Indoor environmental quality in very low income households during the winter period in Athens

This paper presents and discusses monitored data of the indoor temperature in almost 50 low income houses in Athens Greece during the winter of 2012-2013. The aim of the research was to identify the degree that the actual economic crisis in the country influences the indoor environmental conditions, comfort and health in low income households. Analysis of the data has shown that indoor temperatures in the monitored low income houses were much lower than the appropriate threshold set for comfort and health. It is concluded that the actual economic crisis decreases seriously the potential of residents to buy energy and heat their houses and puts the local population under a serious environmental and health risk.