Report of Ad Hoc Task Force on Indoor Air Pollution

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6537077

Dudney, C S; Walsh, P J ^[1]

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1. eds.

The quality of air within a man-made structure is likely to be affected by energy conserving modifications made on that structure. Information was reviewed on indoor air pollution and the potential impact on human health of energy conservation measures, primarily those to be applied in residences. Studies that have been done and those in progress indicate that indoor air pollution may significantly affect human health. The task force concluded from its investigations that: (1) the indoor environment is likely to include exposure to radon daughter nuclides, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable particulates, and asbestos, as well as other undefined pollutants; (2) indoor exposure may constitute 80 to 95% of the total exposure for some pollutants; (3) studies have not been done which provide a basis for an adequate assessment of indoor air quality; (4) some energy conservation measures reduce the rate of exchange between indoor and outdoor air; (5) reduced air exchange can lead to increased indoor levels of some pollutants; (6) increased indoor pollutant levels lead to increased exposure and increased risk of health impact; and (7) many federal agencies have an interest in various facets of indoor air pollution, but no agency has authority over the entire problem, and there has not been adequate coordination among the interested agencies. In light of the above, this task force recommends that a national policy on indoor air quality be developed and promulgated, the federal authority for establishment of indoor air quality guidelines and recommendations be clarified, and a lead agency be identified to develop a coordinated plan for studies of indoor air pollution with sufficient resources for its implementation.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6537077
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-7679
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
ASBESTOS
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BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
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ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FLUIDS
FORMALDEHYDE
GASES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
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NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
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ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
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RADON
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REVIEWS
RISK ASSESSMENT
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