Indoor Pollutants

Indoor Pollutants
Author: National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Indoor Pollutants
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 552
Release: 1981
Genre: Medical
ISBN:

Discusses pollution from tobacco smoke, radon and radon progeny, asbestos and other fibers, formaldehyde, indoor combustion, aeropathogens and allergens, consumer products, moisture, microwave radiation, ultraviolet radiation, odors, radioactivity, and dirt and discusses means of controlling or eliminating them.

Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health

Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2011-10-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309209412

The indoor environment affects occupants' health and comfort. Poor environmental conditions and indoor contaminants are estimated to cost the U.S. economy tens of billions of dollars a year in exacerbation of illnesses like asthma, allergic symptoms, and subsequent lost productivity. Climate change has the potential to affect the indoor environment because conditions inside buildings are influenced by conditions outside them. Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health addresses the impacts that climate change may have on the indoor environment and the resulting health effects. It finds that steps taken to mitigate climate change may cause or exacerbate harmful indoor environmental conditions. The book discusses the role the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should take in informing the public, health professionals, and those in the building industry about potential risks and what can be done to address them. The study also recommends that building codes account for climate change projections; that federal agencies join to develop or refine protocols and testing standards for evaluating emissions from materials, furnishings, and appliances used in buildings; and that building weatherization efforts include consideration of health effects. Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health is written primarily for the EPA and other federal agencies, organizations, and researchers with interests in public health; the environment; building design, construction, and operation; and climate issues.

Damp Indoor Spaces and Health

Damp Indoor Spaces and Health
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 369
Release: 2004-10-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309091934

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.

WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality

WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality
Author:
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 488
Release: 2010
Genre: House & Home
ISBN:

This book presents WHO guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. The substances considered in this review, i.e. benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, naphthalene, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (especially benzo[a]pyrene), radon, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, have indoor sources, are known in respect of their hazardousness to health and are often found indoors in concentrations of health concern. The guidelines are targeted at public health professionals involved in preventing health risks of environmental exposures, as well as specialists and authorities involved in the design and use of buildings, indoor materials and products. They provide a scientific basis for legally enforceable standards.

Health Risks of Indoor Exposure to Particulate Matter

Health Risks of Indoor Exposure to Particulate Matter
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 159
Release: 2016-10-26
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309443628

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines PM as a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets comprising a number of components, including "acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen and mold spores)". The health effects of outdoor exposure to particulate matter (PM) are the subject of both research attention and regulatory action. Although much less studied to date, indoor exposure to PM is gaining attention as a potential source of adverse health effects. Indoor PM can originate from outdoor particles and also from various indoor sources, including heating, cooking, and smoking. Levels of indoor PM have the potential to exceed outdoor PM levels. Understanding the major features and subtleties of indoor exposures to particles of outdoor origin can improve our understanding of the exposureâ€"response relationship on which ambient air pollutant standards are based. The EPA's Indoor Environments Division commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to hold a workshop examining the issue of indoor exposure to PM more comprehensively and considering both the health risks and possible intervention strategies. Participants discussed the ailments that are most affected by particulate matter and the attributes of the exposures that are of greatest concern, exposure modifiers, vulnerable populations, exposure assessment, risk management, and gaps in the science. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Organic Indoor Air Pollutants

Organic Indoor Air Pollutants
Author: Tunga Salthammer
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2009-11-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3527628894

With the quality of indoor air ranking highly in our lives, this second, completely, revised edition now includes 12 completely new chapters addressing both chemical and analytical aspects of organic pollutants. Sources of indoor air pollutants, measurement and detection as well as evaluation are covered filling the gap in the literature caused by this topical subject. This book is divided into four clearly defined parts: measuring organic indoor pollutants, investigation concepts and quality guidelines, field studies, and emission studies. The authors cover physico-chemical fundamentals of organic pollutants, relevant definitions and terminology, emission sources, sampling techniques and instrumentation, exposure assessment as well as methods for control. Test methods and studies for various indoor environments are described, such as automobile interiors, museum environments, or rooms with air ventilation. Emission sources covered include household and consumer products as well as electronic devices and office equipment. The book is aimed at chemists, physicists, biologists, and medical doctors at universities and research facilities, in industry and environmental laboratories as well as regulative bodies.

Indoor Environmental Quality and Health Risk toward Healthier Environment for All

Indoor Environmental Quality and Health Risk toward Healthier Environment for All
Author: Reiko Kishi
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2019-11-22
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9813291826

This volume discusses the effects of indoor air environment and pollution in modern buildings on human health. Highlighting epidemiological studies and the determining factors, it offers proposals for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in different environments. Focusing not only on homes and offices, but also vehicles and aircrafts, it details practical methods of measuring and assessing indoor air quality. Written by pioneering researchers, Indoor Environmental Quality and Health Risk toward Healthier Environment for All is a valuable resource for both new and established researchers as well as students seeking a comprehensive overview of the facts on indoor air quality and health. Also is also of interest to hygiene experts in industry, occupational health and safety professionals, governmental public health sectors and school physicians.

Indoor Air Quality Research

Indoor Air Quality Research
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Technology. Subcommittee on Energy Development and Applications
Publisher:
Total Pages: 512
Release: 1984
Genre: Air
ISBN:

Clearing the Air

Clearing the Air
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 457
Release: 2000-05-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309064961

Since about 1980, asthma prevalence and asthma-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased substantially, especially among children. Of particular concern is the high mortality rate among African Americans with asthma. Recent studies have suggested that indoor exposuresâ€"to dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and other biological and chemical pollutantsâ€"may influence the disease course of asthma. To ensure an appropriate response, public health and education officials have sought a science-based assessment of asthma and its relationship to indoor air exposures. Clearing the Air meets this need. This book examines how indoor pollutants contribute to asthmaâ€"its causation, prevalence, triggering, and severity. The committee discusses asthma among the general population and in sensitive subpopulations including children, low-income individuals, and urban residents. Based on the most current findings, the book also evaluates the scientific basis for mitigating the effects of indoor air pollutants implicated in asthma. The committee identifies priorities for public health policy, public education outreach, preventive intervention, and further research.