Causes of Indoor Air Quality Problems in Schools. Summary of Scientific Research

摘要

In the modern urban setting, most individuals spend about 80% of their time211u001eindoors and are therefore exposed to the indoor environment to a much greater 211u001eextent than to the outdoors (Lebowitz 1992). Concomitant with this increased 211u001ehabitation in urban buildings, there have been numerous reports of adverse health 211u001eeffects related to the IAQ ('sick buildings'). Most of these buildings were built 211u001ein the last two decades and were constructed to be energy-efficient. The quality 211u001eof air in the indoor environment can be altered by a number of factors: release 211u001eof volatile compounds from furnishings, floor and wall coverings, and other 211u001efinishing materials or machinery; inadequate ventilation; poor temperature and 211u001ehumidity control; re-entrainment of outdoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs); 211u001eand the contaminant of the indoor environment by microbes (particularly fungi).