Some Aspects of Indoor Air Quality in Romania

Abstract

Because people tend to spend most of their time indoors at home and often in their work-places, the radioactivity of building materials, chemicals released by plastics, polishing substances, furnishings, paints, toners, solvents, deodorisers, tobacco smoke as well as noise levels, thermal comfort and illumination are major concerns with respect to indoor air pollution and hygiene. This paper aims to emphasise the problems and sources of pollutants indoors in Romania and to review some selected results obtained by Romanian research groups. Although interest in and some legal requirements on accepted pollutant concentrations existed before 1990, a role for environmental protection and policy has only come to the fore over the past few years. Many studies have been made and the results of these presented at a number of symposia, this showing the deep concern which exists over pollution problems in general and especially those of air contamination.