Table 26.1 - Overview of significant environmental impacts of main household requirements

Source: EEA-TF and ERM

Environmental media Household requirement Air Water Soil/Land Nature and wildlife landscapes
Land (living space) building -> activity emissions of formaldehyde, radon gardening -> leaching of pesticides and fertilisers renovations or extensions -> building waste -> disposal problems housing, gardens -> visual impacts on landscape
housing, gardens, recreational areas -> demands on space -> land lost for other purposes
Energy (space heating/cooling, cooking, light and power) coal, gas and oil burning -> emissions of CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, black smoke, particulate matter and VOCs      
Domestic water supplies   household sewage -> emissions of organic matter, phosphates and nitrogen compounds   
washing and cleaning (detergents) -> organic matter and suspended solids
use of treated water for washing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, toilet flushing -> pressures on drinking water supplies
Consumption of goods including aerosols, solvents, paints, refrigeration equipment -> emissions of VOCs, CFCs use of bleaches and disinfectants -> chlorinated organic compounds domestic waste (including food waste, paper and cardboard, glass, ferrous waste (mainly cans) and textiles) -> landfill requirements 
food, beverages and tobacco waste incineration -> air pollutionpreparation of food -> emissions of nutrients, organic matter -> chemical wastes such as packaging, pesticides, oil, leftover paint, batteries, cosmetics, medicines, photographic developing fluids 
clothing, footwear
furniture, furnishings and household equipment
medicines and pharmaceuticals,
recreational and entertainment items
Transport and services combustion of petrol and diesel fuel -> emissions of VOCs, NOx, particulate matter, CO, CO2 oils and lubricants washed into the sewer system from roads and driveways -> water pollution> -> used tyres, used vehicles and vehicle components  
car paint -> emissions of VOCs land for roads, paths, and services including: water pipelines, telecommunications cables and electricity lines -> land lost for other purposes
refuelling and maintenance -> VOC emissions