health

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.

Describes the monitoring of indoor air quality in a San Francisco office building where occupants had registered eye, nose and throat irritation complaints. Data was taken under two different ventilation rates. Carbon dioxide concentrations increased as the ventilation rate decreased, odour perceptibility increased slightly at the lowest ventilation rate, and other pollutants generally showed very low concentrations, which increased when ventilation was reduced.

Briefly reviews sources and types of air contaminants common in tight houses. Covers four indoor pollutants - carbon-monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves, particleboard plywood and urea-formaldehyde from insulation, and radon from various building materials.Suggests ways of lowering pollutant levels without compromising energy conservation considerations.

Reports survey of indoor climate problems in dwellings. Questionnaires were distributed to 424 families who had complained of indoor climate problems and 240 replies were received. The questionnaires dealt with complaints relating to the dwellings and the age, profession, health and smoking habits of theoccupants. The dwellings are described by type, age, material of outer and interior walls, ceiling and floor. There are questions on ventilating habits, cleaning habits and occupants' views on dust, noise, odour, temperature, humidity and draughts.