Infections and Viruses
Biological Pollutants
Particle pollution in our indoor air is largely due to biological contaminants.
Biological pollutants are or were living organisms. They promote poor indoor air quality and
may be a major cause of days lost from work or school, and
of doctor and hospital visits. Some can even damage surfaces
inside and outside your house. Biological pollutants can
travel through the air and are often invisible.
Some common indoor biological pollutants are animal dander (minute scales
from hair, feathers, or skin), dust mites, infectious agents
(bacteria or viruses), and pollen.
Biological agents in indoor air are known to cause three types of human disease:
infections, where pathogens invade human tissues; hypersensitivity
diseases, where specific activation of the immune system
causes disease; and toxicosis, where biologically produced
chemical toxins cause direct toxic effects.
Our page on 'hybrid' pollutants has more information on
biological particles and microbial VOCs
Tuberculosis
The transmission of airborne infectious diseases such as
TB is increased where there is poor indoor air quality,
crowding and inadequate ventilation. Evidence is increasing
that inadequate or inappropriately designed ventilation
systems in health care settings or other crowded conditions
with high-risk populations can increase the risk of exposure.
Legionnaires Disease
A disease associated with indoor air contamination is Legionnaires
Disease, a bacterial pneumonia that primarily attacks exposed
people over 50 years old, especially those who are immunosuppressed,
smoke, or abuse alcohol. While it causes death in many cases,
it may also cause a two-to-five-day flu-like illness without pneumonia.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Another class of hypersensitivity disease is hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, a lung disease caused by exposure to airborne
antigens. Continued antigen exposure may lead to end-stage
pulmonary fibrosis (thickening and stiffening of the lining
of the lungs, causing progressive breathlessness).
Outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in office buildings have been
traced to air conditioning and humidification systems contaminated
with bacteria and molds. In the home, hypersensitivity pneumonitis
is often caused by contaminated humidifiers or by pigeon or
pet bird antigens. The period of sensitization before a reaction
occurs may be as long as months or even years.
Acute symptoms, which occur four to six hours post exposure and recur on exposure
to the offending agent, include cough, breathing difficulty,
chills, muscle pain, fatigue, and high fever.
Humidifier Fever
Humidifier fever shares symptoms with hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, caused by bacterial toxins. Onset occurs a
few hours after exposure. It is a flu-like illness marked
by fever, headache, chills, pain in the muscles, and malaise
(a general feeling of being unwell) but without prominent
pulmonary symptoms. It normally subsides within 24 hours
without residual effects. Humidifier fever has been related to
exposure to amoebae, bacteria, and fungi found in humidifier reservoirs,
air conditioners, and aquaria.
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RESOURCES:
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co-existing factors in each case. Information on this web site is not
intended for diagnosing specific health problems. For all personal health issues, please consult
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