Also discussed here: Many Other Forms of Air Pollution (Effects of Air Pollution on Our Health, Feb. 10, 2011)
And here: Indoor Air Quality and Ice Arenas (EPA)
And here: Air Quality in Ice Rinks (DP Hockey, CBC News)
Today’s review post comes thanks to the blog on “Effects of Air Pollution on Health” which highlighted the health risks faced by skaters in indoor rinks from fuel-powered resurfacing machines- known in Canada as Zambonis- which emit CO2 and PM (as opposed to electric powered). The video is startling in showing how long dangerously high pollution levels persist in unventilated rinks.
Key Quotes:
“Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the building”
“In enclosed ice arenas, a primary source of indoor air concerns is the release of combustion pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM) into the indoor air from the exhaust of fuel-fired ice resurfacers”
“the CBC tested 42 arenas in Halifax, Sudbury, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver. Of those rinks, 24 per cent tested higher than 60,000 particles of pollution per cubic centimetre — a level that Rundell said decreases lung capacity.. 14 per cent also tested higher than 100,000 particles of pollution per cubic centimetre, roughly the equivalent of the air quality that might be experienced standing next to Toronto's Highway 401, the busiest road in the country”
“Improving ventilation systems in buildings or installing vents nearer to the ice rather than in the roof could help clear the air indoors. Another, more costly solution is to start using ice resurfacing machines powered by electricity to eliminate the use of fossil fuels”
“[in the US] there are no laws requiring carbon monoxide detectors in rinks, so kids can be inhaling these fumes and not even know about it”
Related articles
- Why is indoor air pollution a problem (wiki.answers.com)
- Ventilation causes CO sickness at hockey tourney (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Report: The Ice Rink May Make Your Child Sick (aolhealth.com)
- Indoor Air Pollution (envtalengg.wordpress.com)
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