Quality of indoor residential air and health

About 90% of our time is spent indoors where we are exposed to chemical and biological contaminants and possibly to carcinogens. These agents may influence the risk of developing nonspecific respiratory and neurologic symptoms, allergies, asthma and lung cancer. We review the sources, health effects...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Medical Association journal 2008-07, Vol.179 (2), p.147-152
Main Authors: Dales, Robert, MD MSc(Epi, Liu, Ling, MMD PhD, Wheeler, Amanda J., PhD, Gilbert, Nicolas L., MSc
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants, Radioactive - adverse effects
Air Pollution, Indoor - adverse effects
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
Allergens - adverse effects
Allergic reaction
Allergy
Carcinogens, Environmental - adverse effects
Environmental Exposure - adverse effects
Environmental Monitoring
Epidemiological Monitoring
Female
Hazardous materials
Health aspects
Houses
Humans
Indoor air quality
Lung Diseases - epidemiology
Lung Diseases - etiology
Lung Neoplasms - epidemiology
Lung Neoplasms - etiology
Male
Management
North America
Ontario
Prevention
Public health
Radon - adverse effects
Respiratory tract diseases
Review
Risk Assessment
Risk factors
Smoking
Studies
Tobacco Smoke Pollution - adverse effects
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Summary:About 90% of our time is spent indoors where we are exposed to chemical and biological contaminants and possibly to carcinogens. These agents may influence the risk of developing nonspecific respiratory and neurologic symptoms, allergies, asthma and lung cancer. We review the sources, health effects and control strategies for several of these agents. There are conflicting data about indoor allergens. Early exposure may increase or may decrease the risk of future sensitization. Reports of indoor moulds or dampness or both are consistently associated with increased respiratory symptoms but causality has not been established. After cigarette smoking, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and radon are the most common causes of lung cancer. Homeowners can improve the air quality in their homes, often with relatively simple measures, which should provide health benefits.
ISSN:0008-4409
0820-3946
1488-2329
DOI:10.1503/cmaj.070359