Physical factors of housing pollution
In addition to the rapid growth of noise pollution, an increase in the intensity of other physical factors is registered in cities and populated areas. Those capable of exerting a pronounced negative impact on the human body while staying indoors include:
- Vibration;
- Ultrasound and infrasound exposure;
- Electric and electromagnetic fields (EMF);
- Ionizing radiation (radiation factor);
- Air ionization.
Hygienic assessment of these parameters is necessary to prevent the development of pathological conditions in residents.
Regulatory and legal framework
The main official document establishing the limits of permissible exposure is SanPiN 2.1.2.1002-00 («Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for residential buildings and premises»). This regulatory act strictly regulates the maximum permissible levels of vibration, noise, EMF, and other physical phenomena.
In addition, the document establishes requirements for:
- Heating, microclimate, and ventilation (with mandatory consideration of the specific room's functional purpose and the warm/cold season).
- Insolation, as well as artificial and natural lighting.
- Interior decoration and applied building materials.
- Sewage and water supply systems.
- General rules for the maintenance of residential premises.
Ventilation and air exchange requirements
Properly organized natural supply ventilation is the key to maintaining normal air quality. It is carried out through transom windows, specialized openings in window sashes, and built-in ventilation ducts.
Crucial hygienic condition: the design of the system must completely eliminate the possibility of air flowing from one apartment into others. For this purpose, the exhaust openings of the ducts are located exclusively in pollution zones (kitchens, toilets, bathrooms, and drying rooms). At the same time, they must be structurally separated from the exhaust ducts serving living rooms directly.
Chemical air pollution: MPC
The aforementioned SanPiN contains a list of the 19 most significant substances polluting the indoor air environment. It has been established that 11 of them belong to hazard classes 1 and 2 (are extremely and highly hazardous).
Below are the maximum single maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of the main pollutants in atmospheric air (in mg/m³):
- Carbon monoxide — 3.0
- 1,2-Dichloroethane — 1.0
- Toluene — 0.6
- Xylene — 0.2
- Benzene, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate — 0.1
- Nitrogen oxide, ammonia — 0.04
- Ethylbenzene — 0.02
- Acetaldehyde, formaldehyde — 0.01
- Hydrogen sulfide — 0.008
- Dimethyl phthalate — 0.007
- Phenol — 0.003
- Dimethylamine — 0.0025
- Styrene — 0.002
- Mercury, lead (and its inorganic compounds) — 0.0003
Indoor lighting
Hygienic assessment of the light environment is based on the laws of photobiology and physiology. It has been scientifically proven that natural light and ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation have a direct stimulating effect on the stability, intensity, and rhythm of all vital processes.
According to standards, all rooms inside residential buildings must be provided with a combination of natural and artificial lighting. The main goal of such requirements is to create visual comfort, guarantee the maintenance of normal physiological functions, and increase the general resistance (resilience) of the human body to any adverse environmental factors.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
Which of the listed chemical air pollutants belong to hazard classes 1 and 2?
Highly hazardous chemical air pollutants (hazard class 2) include several substances, some of which are anthropotoxins.
- Dimethylamine — its indoor concentrations may exceed the maximum permissible values for atmospheric air.
- Hydrogen sulfide — is also capable of exceeding atmospheric MPCs.
- Nitrogen dioxide — a highly hazardous pollutant.
- Ethylene oxide — classified as a highly hazardous substance.
- Benzene — a highly hazardous substance released, among other things, during household gas combustion.
The sources do not specify the complete list of class 1 representatives, however, it is indicated that collectively, hazard classes 1 and 2 (extremely and highly hazardous) include 11 substances from the list of the most hygienically significant indoor air pollutants.
Class and exam questions
What physical factors, besides noise and vibration, are regulated in housing?
Such factors include infrasound, ultrasound, electric and electromagnetic fields (EMF), ionizing radiation, and aeroionisation indicators.
What is the main rule for designing ventilation in an apartment building?
A mandatory condition is the complete exclusion of air inflow from one apartment into others. The exhaust ducts of bathrooms and kitchens must be strictly separated from the ducts of living rooms.
Why does hygiene require mandatory natural lighting?
Natural light and UV radiation directly affect the intensity and rhythm of vital processes, provide visual comfort, and increase the body's resistance to harmful environmental factors.
What else to study on this topic
- Ecological and hygienic problems of populated areas and housing
- Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for building materials and interior decoration
- Classification of chemical substances by degree of hazard (classes 1–2)
- Hygienic standards for heating and microclimate during warm and cold periods
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Other topics in the section "Chapter 4. Ecological and hygienic problems of populated areas and housing"
Entire section «Chapter 4. Ecological and Hygienic Issues of Populated Areas and Housing»Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.