title: Will drivers for home energy efficiency harm occupant health?
abstract: The U.K. government has committed to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, with housing accounting for 27% of total current emissions. There are several drivers both to reduce emissions from homes and to reduce fuel poverty, promoting a range of building and behavioural measures in homes. The health benefits of warmer homes in winter have been described, but there has been less consideration of the potential negative impacts of some of these measures. We examine the changes in U.K. homes, and the possible consequences for health. The main concerns for health surround the potential for poor indoor air quality if ventilation is insufficient and the possible risks of overheating in heatwave conditions. This paper notes a limited evidence base and the need for further research on the health effects of energy-efficient homes, particularly with regard to ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Health Protection Agency, 7th Floor, Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7PR, UK. angie.bone@o2.co.uk
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bone
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dengel
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crump
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000379:methods*; D006798:Housing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D015980:Public Health Practice; D006113:United Kingdom; D014691:Ventilation / Q000592:standards