health

This study quantified the daily average concentrations of respirable particulates in rural homes from three Indian districts. Thanks to this data a model is being developed to predict quantitative categories of population exposure based on survey information on housing and fuel characteristics. A better estimation of health risks will be possible.

This paper reports the distribution of VOC exposures, and explores the statistical associations between concentrations and common sources and modifiers of exposure, and examines the associations between personal, indoor, and outdoor exposure levels in children.

In so far as prevalence of asthma and allergies is different from East to West Germany, a suggestion that it was associated with lifestyle factors was made. The endotoxin levels in dust collected from more than 4000 infants and mothers mattresses were compared. But none of the predictors analyzed and even a combination of predictors can be used as a surrogate for high or low mattress dust endotoxin levels in epidemiological studies.

Both in domestic and public environments, dampness in buildings is a risk factor for health effects. A European group of scientists has reviewed the literature on that subject including mite exposure over the period 1998-2000. That review has shown that there is a huge need for multidisciplinary reviews in scientific papers including associations between indoor environmental factors and health effects.

This paper provides scientific evidence that electrified homes in South African rural villages have lower levels of air pollution compared to the non-electrified homes using fuel or wood. The measured air pollutants were RSP (stationary respirable particulate matter), the CO in the kitchen and the CO on the child.

In recent years, there has been a growing concern in the medical community regarding thehazardous effects of poor IAQ on the health of individuals.

The aim of the study was to develop solutions to the problems and deficiencies encountered inventilation systems of day care centres, and which were manifested as poor IAQ or excessiveenergy consumption in the buildings at the maintenance stage of their ventilation systems.During the afternoon rest hour the IAQ was monitored and other measurements of ventilationcapacity were made. The directors and maintenance personnel of the day care centres wereinterviewed and a questionnaire was presented to the staff.

The aim of that study was to compare measurements of wall relative humidity (RH) to mold identification in 458 samples from 100 dwellings. The mold identification was made by a direct microcospic examination of a sample collected on the wall by means of the gummed paper technique. The conclusion of that study was that a simple measurement of wall RH is a reliable index for suspecting S. Chartarum infestation in a dwelling.

A pilot questionnaire study was carried out on two groups: 128 occupants of new homes' (52 R-2000) on the one hand and 149 occupants of control homes on the other hand: both the groups were questionned to compare their general and respiratory health at occupancy and one year later. Symptom scores improved significantly over the year of occupancy for the occupants of energy efficient homes.

The purpose of that study was to measure exposure levels of phthalates and musk fragrances in typical apartments, kindergartens and to estimate their effects on health. 59 apartments and 74 kindergarten in Berlin were studied.