Blog

Wounded earth air pollution

Wounded Earth - Effects of Air Pollution

By Dr Shashi K | Feb 07, 2019 | 0 Comments

Air pollution is not merely a threat to our health but a reminder that our most celebrated technological achievements are in fact environmental failures. Be it automobiles or jet planes or power plants, they are all guzzling down precious fossil fuels. Some ways to reduce pollution include energy conservation, switching to renewables, and following the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Labour Care = The Human Factor

By Dr. Shashi K | APR 11, 2019 | 0 Comments

Our urban scene anywhere in India appears like a permanent construction site. All along the construction sites, the lesser privileged live in temporary accommodations. Most of these people are the victims of the vagaries of the weather or early victims of climate change related droughts who come to cities for some opportunities. Labor care therefore is one of the most important considerations that we as a construction firm are completely committed to.

lobour
Which Electric Vehicles Are Available In India

Diesel, Petrol, or Electric Vehicle: How Can I Decide Which Is Best For Me?

By Dr Shashi K | Apr 4, 2019 | 0 Comments

Electric vehicle has been a human fancy for a long time. However, never before the urgency to have electric vehicles as mainstream vehicle had been more than in recent times. This is particularly significant as electric vehicles are clean energy vehicles and something that can help wean us away from our fossil fuel addiction. Electric vehicles are also non-polluting and will propel urban ecosystems to become cleaner and better.

Why Should We Use Star Rated Appliances?

By Dr. Shashi K | Mar 28, 2019 | 0 Comments

A higher star rated appliance will assure you save money for the life of the appliance. A monthly saving of just 200 units would put Rs.1,700 in your pocket at current electricity rates. Over ten years this means Rs.2,04,000 and over 25 years this means Rs. 5,10,000, factor in this cost when you buy a new appliance. While earlier it was difficult to understand the energy efficiency quotient of appliances, now the star ratings helps us understand the potential of savings directly.

Star rated
Why is it important for everyone to know about Biodiversity-1

Biodiversity Loss and What We Can Do About It?

By Dr Shashi K | Mar 21, 2019 | 0 Comments

We are losing some of our unique ecological niches because of the direct and indirect disturbances that we humans create in our ecosystem. As a result of the changes in land use, pollution, global warming, and physical destruction of ecosystems, species are getting extinct. Although extinction of species is a natural Darwinian process, the rate at which the species are getting extinct now is unprecedented. It is entirely possible to stop the accelerated loss of biodiversity by making changes in our life-style. And it’s all……… worth it.    

Why Is Renewable Energy Important? Types of Renewables

By Dr. Shashi K | Mar 14, 2019 | 0 Comments

Nothing, perhaps nothing else that matters so much is more appropriately named than how energy is classified. Embedded in the name of renewables is the core of what renewable energy delivers. It is the form of energy that can be renewed endlessly as it makes use of the resources that are a part and parcel of the Earth’s natural system, be it oceans and tides, water, wind, sunlight and even accessible heat energy stored in the Earth.

Why is renewable energy important-1
INDOOR AIR QUALITY(1)-1

Indoor Air Quality

By Dr Shashi K | Mar 07, 2019 | 0 Comments

Indoor air quality is mostly an undervalued asset as there is very little awareness about its correlation with overall health and well-being. Outdoor quality contributes to it to some extent, but many indoor air pollutants are not really suspected as cause of pollution that can be harmful to humans. Biological, chemical and particle pollution can create significant distress to all humans especially most vulnerable sections of the society just as newly born babies and old people. 

Organic Gardening - Vertical, Terrace, and Regular Gardens

By Dr. Shashi K | Feb 28, 2019 | 0 Comments

Gardening offers some less visible, but equally sustaining benefits - whether it is a vertical garden, a kitchen garden, a backyard garden or a roof-top garden. Home gardening helps close the loop from organic waste to compost to growing vegetables. It not only helps in reducing the heat gain on the roof/terrace and other areas at home but also contributes to enriched soil and reduced landfill waste. Besides, eating fresh fruits and vegetables immediately after harvesting assures high level of nutrition and satisfaction.

Organic Gardening
Conventional Water Treatment-1-1

What is Wrong with the Conventional Water Treatment Options: What are the Alternatives?

By Dr Shashi K | Feb 21, 2019 | 0 Comments

Waste water treatment has traditionally been the responsibility of municipal corporations, but due to water scarcity it is now mandatory for industrial and residential developments to treat sewage before releasing it. Conventional treatment of grey water requires oxygenation, which is energy consuming and generates large amounts of sludge that needs responsible disposing. On the other hand, a plant-based system (Phytorid) is a tried and tested technology that achieves the same results at minimal cost without expending energy or using harmful chemicals.

Is Solar PV A Feasible Solution For Our Power Needs?

