health

States that many health complaints attributed to tight buildings (tight building syndrome) may be alleviated by slightly lowering the thermostat. Discusses the ISO draft proposal DP7730 which defines comfort limits in buildings for occupants according to several comfort parameters.

Despite having balanced mechanical ventilation, a large number of modern buildings in Sweden have unsatisfactory indoor climate. Problems include mould, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, skin rashes, feelings of dryness, hoarseness andheadaches. To control ventilation according to requirements the right indicator variable must be selected and the system must permit the proper control in the occupied zones. Measurements of air pollutants were carried out outside and inside a mechanically ventilated office building.

Studies the ventilation of 9 air-conditioned animal rooms used for both housing and experiments. Samples dust, measures ventilation rate by anemometers and by tracer gas decay, and uses settle plates to determine the number of airborne bacteria. Detects a high amount of pariculate matter emanating from the animals which might sensitize personnel working in these rooms. Previously, attention has been paid to the ventilation requirements of the animals but where people also spend several hours in animal rooms then safety conditions for staff must be considered.

Undertakes experimental studies to identify antecedent conditions of various health and comfort problems experienced by office workers in sealed, air conditioned buildings in New York City and Vancouver. Tries to relate building characteristics (paricularly of lighting and ventilation) to prevalence andincidence of reported health and comfort problems. Finds that changing both lighting and ventilation simultaneously results in a 31.2% reduction in reported eye irritation.

Uses social survey data to test the hypothesis that residential energy conservation measures have the effect of reducing air quality in the home and have a subsequent deleterious effect on the health of the residents. A measure of exposure to harsh chemicals at work is tested for its effect on health. Finds small but detectable amounts of carbon monoxide in more than half of the 173 homes surveyed. The CO levels are higher in homes with unvented kerosene or gas space heaters and homes with smokers present.

Presents the contents of a memorandum of evidence to the Royal Commission of Environmental Pollution. Treats exposure of the community to radiation caused by radon decay products in indoor air, which contributes about a third of the overall effective dose equivalent received annually by an average person in the UK. Treats surveys to improve the estimate of indoor exposure. Discusses the possibility of a radon limitation scheme.

States that as many as 600 lung cancers a year may be attributable to radon gas, and this may jump to as many as 1500 if energy conservation measures reducing draughts become more widespread. Notes that radon appears to be present in every hou

Over 200 reports of health hazard evaluations are available of sealed, air-conditioned buildings, requested by occupants who believe their buildings to be hazardous to their health. Describes a computer based building information system developed to extract relevant information about internal environmental measures, disease characteristics and history of occupants, as well as relevant features of the architecture and ventilation conditions of buildings.

Reviews literature and presents annotated bibliographies for indoor air quality, indoor air pollution health effects and residential air infiltration. Analyzes air infiltration data, and describes factors related to the house itself, the behaviour of residents and the microenvironment surrounding thehouse. Discusses future trends of infiltration rates.

Reviews sources of indoor air pollution, factors which influence pollutant concentration, and health aspects. Reports on investigations into carbon monoxide concentrations in kitchens with geysers. Treats various factors including geyser type, state of maintenance, frequency of use, occupant type, cooking and ventilating behaviour, time and location of measurements etc.Reports nitrogen dioxide concentration measurements in kitchens and livingrooms relating to cooking and smoking.