Abstract
This book presents WHO guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. The substances considered in this review, i.e. benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, naphthalene, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (especially benzo[a]pyrene), radon, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, have indoor sources, are known in respect of their hazardousness to health and are often found indoors in concentrations of health concern. The guidelines are targeted at public health professionals involved in preventing health risks of environmental exposures, as well as specialists and authorities involved in the design and use of buildings, indoor materials and products. They provide a scientific basis for legally enforceable standards.
Contents
- Contributors
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword
- Executive summary
- Introduction
- 1. Benzene
Roy Harrison, Juana M. Delgado Saborit, Frédéric Dor, and Rogene Henderson.
- 2. Carbon monoxide
David Penney, Vernon Benignus, Stylianos Kephalopoulos, Dimitrios Kotzias, Michael Kleinman, and Agnes Verrier.
- 3. Formaldehyde
Debra A. Kaden, Corinne Mandin, Gunnar D. Nielsen, and Peder Wolkoff.
- 4. Naphthalene
Alan Buckpitt, Stylianos Kephalopoulos, Kimmo Koistinen, Dimitrios Kotzias, Lidia Morawska, and Helmut Sagunski.
- 5. Nitrogen dioxide
Debbie J. Jarvis, Gary Adamkiewicz, Marie-Eve Heroux, Regula Rapp, and Frank J. Kelly.
- 6. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Hyunok Choi, Roy Harrison, Hannu Komulainen, and Juana M. Delgado Saborit.
- 7. Radon
Michaela Kreuzer and James McLaughlin.
- 8. Trichloroethylene
Nathalie Bonvallot, Paul Harrison, and Miranda Loh.
- 9. Tetrachloroethylene
Nicole Nijhuis, Miranda Loh, and Paul Harrison.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.
The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers' products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use. The views expressed by authors, editors, or expert groups do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the World Health Organization.
