(7.3.

602)
BE AWARE! INDOOR AIR POLLUTION MAY LEAD TO
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARD
Dr. Ashutosh Kumar, G.C. Raturi, NN Ray* & Dr. T. Chakraborti*
Vigilance Section
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
108-Vasudhara Bhawan Bandra (E), Mumbai-400 097
*Institute of Petroleum Safety Health and Environment Management
ONGC, Betul, Goa

Abstract:
The productivity of any enterprise depends upon the health condition of its employees. The work centers
with polluted indoor atmosphere can adversely affect the working efficiency and health of the workers. It
can also have long-term impact on the individuals. The indoor air pollutants primarily consist of dust
particulates, moisture, and gases like Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen dioxide, semi volatile
organic compounds e.g. PCB, Dioxins etc. The basic difference in indoor and outdoor pollution lies in the
sources and the magnitude of pollutants concentration. The indoor pollution arises from both human and
natural activities. The indoor pollutants from natural processes are moisture content, biological aerosols,
allergens and the radon gas.
The indoor air pollution may lead to a serious health hazard to the personnel working on both the onshore
and offshore oil industry work centers. Studies show that the concentration of indoor air pollutants such
as carbon dioxide, carbon-monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, etc. are often found to be higher
than the outdoor concentration in buildings and structures lacking in proper ventilation. The indoor
pollution arises from both human and natural activities. The indoor pollutants from natural processes are
moisture content, biological aerosols, allergens and the radon gas. The biological aerosols are formed
from the bacteria, which are generated in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Allergens
originate from the plant origin and are carried by winds and find their way inside the buildings. Radon gasa naturally occurring radioactive gas migrates up from soil and rock in to basements and lower floors of
the houses. Sometimes the bricks, which are used as building materials also, contain radon. The
anthropogenic sources of indoor pollutants originate from the material and appliances used for inside
walls, finishing materials and appliances used for decoration of the households. The prolonged exposure
to these pollutants may cause headache, nausea, asthma etc. In cases of extreme eventualities it may be
fatal. Hence the indoor air pollution monitoring should be essentially carried out at the worksites to
estimate the concentration of air pollutants so that preventive and control measures may be undertaken
on time to safeguard the personnel from the deleterious impact of indoor air pollutants. Hence there is an
urgent need for the monitoring of indoor air pollutants at all the industrial worksites where the personnel
spend most of their time working inside the confined/closed rooms/ structures. This will help in detecting
the concentration of indoor air pollutants so that preventive and control measures may be undertaken in
time if the concentrations of the pollutants are found to be beyond the permissible limit.
This paper analyzes the various aspects of indoor air pollutants and their effects on occupational
health. On the basis of studies, it is recommended to have the indoor air quality monitoring of all the work
centers to plan necessary preventive and remedial action in time.

Introduction:
A great effort is being made these days to control & prevent the outdoor pollution both by the government
and the industrial enterprises all over the world .The pollution emission limits have been regulated and
industries are striving hard to achieve zero discharge of pollutants in order to protect the human being
and the ecosystem from the menace of deadly pollutants. However, the potential of air pollution threat
one has to face sitting inside the office /working centers/living quarters are much severe than the outdoor
pollutants. The indoor air pollutants concentration is found to be several times higher than the outdoors

air pollutants. The indoor air pollutants primarily consist of dust particulates, moisture, gases like Carbon
dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen dioxide, semi volatile organic compounds e.g. PCB, Dioxins etc.
which are also the components of outdoor pollution. The basic difference in indoor and outdoor pollution
lies in the sources and the magnitude of pollutants concentration. The indoor pollution arises from both
human and natural activities. The indoor pollutants from natural processes are moisture content,
biological aerosols, allergens and the radon gas.
The biological aerosols are formed from the bacteria, which are generated in heating, ventilation and air
conditioning systems. Allergens originate from the plant origin and are carried by winds and find their way
inside the buildings. Radon gas- a naturally occurring radioactive gas migrates up from soil and rock in to
basements and lower floors of the houses. Sometimes the bricks, which are used as building materials
also, contain radon. EPA has set the limit for Radon radiation at 4 Pci / L.
The anthropogenic sources of indoor pollutants originate from the material and appliances used for inside
walls, finishing materials and appliances used for decoration of the households.