By Dr. Shashi K | Feb 14, 2019 | 0 Comments

Reduce or eliminate energy bills. Earn tax credits and rebates. Start savings from Day 1. Help the environment and help us all. Solar power systems derive clean, pure energy from the sun. Installing solar panels at home helps combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduces our collective dependence on fossil fuel. Traditional electricity is sourced from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. For a country with abundant sunshine and poor connectivity, using solar power to generate electricity clearly appears to be the way to go!

solar power panel
Wounded earth air pollution

Wounded Earth - Effects of Air Pollution

By Dr Shashi K | Feb 07, 2019 | 0 Comments

Air pollution is not merely a threat to our health but a reminder that our most celebrated technological achievements are in fact environmental failures. Be it automobiles or jet planes or power plants, they are all guzzling down precious fossil fuels. Some ways to reduce pollution include energy conservation, switching to renewables, and following the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Organic Outlets in the City of Hyderabad

By Seetha Anand | Nov 28, 2018 | 0 Comments

In the last decade or so, there has been a rise in the number of organic stores and farmers bazaars in the city of Hyderabad. This has been the trend world over and the twin cities have caught up on it too. Today there are many players in the market.

blog image
IMG-20180926-WA0031

Vegan Options in the City of Hyderabad

By Seetha Anand | Nov 28, 2018 | 0 Comments

Veganism is slowly but surely catching up in the city of Hyderabad. A vegan diet means no dairy, eggs, honey, meat, poultry or fish -- abstinence from all animal products. People turn vegans for reasons of health, prevention of animal cruelty and for environmental protection.

Indoor Air Quality

Mar 7, 2019 10:41:25 AM / by Dr Shashi K

Indoor Air Quality White image

These days we read a lot about how polluted our cities are due to smog, emissions from automobiles, power plants etc., but seldom think of the air that we breathe indoors, where we spend almost 90% of our time. It is rather surprising to know that indoor air can be polluted, too.

In 2016, household air pollution was responsible for 7.7% of the global mortality (WHO study).

What is Indoor Air Quality?

What is indoor air quality-1

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within the buildings, such as our homes, place of work, schools, colleges, hospitals etc.

The quality of the indoor air is an area of concern, as it can impact the health, comfort, well-being, and productivity of the building occupants.

These pollutants get trapped inside the building and gets continuously recycled, owing to which the concentration of the most common indoor air pollutant is much higher than the outdoors. WHO studies on IAQ, show that more people may suffer from the effects of indoor air pollution than from outdoor air pollution.

Do You Want to Have A Eco-Friendly Home - Download Brochure Now

 

Classification and Source of Indoor Air Pollutants

Classification and source of Indoor air pollutants-1

To help reduce the risk of indoor air pollution, we must first understand the types and source of these common indoor air pollutants.

The indoor air pollutants can be classified as biological, chemical and particle, depending on the source of the pollutants.

Biological pollutants - bacteria, viruses, fungi, dust mites, animal dander, and pollen.

These biological pollutants are a result of inadequate maintenance and housekeeping, water spills, inadequate humidity control, condensation, or water intrusion through leaks in the building envelope or flooding.

Chemical pollutants – in the form of gases and vapours ex.

VOC which include emissions from products used in the building like office equipment; furniture, wall and floor coverings; pesticides; and cleaning and consumer products, accidental spills of chemicals, products used during construction activities such as adhesives and paints.

Other chemical pollutants are asbestos, lead and radon.

Gases such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide, are released while burning fuels such as biomass fuels (wood, dung, agricultural residues), kerosene and coal, for cooking and heating needs.

This is a major source of indoor air pollution, in developing countries.

Particle (Non-biological) - solid or liquid, non-biological, substances that are suspended in the air.

Dust, dirt, or other substances may be drawn into the building from outside.

Particles can also be produced by activities that occur in buildings such as construction, sanding wood or drywall, printing, copying, and operating equipment.

Types of particles found indoor are - TSP (Total suspended particulates) PM10, PM2.5, PM1.

 

What are the Effects of Indoor Air Pollution?

What are the effects of indoor air pollution-1

The effects of indoor air quality on our health can be seen soon after exposure or many years later, depending on the type of pollutants.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been linked to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Also, exposure to pollutants such as asbestos and radon, do not cause immediate symptoms but can lead to cancer after long exposure.

There is consistent evidence from WHO study on indoor air pollution that exposure to household air pollution can lead to acute lower respiratory infections in children under five, and lung cancer in adults.

Sustainable Eco-Living Villas - Book A Site Visit

 

What are The Ways To Improve IAQ?

What are the ways to improve IAQ(1)

Preventive measures to improve IAQ, should be directed first towards identifying the sources that may be possible causes and reduce exposure.

The measures to keep healthy indoor air are include:

  • Adequate ventilation - Let in fresh air so toxic chemicals don't build up within      home.
  • Control of airborne contaminants with proper maintenance and regular          housekeeping of the building interiors, to use mild cleaners.
  • Look for fragrance-free or naturally-scented laundry products
  • Using no-VOC or low-VOC paints and glues.
  • Bring nature indoors, it is proven by NASA research that indoor plants such as fern, areca palm are living air purifiers. They absorb the contaminants and keeps the air fresh.

References:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality
http://www.greenbuilding.com/indoor-air-quality/
https://www.webmd.com/lung/features/12-ways-to-improve-indoor-air-quality#3
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/indoorairquality/index.html

 

Dr Shashi K

Written by Dr Shashi K

Dr Shashi K is a sustainability professional with degrees in Environmental Management from Oxford University. She has experience working in Sustainability and on Green Buildings, Water, Energy and Reporting and is currently CEO of SAGE Sustainability, a consulting firm working in the field of social and environmental issues. Dr Shashi believes that the construction sector can be the foremost enabler in moving towards low carbon living.