Indoor air quality research: report on a WHO meeting, Stockholm, 27–31 August 1984
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World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe
Abstract
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64 p.
Contains summaries in French, German and Russian
This report outlines the main conclusions and recommendations made during a meeting where experts in environmental hygiene and occupational health assessed research methodologies for the study of indoor air pollution. Emphasis is placed on factors known to create health problems in office buildings, especially those with energy-efficient designs characterized by airtight envelopes. The opening section reviews new laboratory methods that can be utilized to assess indoor air pollutants, determine related health risks and develop a rationale for effective remedial measures. Six main groups of pollutants are considered: inorganic gases produced by combustion, organic pollutants, particulate matter and mineral fibres, allergens, radon and radon daughters, and odours. Information is also given on laboratory research priorities for the study of physical characterization, for chemical analysis and for biomedical research. The most extensive section is devoted to the sick building syndrome, defined by excessive health complaints associated with conditions in up to 30% of new and remodelled buildings. Emphasis is placed on information that can aid the recognition of symptoms and assist in the most effective strategy for investigating their causes.
Contains summaries in French, German and Russian
This report outlines the main conclusions and recommendations made during a meeting where experts in environmental hygiene and occupational health assessed research methodologies for the study of indoor air pollution. Emphasis is placed on factors known to create health problems in office buildings, especially those with energy-efficient designs characterized by airtight envelopes. The opening section reviews new laboratory methods that can be utilized to assess indoor air pollutants, determine related health risks and develop a rationale for effective remedial measures. Six main groups of pollutants are considered: inorganic gases produced by combustion, organic pollutants, particulate matter and mineral fibres, allergens, radon and radon daughters, and odours. Information is also given on laboratory research priorities for the study of physical characterization, for chemical analysis and for biomedical research. The most extensive section is devoted to the sick building syndrome, defined by excessive health complaints associated with conditions in up to 30% of new and remodelled buildings. Emphasis is placed on information that can aid the recognition of symptoms and assist in the most effective strategy for investigating their causes.