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🌫️ Indoor Air Pollution — The Hidden Threat

(1)

Air pollution is a major problem all over the world today.
Scientific research now shows us that indoor air quality can be five times worse than outdoor air.
Offices, factories, and other workplaces can be just as polluted as homes — maybe more so.
In today's society, most people spend up to 90% of their time indoors.
We seal our buildings tightly to reduce energy costs, but equipment and buildings themselves give off increasing amounts of synthetic chemicals and gases.
With inadequate ventilation and no access to fresh air, all these harmful elements are trapped inside.
This condition is known as “sick building syndrome.”

(2)

The sources of indoor air pollution can be easily identified.
Air pollutants fall into three main categories:

• Biological particles (mold, bacteria, viruses, pollen, etc.)

• Non-biological particles (smoke, dust, heavy metals, radioactive isotopes, etc.)

• Gases (carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, radon, etc.)

In homes, there are four major sources of these pollutants: pressed wood products, carpets, paints, and furniture.
Dangerous pollutants can also be found in air-conditioned rooms in summer and rooms heated by coal or wood fires in winter.
The kitchen is another place where the air may contain harmful gases from cooking stoves and non-stick (Teflon) pans.

(3)

Poor indoor air quality can cause a number of health problems such as:

• Asthma and allergies

• Headaches, memory loss, and fatigue

• Eye and skin irritations
  People who spend too much time indoors away from fresh air may also suffer from sore throats, colds, and flu.
  More serious long-term effects include heart and respiratory diseases, in addition to different kinds of cancer.

(4)

There are many simple ways to improve indoor air and make our buildings healthier.
One very effective solution is to get some houseplants.
In India, people are already using plants to replace air filters — one business center in New Delhi has successfully done so for fifteen years, using over 1,200 plants to clean the air for a building of 30 people.
Other helpful habits include:

• Opening windows every day for fresh air

• Not allowing smoking indoors

• Avoiding non-stick cookware

• Avoiding synthetic carpets and toxic cleaning materials

• Using natural materials like cotton and wool

• Keeping heating stoves and air conditioners clean and well-maintained

📝 Questions

1. Which paragraph discusses the origins of indoor air pollution?
A. Paragraph (1)
✅ B. Paragraph (2)
C. Paragraph (3)
D. Paragraph (4)

2. What is the main idea of Paragraph (1)?
A. Air pollution is more dangerous outdoors than indoors.
B. Air pollution is less dangerous in the USA than in India.
✅ C. Air pollution is more dangerous indoors than outdoors.
D. Air pollution is less dangerous in offices than in homes.

3. According to Paragraph (1), in the 2009 study, how many chemicals did the researchers find in the indoor air?
A. 52
B. 90
C. 300
✅ D. 586

4. According to Paragraph (2), which of the following are sources of VOCs?
A. cooking stoves and Teflon pans
B. photocopiers and computers
C. radon and formaldehyde
✅ D. paints and furniture

5. According to Paragraph (4), where are plants being used successfully to keep the air healthy?
A. in a research center in the USA
✅ B. in a business center in India
C. in offices in America
D. in typical homes in Arizona

6. Which word in Paragraph (4) is the opposite of synthetic in meaning?
A. toxic
B. wood
C. simple
✅ D. natural

7. According to the passage, which of the following are NOT air pollutants?
✅ A. allergies
B. viruses
C. smoke
D. gases

8. The passage suggests we should NOT use in our homes...
A. furniture
B. computers
C. heating stoves
✅ D. synthetic materials