2008/07/14 by Robert Dales, Lei Liu, Amanda J. Wheeler +1 · 196 citations
Environmental Science · Health Professions · Medicine · #Air Quality and Health Impacts #Asthma #Biology #Cigarette smoke #Environmental engineering #Environmental health #Environmental science #Immunology #Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure #Indoor air #Indoor air quality #Lung cancer #Medicine #Noise Effects and Management #Pathology #Tobacco smoke #Toxicology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1503/cmaj.070359
published in Canadian Medical Association Journal 179(2), 147-152 (Canadian Medical Association)
openalex publication_date 2008/07/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
About 90% of our time is spent indoors where we are exposed to chemical and biological contaminants and possibly to carcinogens. These agents may influence the risk of developing nonspecific respiratory and neurologic symptoms, allergies, asthma and lung cancer. We review the sources, health effects and control strategies for several of these agents. There are conflicting data about indoor allergens. Early exposure may increase or may decrease the risk of future sensitization. Reports of indoor moulds or dampness or both are consistently associated with increased respiratory symptoms but causality has not been established. After cigarette smoking, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and radon are the most common causes of lung cancer. Homeowners can improve the air quality in their homes, often with relatively simple measures, which should provide health benefits.