Taken from "The Inside Story: A Guide to
Indoor Air Quality"Sources of
Respirable Particles
Fireplaces, wood stoves, and
kerosene heaters. See also stoves, heaters,
fireplaces, and chimneys, and Environmental tobacco smoke.
Health Effects
Eye, nose, and throat
irritation; respiratory infections and bronchitis; lung cancer.
Levels in Homes
Particle levels in homes
without smoking or other strong particle sources are the same as, or lower than,
outdoor levels.
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Respirable Particles
- Vent all furnaces to outdoors; keep doors to rest of house open when using
unvented space heaters.
- Choose properly sized woodstoves, certified to meet EPA emission
standards; make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly.
- Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating
system (furnace, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks
properly.
- Change filters on central heating and cooling systems and air cleaners
according to manufacturer's directions.
Additional Resources
What You
Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution
Answers commonly-asked questions about the
effect of combustion appliances (e.g., fuel-burning furnaces, space heaters,
kitchen ranges, and fireplaces) on indoor air quality and human health.
Describes other sources of combustion pollutants in and around the home.
Suggests ways to reduce exposure to such pollutants and encourages proper
installation, use, and maintenance of combustion appliances. This brochure was
coauthored with the by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Lung
Association. [EPA 400-F-91-100, 1993]
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