Damp Indoor Spaces and Health

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experienceleaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point.Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributesto several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and othermicrobial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture mayinitiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materialsand furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines thehealth impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments andoffers recommendations for public health interventions.

Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The booknot only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environmentsand adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and wherebuildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemicalemissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements ofa public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature reviewfinds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environmentsand some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing,and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be ofinterest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, andbuilding professionals, government officials, and members of the public.