Damp Indoor Spaces and Health

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, 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