Effects of Airborne Contaminants on Respiratory Health

Airborne contaminants are particles or gases suspended in the air that can be harmful when inhaled, leading to respiratory issues.
Related products/activities
Application
Air Quality | Pollution Effects | Respiratory Allergens | Respiratory Hazards | Airborne Pollution Risks | Indoor Air Quality
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Airborne Contaminants FAQ


Image credit: news-medical.net

What are airborne contaminants?

Workplace air can be contaminated by a range of airborne contaminants that are hazardous when breathed in. Airborne contaminants may occur as vapours, dusts, particles, fibres, fumes or gases or combinations of these. Contaminants can be released into the air when using hazardous chemicals or carrying out work processes such as those involving:

Is your workplace air contaminated?

In many workplaces, this air contains contaminants from work activities or processes. Workplace air can be contaminated by a range of airborne contaminants that are hazardous when breathed in. Airborne contaminants may occur as vapours, dusts, particles, fibres, fumes or gases or combinations of these.

What are airborne particles?

Airborne suspensions of extremely small solid or liquid particles called “particulates” (e.g., soot, dust, smokes, fumes, mists), especially those less than 10 micrometres (μm; millionths of a metre) in size, are significant air pollutants because of their very harmful effects on human health.

What does John Horsey say about airborne contaminants in the workplace?

John Horsey provides an overview of the sources of airborne contaminants found in the workplace, the hazards they present to workers, the legislation in place to provide protection for staff , and the technology available to allow employers to comply with the law. Every day, we all breathe in and out every few seconds.

Does airborne particulate matter affect health outcomes?

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr; 18 (8): 4352. In the last years, many studies have focused on risk assessment of exposure of workers to airborne particulate matter (PM). Several studies indicate a strong correlation between PM and adverse health outcomes, as a function of particle size.

Airborne Contaminants References

If you want to know more about Airborne Contaminants, consider exploring links below:

Explore Related Topics

Creating an Asthma-Friendly Home

How do you minimize asthma triggers at home? From cleaning tips to air purifiers, share your strategies for creating a safe space.