Potential indoor air pollutants:

The indoor air pollutants, which are generally found to be present inside the building/ structures in very
high concentrations, can cause serious health hazards to the occupants. The high Indoor moisture
contents along with high temperature not only cause laziness but provide conducive environment for the
growth of microbes also. Formaldehyde, one of the widely found indoor pollutants that is usually one of
the building materials for most of the ply woods and the bonding material for particle board and wood
panels, is a probable carcinogen .It causes discomfort to eyes, nose, throat and skin at levels slightly
higher than 0.1 ppm. Severe headache and dizziness among the individuals exposed to higher levels of
formaldehyde have also been reported. At much higher concentration of Formaldehyde breathing
becomes difficult. The ambient air Formaldehyde levels range from 0.2 ppm on pacific island to 2 ppb in
troposphere. In USA the occupational level of Formaldehyde has been set at 0.05 4 ppm. The new
Urea-Formaldehyde bonded interior grade plywood with an emission rate of Formaldehyde up to
34mg/m3 and the particleboard having emission rate up to 25mg/m3 are also being used in some of the
buildings.
Asbestos, one of the building materials of most of the insulating substances used for making the
rooms/buildings energy efficient, has been found to be responsible for a particular type of lung cancer.
Asbestos consists of distinct needle like fibers of which those that are 0.1- 0.5 micro meters in size are
readily respired and absorbed in the lung and subsequently migrate to lymph ganglions where they
remain permanently as latent irritant. The asbestos products release these fibers, which remain airborne
and pose a serious health threat to the occupants of the building. Risk assessment compiled by the EPA
in 1979 showed a significant risk for all those who are exposed to more than five fibers per millimeter of
air for any length of time. The risk is highest for people who live or work in buildings with friable asbestos
tiles or insulation.Apart from the pollutants that are released in the indoor atmosphere from the appliances
used for interior decoration or insulation purposes, some common outdoor air pollutants are also found in
very high concentration in the indoor air and which are as follows:
Nitrogen oxide: It is soluble in biological tissues and is an oxidant .At higher concentrations it affects the
respiratory system. According to EPA reports in 1976 in Czechoslovakia children of age group 7-12 years
when exposed to NO2 concentration of 20- 70 micrograms were observed to have two-fold excess in
acute respiratory disease than the unexposed group.
Carbon monoxide: An odorless gas has average indoor concentration of few ppm only. But high
concentration of this gas may cause headache, fatigue, unconsciousness and eventually death.
Sulphur dioxide: It is a reactive gas and fully mixes with air at all temperatures. It dissolves in water and
is absorbed by and reacts with particleboard, gypsum board and many type of furnishings. It also
dissolves in water adsorbed on surfaces and subsequently oxidizes to form sulphate particulate in
presence of active particulate surfaces. The sulphate particulates are respirable and are known to cause

Asthma and other respiratory complications. The natural sulphur dioxide levels are found to be below 0.1
ppm. Carbon dioxide levels for indoor pollution in occupied rooms are found to be higher than outdoor
levels since the human metabolism produces about 5 ml co2/min. The indoor concentration of carbon
dioxide has been found in the range of 50- 1200 ppm. However, the recommended 8 hours carbon
dioxide concentration is 500 ppm. The higher concentration of carbon dioxide may cause suffocation and
in the event of extreme eventualities even death may occur.
Radon seepages: Many rocks and granite soil contain Uranium, which is a radioactive element. The 14step sequence of decay of U- 238 includes Radon- a gaseous element. The immediate precursor of the
radon is Radium-226, having a half-life period of 1600 years and which decays by emission of an Alfa
particle
Ra Rn + He
Ra- Radium
Rn- Radon
He- Helium
The Radon isotope has a half-life of 3.8 days. Radon gas mostly seeps through the holes and cracks in
the basements of the homes. The intake is increased significantly if the air pressure in the basement is
low. Surprisingly the very small background concentration of radon in air is responsible for about half of
the total exposure of radioactivity to the human being. Radon gas is chemically inert under ambient
conditions and remains a monatomic gas. In fact Radon gas does not pose much of a danger to the
human being. The danger arises because of the radioactivity arising from the three elements produced in
sequence during the disintegration of radon namely Polonium, lead and Bismuth. In microscopic
amounts these elements are solid and when formed in air from Radon they quickly adhere to dust
particles which when inhaled adhere to lungs and pose a health threat. In addition to this Polonium-218
and Polonium-214 that are produced from the decay of Radon-226, emit energetic Alfa particles that can
cause radiation damage to the bronchial cells near which the dust particle reside. This damage can
eventually lead to lung cancer. The sequence of radioactive decay of Radon is as follows
RaRnPoPbBiPoPbBi
Studies show that the exposure to Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas
exposure is also linked to different forms of cancer such as melanoma (a deadly form of skin cancer) and
leukemia. The EPA has set action levels for Radon radiation at 4 Pci/L.

