Indoor pollution and its impact on respiratory health.
OBJECTIVE
This overview discusses the respiratory complications of indoor air pollution, emphasizing the most common pollutants that individuals are likely to encounter outside the workplace.


METHODS
Data were obtained from a review of the recent literature.


METHODS
The expert opinion of the author was used to select and synthesize relevant data on this multifaceted subject.


RESULTS
There have been a number of studies documenting an association between exposure to indoor allergens and development of both sensitization and asthma in children. In addition to classic allergens, chemical indoor air pollution may also exert an adverse effect on both the upper and lower respiratory tract by a variety of nonimmunologic, irritative mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Our understanding of the adverse effects of indoor air pollution on health and comfort has broadened in recent years. It has supplied a credible framework for developing and implementing a variety of control strategies.
Bardana
E J
EJ
Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA. bardanae@ohsu.edu
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
D000485:Allergens