Exposure of seniors with respiratory disease to unflued gas heaters and their emissions

摘要

Unflued gas appliances are a major contributor to indoor air pollution (IAP) in homes. These appliances have been associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes, mostly in children. As people age they are more likely to spend time indoors, particularly if they have an existing chronic disease. There are very little data on the exposure of the elderly to air pollution in the home and their use of important emission sources such as gas appliances. The aim of the current studies was to determine the exposure of elderly patients with existing respiratory disease to combustion gases from unflued gas heaters (UFGH). The first study collected questionnaire data on the home environment from a sample of patients with chronic obstructive disease (COPO). In a separate study, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO_2), formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured during the winter months in the homes of older people with asthma with and without UFGH. In the questionnaire study 50% of patients with COPD used an UFGH as their major heating source. Similarly, in the second study 46% of the asthmatic subjects had an UFGH. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations were significantly elevated in homes using UFGH. However, the presence of UFGH did not affect formaldehyde or VOC concentrations. Elderly patients with respiratory disease continue to use UFGH, thereby increasing their risk of exposure to combustion gases.