Department of Health and Human Services

Indoor air pollution, building-related illness, and "sick building syndrome" have received increased attention over the last several years. Research, conducted by various agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has shown that the quality of indoor air can be many times worse than that of the outdoor air. Given the fact that many people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, the health risk due to indoor air pollutants is a significant public health concern.

Indoor air quality can affect people's health and can have economic and legal implications. For example:

• Pollutants can cause or contribute to short- and long-term health problems, including asthma, respiratory tract infections, allergic reactions, headaches, congestion, eye and skin irritations, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, dizziness and nausea.
• Indoor air pollutants can cause discomfort, and reduce attendance and productivity. Recent data suggest that poor IAQ can reduce a person's ability to perform specific mental tasks requiring concentration, calculation, or memory.
• Indoor air pollutants hasten building deterioration. For example, uncontolled moisture can result in mold growth that leads to the structural decay of building components.
• Poor indoor air quality strains relationships among employees, family members, parents, teachers, students and school administrations.
• Indoor air quality problems can result in liability issues or lawsuits.

What can you do?
For specific health information, causes of poor indoor air quality, and corrective actions for offices and commercial buildings, schools, and homes, select the appropriate topic area below:

• Homes
• Offices and Commercial Buildings
• Schools
• State Government and University Buildings

How N.C. Public Health can help:
Industrial hygienists, physicians and toxicologists with Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology in the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services serve as consultants to school systems, local health departments, home owners, renters, employees, business owners, physicians, and other governmental agencies. They:

• Provide guidance and literature to the general public and others on various IAQ topics.
• Provide training and support on IAQ-related issues to local health departments and other organizations.
• May conduct on-site IAQ evaluations of buildings such as schools, governmental offices, and selected other buildings, as requested by physicians, local health departments and other governmental agencies.

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