English

States that in January to April 1989, over 90% of greater Montreal day car centres exceeded 1000 ppm of carbon dioxide. Independent positive predictors were the child density, presence of electric heating, absence of a ventilation system and age of the building. Recommends that clear standards and inspection policies should be set for day care centre air quality.

Relates exposure measurements for indoor air quality in schools to perception of IAQ by employees. A questionnaire was used to gather information on subjective air quality, domestic exposures and health aspects. 38 schools were covered in the study. A 53% section of personnel reported bad or very bad indoor air quality. Worst reports came from the younger personnel, those dissatisfied with their psychosocial work climate and those not exposed to domestic tobacco smoke. Less IAQ dissatisfaction was reported for older schools and those with displacement ventilation.

States that schools often have a low air change rate. The study attempted to find out if an improvement in school ventilation would lead to improved health in pupils. A questionnaire was set for 1476 primary and secondary school pupils in 39 schools. 100 classrooms were monitored. New ventilation systems were installed in 12% of the classrooms over the survey period, increasing air change rate and reducing relative humidity and occurrence of a number of airborne pollutants. The study found that reporting of asthmatic symptoms decreased in the schools with new ventilation systems.

Describes a longitudinal study of 83 social workers in two office building in Sweden. The exposed group moved to a newly redecorated building nearby, using low emitting building materials and solvent-free paint. Findings indicated that the move resulted in an increase in the personal outdoor airflow rate. The move resulted in increased nasal patency and ECP and lysozyme in NAL. Concludes that no major ocular or nasal effects or measurable increase in indoor air pollution need to result from redecoration of a well-ventilated building, if low emitting materials are chosen.

A study was done to find a link between bronchial obstruction in infants under two years old and ventilation rate in residential buildings. A matched case control study was carried out in Oslo over two years. It was found that the risk of bronchial obstruction was not directly associated with the ventilation rate in litres per second and per person. Environmental tobacco smoke affected the incidence of bronchial obstruction, as well as dampness, presence of textile wallpaper and plasticiser-containing surfaces.

The study aimed to assess prevalence of complaints and symptoms in relation to sick building syndrome for workers in an air conditioned building in Italy, in the absence of earlier reported complaints. The control was 281 workers in three naturally ventilated buildings. There was a significantly higher number of complaints from the air conditioned office building's employees, including strong lighting, high temperature and dry, dusty and stuffy air. No significant difference was noted in respiratory or general symptoms.

A cross sectional study with control was performed to identify sick building syndrome symptoms in office workers in northern France, based on an air conditioned and a naturally ventilated building. Found that exposure to air conditioning was linked to an increased prevalence of symptoms, and increased sickness absence. Two determinants not previously described resulting from logistic regression were family history of respiratory diseases and 'do-it-yourself' activities.

Summarises the results of product analyses and a series of small chamber emissions tests on alkyd paint. Also describes the use of a mass balance approach to evaluate the impact of test variables and to assess the quality of the emissions data.

Describes how design aids were developed to simplify the task of sizing inlet and exhaust openings and airway height for cathedral ceilings. Recommends guidelines for when and where roof ventilation is needed to avoid icings at eaves.

Aimed to find out if a decrease in sick building syndrome symptoms as the result of an improved ventilation system was still in force after three years. The buildings, both old and new, had sealed windows with mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, and humidification. The prevalence of most symptoms had originally decreased by 40% to 50%. The case was similar after three years.