Microorganisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments

Microorganisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments
Author: Brian Flannigan
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 555
Release: 2002-01-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0203302931

Despite the large amount of money spent on research into pollution of the indoor environment, the problem remains complex with major gaps in our knowledge of the identities and sources of pollutants and of the effects of prolonged exposure to indoor pollutants on health. Microorganisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments considers one such group o

Microbiomes of the Built Environment

Microbiomes of the Built Environment
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 318
Release: 2017-10-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309449839

People's desire to understand the environments in which they live is a natural one. People spend most of their time in spaces and structures designed, built, and managed by humans, and it is estimated that people in developed countries now spend 90 percent of their lives indoors. As people move from homes to workplaces, traveling in cars and on transit systems, microorganisms are continually with and around them. The human-associated microbes that are shed, along with the human behaviors that affect their transport and removal, make significant contributions to the diversity of the indoor microbiome. The characteristics of "healthy" indoor environments cannot yet be defined, nor do microbial, clinical, and building researchers yet understand how to modify features of indoor environmentsâ€"such as building ventilation systems and the chemistry of building materialsâ€"in ways that would have predictable impacts on microbial communities to promote health and prevent disease. The factors that affect the environments within buildings, the ways in which building characteristics influence the composition and function of indoor microbial communities, and the ways in which these microbial communities relate to human health and well-being are extraordinarily complex and can be explored only as a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem by engaging the fields of microbial biology and ecology, chemistry, building science, and human physiology. This report reviews what is known about the intersection of these disciplines, and how new tools may facilitate advances in understanding the ecosystem of built environments, indoor microbiomes, and effects on human health and well-being. It offers a research agenda to generate the information needed so that stakeholders with an interest in understanding the impacts of built environments will be able to make more informed decisions.

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.

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.

WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality

WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality
Author: Elisabeth Heseltine
Publisher: WHO Regional Office Europe
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2009
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9289041684

Microbial pollution is a key element of indoor air pollution. It is caused by hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi, in particular filamentous fungi (mould), growing indoors when sufficient moisture is available. This document provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on health problems associated with building moisture and biological agents. The review concludes that the most important effects are increased prevalences of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma as well as perturbation of the immunological system. The document also summarizes the available information on the conditions that determine the presence of mould and measures to control their growth indoors. WHO guidelines for protecting public health are formulated on the basis of the review. The most important means for avoiding adverse health effects is the prevention (or minimization) of persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures. [Ed.]

Fundamentals of mold growth in indoor environments and strategies for healthy living

Fundamentals of mold growth in indoor environments and strategies for healthy living
Author: Olaf C.G. Adan
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 509
Release: 2011-09-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9086867227

Today, indoor mold and moisture, and their associated health effects, are a society-wide problem. The economic consequences of indoor mold and moisture are enormous. Their global dimension has been emphasized in several recent international publications, stressing that the most important means for avoiding adverse health effects is the prevention (or minimization) of persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures. This book aims to describe the fundamentals of indoor mold growth as a prerequisite to tackle mold growth in the existing building stock as well as in future energy efficient buildings. It brings together different disciplinary points of view on indoor mold, ranging from physics and material science to microbiology and health sciences. The contents have been outlined according to three main issues: Fundamentals, particularly addressing the crucial roles of water and materials, Health, including a state-of-the-art description of the health-related effects of indoor molds, and Strategies, integrating remediation, prevention and policies.

Volatiles and Metabolites of Microbes

Volatiles and Metabolites of Microbes
Author: Joginder Singh Panwar
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 513
Release: 2021-06-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0323851649

Volatiles and Metabolites of Microbes compiles the latest research and advancement in the field of volatiles, metabolites synthesized from the microbial strains such as actinomycetes, bacteria, cyanobacteria, and fungal species and their potential applications in the field of healthcare issue and sustainable agriculture. There is an urgent need to explore new and advanced biological methods for health industries and sustainable agriculture and to protect the environment from environmental pollution or contaminates, global warming, and also control the health of human beings from the side effects of various pharmaceuticals products. Focusing all these factors, Volatiles and Metabolites of Microbes explores new aspects of microorganism in terms of volatiles, enzymes, bioactive compounds synthesized from the microbes and their potential applications in the field of sustainable agriculture and health-related issues - Provides a broad aspect about volatiles, bioactive compounds, and secondary metabolites of microbes compiled in one cover - Gives the latest research and advancement in the field of volatiles, secondary metabolites, and bioactive compounds synthesized from the different microbial strains - Responds to new developments in the detection of the complex compound structures of volatiles - Offers insight to a very broad audience in Biotechnology, Applied Microbiology, Agronomy, and Pathology

Bioaerosols

Bioaerosols
Author: Harriet A. Burge
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 336
Release: 1995-02-22
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9780873717243

Written by an illustrious group of experts in microbiology and aerobiology, Bioaerosols brings together current information on the nature and health effects of bioaerosol-related problems. The book presents up-to-date coverage of methods for sampling and analysis, as well as various approaches to the investigation of health problems caused by exposure to biological contaminants in indoor air. Its comprehensive treatment of the various aspects of this subject makes it a valuable reference for industrial hygienists, public health officials and researchers, and physicians interested in environmentally caused disease.

Environmental Mycology in Public Health

Environmental Mycology in Public Health
Author: Carla Viegas
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 459
Release: 2015-08-03
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0124115357

Environmental Mycology in Public Health: Fungi and Mycotoxins Risk Assessment and Management provides the most updated information on fungi, an essential element in the survival of our global ecology that can also pose a significant threat to the health of occupants when they are present in buildings. As the exposure to fungi in homes is a significant risk factor for a number of respiratory symptoms, including allergies and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, this book presents information on fungi and their disease agents, important aspects of exposure assessment, and their impacts on health. This book answers the hard questions, including, "How does one detect and measure the presence of indoor fungi?" and "What is an acceptable level of indoor fungi?" It then examines how we relate this information to human health problems. - Provides unique new insights on fungi and their metabolites detection in the environmental and occupational settings - Presents new information that is enriched by significant cases studies - Multi-contributed work, edited by a proficient team in medical and environmental mycology with different individual expertise - Guides the readers in the implementation of preventive and protective measures regarding exposure to fungi

Indoor Allergens

Indoor Allergens
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 321
Release: 1993-02-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309048311

More than 50 million Americans, one out of five, suffer from hay fever, asthma, and other allergic diseases. Many of these conditions are caused by exposure to allergens in indoor environments such as the house, work, and schoolâ€"where we spend as much as 98 percent of our time. Developed by medical, public health, and engineering professionals working together, this unique volume summarizes what is known about indoor allergens, how they affect human health, the magnitude of their effect on various populations, and how they can be controlled. The book addresses controversies, recommends research directions, and suggests how to assist and educate allergy patients, as well as professionals. Indoor Allergens presents a wealth of information about common indoor allergens and their varying effects, from significant hay fever to life-threatening asthma. The volume discusses sources of allergens, from fungi and dust mites to allergenic chemicals, plants, and animals, and examines practical measures for their control. Indoor Allergens discusses how the human airway and immune system respond to inhaled allergens and assesses patient testing methods, covering the importance of the patient's medical history and outlining procedures and approaches to interpretation for skin tests, in vitro diagnostic tests, and tests of patients' pulmonary function. This comprehensive and practical volume will be important to allergists and other health care providers; public health professionals; specialists in building design, construction, and maintenance; faculty and students in public health; and interested allergy patients.