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2.2 million young Chinese die from indoor pollution: report

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-05-17 17:24
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More than two million Chinese youths die each year from health problems related to indoor air pollution, with nearly half of them under five years of age, state media cited a government study as saying.

The indoor pollution levels are often 5-10 times higher than those measured in outdoor air, according to the study released by the China Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study said dangerous indoor pollutants include formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and radon.

According to related data, formaldehyde which is often found in building materials and new furniture, poses the biggest threat - it can be slowly released into indoor environments over the following 5-15 years.

The study told long-term exposure to such substances can cause a range of health problems including respiratory diseases, mental impairment and cancer, with young children, foetuses in utero and the elderly at most risk.
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