On the history of indoor air quality and health

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Indoor Air. 2004;14 Suppl 7:51-8.

On the history of indoor air quality and health.

Sundell J.

International Center for Indoor Environment and Energy, Technical University of

Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark. jas@...

Indoor air is a dominant exposure for humans. More that half of the body's

intake during a lifetime is air inhaled in the home. Thus, most illnesses

related to environmental exposures stem from indoor air exposure. Indoor air was

believed to be a major environmental factor for more than a hundred years, from

the start of the hygienic revolution, around 1850, until outdoor environmental

issues entered the scene, and became dominant around 1960. Main environmental

issues today are outdoor air quality, energy use, and sustainable buildings, but

not indoor air quality (IAQ). But, there is mounting evidence that exposure to

IAQ is the cause of excessive morbidity and mortality. In developing regions

indoor unvented burning of biomass for cooking is the cause of at least

2,000,000 deaths a year (mainly women and children), and in the developed world

IAQ is a main cause of allergies, other hypersensitivity reactions, airway

infections, and cancers. Cancer of the lungs is related to indoor radon and ETS

exposure. Allergies, airway infections and sick building syndrome are associated

with, e.g., " dampness " , a low ventilation rate, and plasticizers. In the future

more emphasis must be given to IAQ and health issues. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS:

Indoor air quality plays a major role with regard to public health. The main

problems are in the developing countries with the indoor burning of biomass for

cooking and heating. The solution is a stove with a chimney. In developed

regions, good ventilation, getting rid of " dampness " problems, and adequate

testing of new building materials would reduce morbidity and mortality.

Publication Types:

· Historical Article

· Review

· Review, Tutorial

PMID: 15330772 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]