Excessive indoor air pollution can cause sick building syndrome (SBS), cases of which still occur in Japanese homes despite strict regulations on the value of indoor chemical substances established by the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare. Idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI), so-called multi-chemical sensitivity (MCS) has become another issue because it is caused by an extreme low concentration of chemical substances. These problems are discussed from the viewpoint of environmental hygiene in the present study. First, indoor air quality and its adverse effect on health is reviewed according to the history of sick buildings. Next, the factors concerning indoor air quality are indicated, and then measures to combat these problems are considered to improve the indoor environment. No ideal solution has been found: however, we summarize important knowledge on research to regain patient health as a result SBS and MCS.

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Objective: To evaluate the management mode for the prevention and control of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) transmission utilized at a general hospital in Shenzhen, China, with the aim to maintain the normal operation of the hospital. Methods: From January 2, 2020 to April 23, 2020, Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Shenzhen, has operated a special response protocol named comprehensive pandemic prevention and control model, which mainly includes six aspects: 1) human resource management; 2) equipment management; 3) logistics management; 4) cleaning, disinfection and process reengineering; 5) environment layout; 6) and training and assessment. The detail of every aspect was described and its efficiency was evaluated. Results: A total of 198,802 patients were received. Of those, 10,821 were hospitalized; 26,767 were received by the emergency department and fever clinics; 288 patients were admitted for observation with fever; and 324 were admitted as suspected cases for isolation. Under the protocol of comprehensive pandemic prevention and control model, no case of hospital-acquired infection with COVID-19 occurred among the inpatients or staff. Conclusion: The present comprehensive response model may be useful in large public health emergencies to ensure appropriate management and protect the health and life of individuals.