Indoor Air Quality: A UK Perspective

Abstract

Outdoor air quality has generally improved in the UK over the last 2 decades but during this period changing conditions within the home have tended to reduce ventilation and increase the opportunity for accumulation of undesirable levels of indoor air pollutants. Information obtained from laboratory and epidemiological studies suggests that indoor air pollutants are an important cause of avoidable morbidity and mortality in the UK. This paper reviews the major indoor air pollutants of concern in the UK and considers some of the special issues relevant to indoor environment.

Designing a Simple Tool Kit and Protocol for the Investigation of the Indoor Environment in Homes

“…The lack of legislation pertaining to the control of pollutants in the home environment is mainly due to the fact that it would be almost impossible to enforce because of individual lifestyles and personal choices [14]. The main source of legislative control comes from ensuring that non-polluting materials are used in building processes and in consumer products for the home [15]. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is also partly regulated by setting building standards to ensure adequate ventilation is provided to dilute indoor pollutants [16,17].…”

Chemistry and Air-conditioning: Sampling and Analysis of Particles Collected from Filters of Air Conditioning Equipment in Athens

“…As far as the TC is concerned, its level is low, too. The concentration of the DSF and the elemental carbon were found to be high, compared with the TOC [16,20,21].…”

“…Moreover there were fireplaces in the homes nearby. These suburbs are situated on a hill, and the wind allowed dispersion of the pollutants [18,21,23]. Traffic, here, can be considered as a secondary source of pollution.…”

Some Aspects of Indoor Air Quality in Romania

“…Radioactive Pollution Even though there are epidemiological studies which do not provide evidence that high radon concentrations increase the risk for lung cancer, others suggest that long term exposure to radioactive emissions do represent a mutagenic risk, as outlined by Wadge [14], who maintains that there is a relationship between cancer and high levels of 222Rn indoors. In Romania, many studies dealing with radioactive pollutants [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] have been conducted.…”