Undertaking research on indoor air pollution

Monitoring indoor air pollution
Conducting indoor air quality investigations

Description

Determine the role of biological contaminants in indoor environments in the causation and exacerbation of allergies (including asthma) and other disorders. Create a better understanding of the role of biological contaminants in the increased incidence of allergies and other disorders.

Context

On average, people spend around 95% of their time indoors, and most of this time is spent in their homes. In addition to the impact of ambient air pollution on indoor air quality, there are a number of pollution sources which are specific to the indoor environment. These include tobacco smoke, combustion appliances, furniture and building materials. Biological indoor pollution sources, e.g. dust mites, pets and moulds, possibly present the biggest threat, but this is the least researched area.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends supporting research and developing programmes for applying prevention and control methods to reducing indoor air pollution, including economic incentives for the installation of appropriate technology.

Claim

Florence Nightingale made ventilation a central principle of hospital design. In her famous 1859 book Notes on Nursing, she emphasized keeping indoor air as pure as the air outside. Modern buildings have often moved in the opposite direction. To conserve energy, we sealed them tightly. Windows stopped opening. Outside-air exchange was reduced. We became extraordinarily sophisticated at heating and cooling indoor air without necessarily asking enough questions about what else was circulating in it.