Sources and impact of indoor air pollutants:

Indoor Air Pollutants
Sources
Ammonia
Tobacco smoke
Benzene
Benzopyrene
Xylene
Trichlorethylene
Hydrocarbons
Formaldehyde

Effects
Eye/skin irritation, headaches, nose
bleeds, sinus problems
Paint, new carpet, new drapes, Headaches,
eye/skin
irritation,
upholstery
fatigue, cancer
Tobacco smoke
Asthma attacks, eye/skin irritation,
sinus problems, lung cancer
Paint, new drapes, cleaning Headaches, dizziness, fatigue
supplies, new carpeting
Paints,
glues,
furniture, Headaches,
eye/skin
irritation,
wallpaper
respiratory irritation
Headaches,
eye/skin
irritation,
Tobacco smoke, gas burners, nausea, breathing difficulties
furnaces
Tobacco
smoke,
plywood Headaches,
eye/skin
irritation,
cabinets, furniture, particle board drowsiness,
fatigue,
respiratory
flooring and furniture, office problems, memory loss, depression,
dividers, new carpet, new gynecological problems, cancer
drapes, wallpaper, paneling

Common Particulate indoor Pollutants

Dust

Carpet, clothing, pollen, dirt,

paint, upholstery animal,
industrial
processes and
human skin

Eye irritation, allergies, eyeear, nose & throat infections,

asthma
attacks,
fatigue,
depression

Common Bioactive indoor air Contaminants:

Bacteria & Viruses
Genus Klebsiella
Bacillus subtilis
Legionalla pneumophila

Air
conditioning/heating
ducts,
pets,
garbage,
bathroom, water, food & air
Air, saliva, urine
Common
in
soil,
decomposing matter, dust, air
Air conditioning ducts

Colds,
flu,
respiratory
infections, eye infections
Chronic
infections
spec.
Urinary
tract,
severe
hemorrhagic pneumonia
Infections of wounds and eye
legionellosis
Fever

and

Pontiac

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS): The presence of indoor air pollutants in the building/ structures may
cause illness to the occupants, which is known as Sick building syndrome, a controversial illness that
ranges in severity from minor annoyances to chronic debilitating disorders that can force a person to
vacate a job and can severely impact one's quality of life. According to the Occupational Safety & Health
Administration concern over indoors air quality increased in the 1970s when energy conservation
measures in office buildings minimized the infiltration of outside air, contributing to the buildup of indoor
air contaminants. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines SBS as a `situation where
building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a
building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified'. When an illness is diagnosed and the
symptoms are attributed directly to airborne building contaminants, the U.S. EPA uses the term `buildingrelated illness' (BRI)."Indicators of SBS include symptoms associated with acute discomfort, such as
headaches; eye, nose or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; inability to
concentrate; and fatigue. Even though the direct cause of the symptoms is unknown, most sufferers
report experiencing relief when they leave the building. Although BRI has similar symptoms cough, chest
tightness, fever and chills, and muscle aches these symptoms can be clinically defined and there causes
clearly identified. Also, in cases of BRI, patients often complain of a delayed recovery time after leaving
the building.
The real cause of SBS is attributed to the indoor air pollutants. Some common air pollutants include
carbon monoxide and other contaminants entering the building through air-intake vents that are
connected to exhaust-filled loading docks and parking garages. Similarly, the stack effect, which occurs
when cigarette smoke gets sucked back into a building through revolving doors, is a hazard to building
occupants. Other potential SBS culprits are building materials including those in office furniture and
equipment and pesticides that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These organic chemicals have
been implicated as a cause of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a controversial disease that can make
people allergic to almost anything containing a synthetic chemical."
Historically, complaints associated with SBS were regarded as superfluous whining from lazy employees.
But the 1976 outbreak of a mysterious lung ailment during an American Legion Convention held at the
Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia forced the public to question the health effects of indoor air
contaminants. The outbreak, which came to be known as Legionnaires' disease, was due to the presence
of a contaminating bacterium, Legionella pneumophila, in water used to cool the hotel's air-conditioning
system. Thirty-four people died from the infection and 221 were infected. This incident and others that
ended up in the legal arena in the USA and began forcing employers to look at the construction and
environmental management of office .In USA, local and state governments are recognizing the damaging

