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Current state of the science: health effects and indoor environmental quality.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mitchell, CS; Zhang, JJ; Sigsgaard, T; Jantunen, M; Lioy, PJ; Samson, R; Karol, MH
Published in: Environmental health perspectives
June 2007

Our understanding of the relationship between human health and the indoor environment continues to evolve. Previous research on health and indoor environments has tended to concentrate on discrete pollutant sources and exposures and on specific disease processes. Recently, efforts have been made to characterize more fully the complex interactions between the health of occupants and the interior spaces they inhabit. In this article we review recent advances in source characterization, exposure assessment, health effects associated with indoor exposures, and intervention research related to indoor environments. Advances in source characterization include a better understanding of how chemicals are transported and processed within spaces and the role that other factors such as lighting and building design may play in determining health. Efforts are under way to improve our ability to measure exposures, but this remains a challenge, particularly for biological agents. Researchers are also examining the effects of multiple exposures as well as the effects of exposures on vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. In addition, a number of investigators are also studying the effects of modifying building design, materials, and operations on occupant health. Identification of research priorities should include input from building designers, operators, and the public health community.

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Published In

Environmental health perspectives

DOI

EISSN

1552-9924

ISSN

0091-6765

Publication Date

June 2007

Volume

115

Issue

6

Start / End Page

958 / 964

Related Subject Headings

  • Toxicology
  • Particulate Matter
  • Humans
  • Housing
  • Environmental Illness
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environment Design
  • Construction Materials
  • Building Codes
  • Air Pollution, Indoor
 

Citation

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Mitchell, C. S., Zhang, J. J., Sigsgaard, T., Jantunen, M., Lioy, P. J., Samson, R., & Karol, M. H. (2007). Current state of the science: health effects and indoor environmental quality. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(6), 958–964. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8987
Mitchell, Clifford S., Junfeng Jim Zhang, Torben Sigsgaard, Matti Jantunen, Paul J. Lioy, Robert Samson, and Meryl H. Karol. “Current state of the science: health effects and indoor environmental quality.Environmental Health Perspectives 115, no. 6 (June 2007): 958–64. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8987.
Mitchell CS, Zhang JJ, Sigsgaard T, Jantunen M, Lioy PJ, Samson R, et al. Current state of the science: health effects and indoor environmental quality. Environmental health perspectives. 2007 Jun;115(6):958–64.
Mitchell, Clifford S., et al. “Current state of the science: health effects and indoor environmental quality.Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 115, no. 6, June 2007, pp. 958–64. Epmc, doi:10.1289/ehp.8987.
Mitchell CS, Zhang JJ, Sigsgaard T, Jantunen M, Lioy PJ, Samson R, Karol MH. Current state of the science: health effects and indoor environmental quality. Environmental health perspectives. 2007 Jun;115(6):958–964.

Published In

Environmental health perspectives

DOI

EISSN

1552-9924

ISSN

0091-6765

Publication Date

June 2007

Volume

115

Issue

6

Start / End Page

958 / 964

Related Subject Headings

  • Toxicology
  • Particulate Matter
  • Humans
  • Housing
  • Environmental Illness
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environment Design
  • Construction Materials
  • Building Codes
  • Air Pollution, Indoor