Lead, house dust pollutant

Water vapor itself is not usually considered a pollutant, but the amounts generated in closed spaces such as in kitchens (that use gas for cooking) can favor the growth of house dust mites, moulds, and fungi, which in many cases lead to allergic reactions. 

House dust in carpets, on sofas, and in air ducts is both a major source and sink of pollutants in the home (Roberts et al. 1994). The lead on surfaces and the lead loading in a carpet (/igPb/m ) are the best predictors of a toddler s blood lead (Davies et al. 1990 Hilts 1994). Dust in carpets can also be a major source of exposure to pesticides and allergens (Lewis et al. 1994 Pope et al. 1993). We believe, but have only partially confirmed, that house dust is also a major source of childhood exposure for PAHs, PCBs, and other persistent pollutants. 

The acceptable risk of cancer from exposure to ambient air pollutants is usually considered to be 1/1,000,000 persons. The risk of cancer at Superfund sites is usually limited to 1/10,000. However, the risk of cancer from pollutants in air and dust in the home may exceed 1/1,000. The lead risks from soil at Superfund sites is set (500 ppm Pb) so that fewer than 1 in 20 children will have lead poisoning, but the average lead concentration in house dust in older homes may exceed 1000 ppm, and 1 toddler in 11 has lead poisoning. At least 1 person in 5 has allergies and asthma related to exposures to allergens in the home. 

Those studies conducted to date establish a basis for control of lead, pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, and allergens in indoor air and house dust. Track-in and accumulation of pollutants in rugs is an important source of exposure for children lead in dust is the major source of lead for most toddlers. The established benefits from reduced exposure to lead and allergens justify public education to reduce dust from track-in and inside sources as well as pollutants in indoor air. Action to control lead and allergens will reduce exposure to other pollutants in house dust and indoor air. It is possible that a nonregulatory education and outreach program with emphasis on public participation and pollution prevention will be more effective in the home than use of regulations and other traditional methods of pollution control. 

Estimate risks for lead, pesticides, PAHs, VOCs, and PCBs in house dust and indoor air using available data. These risk assessments should include synergistic interactions between pollutants that may increase total risk. 

As informed Dr. A.I. Korableva from Institute for Environmental Management and Ecology under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the report "Environmental impact of automobile transport by example of Dnepropetrovsk", Dnepropetrovsk with its annual discharge of air pollutants of 177,000 t (as of 1996) is among the worst affected cities in Ukraine. In these, the automobile transport was found to be responsible for at least 30 % of the total emissions which are 15 times the maximum permissible level. Aside from the dust, chemical, photochemical and noise pollution, there is the aspect of street washout of automobile-related pollutants into the River Dnieper. The measured annual receipts of lead, particulates and petroleum derivatives via rainwater and thaw water to the river are 0.45, 80,000+ and 1.8+ t respectively. The actual levels of petroleum derivatives in storm water sometimes were 206 times the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for the fishery basins. At 34 km downstream from the city, the estimated levels of petroleum derivatives and particulates are 61 and 10.8 times the respective MPCs. The airborne lead is mainly accumulated in the soil of housing areas. 

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