effects of SBS and MCS and are forcing employers to accommodate sufferers, in addition to making
employers responsible for providing social benefits in the form of compensation and medical assistance.
Do we have a healthy indoor air environment at industrial work centers: In the offshore industrial
work centers personnel spend most of their time staying inside the confined structures, which are either
closed AC working place or AC living bunkhouses. These confined structures usually made of iron sheets
with proper inside insulation to make it energy efficient. The internal walls of these structures in addition
to the beds, working tables etc. are made of plywood. Both the insulating materials and the plywood used
for the above purpose may contain pollutants like Formaldehyde or asbestos as one of their building
materials. Under high moisture conditions, these pollutants are released and may adversely affect the
health of the occupants. Further the exhaust gases from the running engines, the smoke released during
the cooking of foods and smoking and the vapors from the evaporation of chemicals from different
chemical processes find their way inside the indoor environment. This may significantly raise the indoor
concentration of noxious gases like CO2, NOx, CO, etc. The situation may worsen if the AC systems do
not function efficiently. The effectiveness of AC system depends on the proper design of the equipment
relative to the building, on installation and on correct maintenance and operating procedures. If any one
of these factors concentrates pollutants, it may give rise to serious indoor pollution problems. The AC
equipment sometimes harbour the disease carrying bacteria in air ducts and filters which leads to the
outbreak of Legionnaires disease. The AC system transports the bacteria through the building as a
bacterial aerosol when the AC system is put on. On the onshore work centers, the indoor air pollution
level may be almost of the same nature and magnitude as discussed above. However, the onshore
working centers have additional sources of indoor air pollutants. These are the dust particles generated
due to the movement of heavy vehicles, tankers, cranes etc. that get concentrated inside the working
place and the radon gas which may seep through the cracks in the floor of the buildings/offices. In one of
the studies carried out in USA the radon level of 3200Pci/L has been found in one of the house holds
where as the maximum permissible limit set by EPA for exposure to the Radon radiation is only 4Pci/L

Conclusions:
Thus there is an urgent need for the monitoring of indoor air pollution at all the industrial work centers.
These monitoring will not only be helpful in the prevention and control of indoor air pollution but can
provide the data and analytic framework for accessing cumulative effects. In addition to this it will also
improve forecasting methods by comparing the actual effects to the predicted effect. Investments
towards maintenance of indoor air quality free of air pollutants may put additional cost burdens on the
companies but studies show that such measures pay off in the long run and result in higher worker
productivity and decrease in workers sick leave. In addition to this it raises the moral of the workers who
appreciate that the company really care for them.

Acknowledgements:
Authors are thankful to Sh. Swadeep Singh, IAS Chief Vigilance Officer, ONGC for his constant
encouragement and guidance during preparation of this paper. Thanks are also due to Sh. NK Mitra,
GGM-Head Vigilance for his valuable discussions and suggestions.

References:
1. Indoor Air Quality: Beat Meyer
2. Air Pollution: M.N. Rao