ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Input from Housing and health counselling services is advisable when a patient's health seems to be impaired by their housing conditions. METHODS: 650 home visits have been performed by our organisation since 2002. Each visit includes a questionnaire to assess respiratory as well as non-respiratory indoor risk factors, Acarex test to assess mite-allergen content in mattress dust, mould sampling and, when appropriate, air sampling for measurement of volatile organic compounds and aldehydes. RESULTS: The dwellings studied were mostly flats located in the downtown and occupied by a tenant. In most instances, several health hazards were identified. These hazards, in decreasing occurrence included: mold (74.4%), mite infestation in mattress dust (56.3%), cleaning products accessible to children's'hands (47.8%), dangerous electrical circuits (21.1%), exposure to chemical air pollutants (9.0%), exposure to an electromagnetic field (2.8%). Numerous fungal species were identified often occurring in association. CONCLUSION: This service allowed the identification of numerous and various health hazards. Its efficacy and effectiveness remains to be evaluated.
Subject(s)
Air Pollution, Indoor , Allergens , Asthma , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Hazardous Substances , Housing , Adolescent , Adult , Asthma/diagnosis , Asthma/etiology , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/diagnosis , Conjunctivitis, Allergic/etiology , Female , Housing/standards , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mite Infestations/diagnosis , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/diagnosis , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/etiology , Risk Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.) are part of urban air pollution and are also generated indoors from cleaning and maintenance products. BACKGROUND: VOC measurements are, on average, 10 times higher within homes than outside. Results of the national survey led by the Observatoire National de la Qualité de l'Air Intérieur demonstrated that up to 25% of French homes have very high or high concentrations of VOC. Indoor levels depend mainly on indoor sources. Aldehydes are included in many everyday life products. VOC originate from various household decorating and cleaning products. Some products are less detrimental to the environment and health and have special labelling. Indoor VOC levels also depend on the rate of air exchange and on household characteristics such as indoor temperature and humidity, age of the building, presence of smokers, and communication with a garage. VIEWPOINTS: The public may participate in maintaining good indoor air quality and the authorities should also improve regulations. CONCLUSION: VOC are part of everyday air pollution. Their sources and concentrations should be better monitored.
