Health Effects
Symptoms related to poor IAQ are varied depending on the type of contaminant. They can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses such as allergies, stress, colds, and influenza. The usual clue is that people feel ill while inside the building, and the symptoms go away shortly after leaving the building, or when away from the building for a period of time (such as on weekends or a vacation). Health or symptom surveys, such as the one included in Appendix D, have been used to help ascertain the existence of IAQ problems. Failure of building owners and operators to respond quickly and effectively to IAQ problems can lead to numerous adverse health consequences. Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later (8, 9, 10). Symptoms may include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches; dizziness; rashes; and muscle pain and fatigue (11, 12, 13, 14). Diseases linked to poor IAQ include asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (11, 13). The specific pollutant, the concentration of exposure, and the frequency and duration of exposure are all important factors in the type and severity of health effects resulting from poor IAQ. Age and preexisting medical conditions such as asthma and allergies may also influence the severity of the effects. Longterm effects due to indoor air pollutants may include respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, all of which can be severely debilitating or fatal (8, 11, 13).
Research has linked building dampness with significant health effects. Numerous species of bacteria and fungi, in particular filamentous fungi (mold), can contribute significantly to indoor air pollution (4, 15-20). Whenever sufficient moisture is present within workplaces, these microbes can grow and affect the health of workers in several ways. Workers may develop respiratory symptoms, allergies, or asthma (8). Asthma, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, sneezing, nasal congestion, and sinusitis have all been associated with indoor dampness in numerous studies (21-23). Asthma is both caused by and worsened by dampness in buildings. The most effective means to prevent or minimize adverse health effects is to determine the sources of persistent dampness in the workplace and eliminate them. More details on preventing mold-related problems can be found in the OSHA publication titled: “Preventing Mold-Related Problems in the Indoor Workplace” (17). Other environmental factors such as poor lighting, stress, noise, and thermal discomfort may cause or contribute to these health effects (8).
Post time: Jul-12-2022