title: [Hydrophobizing building facades and subsequent indoor air pollution and offensive odors--10 case reports].
abstract: Water repellent and façade protective solvent-containing agents applied to external façades (hydrophobizing) may in some cases cause considerable and long-term indoor aerosol pollution with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. This may result in odor nuisance and other complaints that may even make the affected rooms uninhabitable. To date the entire phenomenon has not been subjected to conclusive scientific research although its existence has long been known. Administrative offices react inconsistently to complaints; in many cases their actions are unsystematic and they try to minimize the issue. Measurement data and results of investigations from 10 practical cases are juxtaposed to find causal links and to assess the relevance of the entire problem of hydrophobizing of façades. The type, extent and duration of indoor aerosol pollutions are discussed and assessed in respect of already existing guiding and reference values. Furthermore, suggestions are made to the Public Health Services in the sense of preventive health protection. A more far-reaching consequence would be to introduce a licence for façade hydrophobizing or weather-proofing of buildings; this suggestion is offered for discussion.
authors.affiliation: Allgemeines Krankenhaus Altona, Hamburg.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nussbaum
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bigdon
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D009812:Odorants; D012828:Silicones / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones
vernacular_title: Fassadenhydrophobierungen und damit in Zusammenhang stehende Innenraumluftbelastungen und Geruchsbelästigungen--10 Fallbeispiele.