Winner of the 1999 best medical student paper in preventive medicine. Don't hold your breath: personal exposures to volatile organic compounds and other toxins in indoor air and what's (not) being done about it.
BACKGROUND
Since the inception of the environmental movement early in the 1970s, the majority of regulation, laws, and standards regarding pollutants have focused on the release of pollutants into our air and water rather than on the extent of exposure. As a consequence, the actual amounts of toxic pollutants to which humans are continually exposed have long been ignored. Moreover, regulation and assessment of pollution have focused primarily on ambient environmental levels. This fails to adequately examine the state of indoor air. This is of particular concern and deserving of more attention, considering that a majority of people spend the majority of their time at home,


RESULTS
Studies on indoor air quality suggest that, within the home, people are exposed to high levels of numerous pollutants. Of particular concern are the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds because many of these are known carcinogens. While the need for further study is clear, what evidence there is already warrants the establishment of indoor air regulation and the implementation of preventive measures. For such measures to be effective, a great deal of education and outreach will be necessary. Also, health care providers must play an active role.
Spaeth
K R
KR
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000266:history; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014118:Toxins, Biological