Indoor Residential Chemical Exposures as Risk Factors for Asthmaand Allergy in Infants and Children: a Review
Most research into effects of residential indoor air exposures on asthma and allergies has focused on exposures to biologic allergens, moisture and mold, endotoxin, or combustion byproducts. This paper briefly reviews reported findings on associations of asthma or allergy in infants or children with risk factors related to indoor chemical emissions from residential materials or surface coatings. Associations, some strong (e.g., odds ratios up to 13), were reported. The most frequently identified risk factors were formaldehyde, aromatic organic compounds such as toluene and benzene, plastic materials and plasticizers, and recent painting. Exposures and consequent effects from indoor sources may be exacerbated by decreased ventilation. Identified risk factors may be proxies for correlated exposures. Findings suggest the frequent occurrence of important but preventable effects on asthma and allergy in infants and children worldwide from modern residential building materials and coatings.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; Indoor Environments Division. Office of Radiation andIndoor Air. Office of Air and Radiation. US Environmental ProtectionAgency through interagency agreement DW-89-92175001-0
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 888773
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-59781; R&D Project: E26101; BnR: 400408000; TRN: US200623%%546
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Healthy Buildings 2006, Lisbon, Portugal, June4-8, 2006
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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