a new set of pollutants has emerged.
- According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the condition of air within and around buildings, particularly in relation to the health and comfort of occupants. Controlling common indoor pollutants can reduce health risks substantially.
- Indoor sources include:
- Indoor activities like smoking, deep frying, or burning incense and mosquito coils
- Building materials and furnishings which may emit chemicals such as formaldehyde
- Cleaning products that release volatile organic compounds
- Biological contaminants like mould, often thriving in India’s humid conditions
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
- Based on information from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (U.S.), indoor air pollution includes:
- Allergens: Trigger immune reactions; linger on furniture and carpets.
- Asbestos: Carcinogenic fibers from old fireproof building materials.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): Odorless toxic gas from burning fuels.
- Formaldehyde: Found in furniture, glues, carpets; a known carcinogen.
- Lead: Present in old paint, pipes, ceramics, and cosmetics.
- Mould: Fungus that grows in damp areas, harmful when inhaled.
- Pesticides: Used to kill pests; can linger indoors.
- Radon: Radioactive gas from soil, enters buildings through cracks.
- Smoke: From cigarettes, stoves, and wildfires; contains multiple toxins.
Health Impacts
- Short-term exposure: Eye/nose/throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue.
- Long-term exposure: This can lead to respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer.
- High CO₂ levels: Caused by overcrowding and poor ventilation, may lead to sickness symptoms.
- Difficulty in diagnosing IAQ-related illnesses as symptoms mimic common ailments.
Can Building Design Mitigate Indoor Air Pollution?
- Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO of the Global Network for Zero, highlights that poor ventilation is a leading contributor to indoor pollution.
- Sealed windows and doors may keep outdoor pollutants out temporarily, but they also trap indoor pollutants, allowing them to recirculate. Designing for healthier indoor environments could include:
- Opening doors and windows, where possible
- Incorporating natural sunlight and indoor plants
- Avoiding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde in materials
- Installing HEPA filters and air purifiers
- Ensuring proper ventilation systems, especially in sterile settings like hospitals
- The idea is to move toward intentional design, including elements like skylights, open pathways, and zones with fewer people to encourage air movement.
Practical Design Solutions and Retrofitting
- Architect Sumita Vasudevan from Chennai-based APRObuild states that while integrating healthy design elements is easier during new construction, retrofitting old buildings is possible and becoming more feasible.
- “Green building materials are no longer prohibitively expensive, and post-COVID, the importance of filtered air is being recognised, especially in public and healthcare buildings,” she adds.
- Easy-to-clean surfaces
- Zoned spaces to limit overcrowding
- Maximised natural lighting
- Proper waste disposal systems
- Air-conditioning systems with good air filters
