The Institute of Medicine of The National Academies has released the study "Climate Change, the Indoor Environment, and Health". One of the findings is that climate change may make ventilation problems in buildings more common or more severe in the future by "stimulating the implementation of energy-efficiency (weatherization) measures that limit the exchange of indoor air with outdoor air."
Other findings:
· Research indicates that poor ventilation in homes, offices, and schools is associated with occupant health problems and lower productivity.
· Proper design, operation, hygiene, and maintenance of HVAC systems contribute to lower microbial contamination, decreased disease incidence, and increased occupant productivity.
· Problems will persist until the weatherization workforce is properly trained to recognize and avoid problems of indoor environmental quality, the efficacy of guidelines and codes is validated, and they are widely implemented.
· Introduction of new materials and weatherization techniques may lead to unexpected exposures and health risks. Energy-efficiency programs must therefore take emissions of building materials and products into account and incorporate tracking mechanisms to identify problems of indoor environmental quality as they arise and solutions as they are developed and implemented.
