The next most important source of indoor air pollution is allergens. House dust mites (HDM) are very small insects not visible to the naked eye and the commonest source of allergy in the house. They are ubiquitous and thrive in a warm and moist atmosphere. They breed very fast and are very difficult to eradicate. Modern houses present ample breeding spaces for them in the form of carpets, curtains, mattresses, pillows, etc.
Exposure to HDM can be prevented by the frequent washing of linen and by encasing the mattresses and pillows in a non-permeable cover. Pets form an important part of life for some of us. But they can add plenty of allergens to our indoor atmosphere. Cats are notorious for doing this. Fine particles from feline fur can remain stuck to the upholstery and carpets for a long time even after the removal of the animal and lead to the worsening of asthma and skin allergies. Fortunately, owning to religious and social customs, cats are not popular pets in India. Dogs, however, are quite popular and can be as troublesome. Pets should be kept out of the bedroom and groomed frequently. To remove the fur particles, one has to use vacuum cleaners as the ordinary broom and mop are not effective.
Moulds, fungi and several other microorganisms thrive in damp condition and can lead to allergies as well as infection. Humidifiers the air-conditioning plants provide an ideal environment for certain types of bacteria and have led to major outbreaks of pneumonia. It is important to regularly clean the coolers, air-conditioners and damp areas of the house such as cupboards, lofts, etc., to minimize this risk.
Toxic gases can also pollute the indoor environment. Biomass fuels (wood, cow dung, dried plants) and coal, if burned inside, can lead to serve contamination by carbon monoxide (CO). The poor quality of stoves and other cooking or heating appliances that cause incomplete combustion of LPG can also lead to the emission of CO or nitrogen dioxide. Formaldehyde (a gas) can be released from adhesives that are used for fixing carpets, upholstery and also in making plywood and particle-board.
After reading the passage, what do you think should be the priority of the local administration like the village panchayats and the city municipalities.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Address causes of pollution to protect the local communities
The passage lists the causes of indoor air pollution in our own homes: dust mites, pet fur, moulds and fungi in damp places, and toxic gases from burning wood, cow dung or coal indoors. A village panchayat or a city municipality works for the people of its own area, so its first job is to deal with these local causes (for example, cleaner fuels, better stoves, cleanliness drives) to protect the health of its community. The answer is not written in the passage; it follows from what the passage describes.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Work with the US of A on global climate action plan — Incorrect. Wrong link: global climate policy is the work of national governments, not of a panchayat, and the passage is about pollution inside homes, not the world climate.
Option 3: Request the Nordic countries to prevent their lumberjacks from cutting trees — Incorrect. Wrong link: tree-cutting in faraway countries has nothing to do with the indoor air of an Indian village or town. A lumberjack is a person whose job is cutting down trees.
Example: The lumberjack cut the logs and floated them down the river.
Option 4: Turn a blind eye towards pollution — Incorrect. Contradicted: to turn a blind eye means to pretend not to notice something wrong. Ignoring pollution is the opposite of what a local body should do.
Example: The guard turned a blind eye to the boys climbing over the wall.