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Impacts of Indoor Environmental Quality upon Public Health and Wellbeing

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 13501

Special Issue Editor

UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Interests: building performance monitoring and modelling; evaluation of indoor air quality (especially biological such as dust mites); active design and operational aspect of buildings - especially occupant behaviour
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental degradation problems such as climate change, air pollution, and resource scarcity, mixed with the coronavirus pandemic crisis, have created the ‘perfect storm’, posing dramatic risks for public health and wellbeing worldwide. The problem is further compounded by the risks to vulnerable populations being especially severe, with the potential for significant inequalities exacerbated by high unemployment rates often occurring within areas with the greatest environmental problems. Whilst most evidence to date on some of these challenges focuses on outdoor environmental conditions and is at the city or neighborhood scale, the significance of ‘healthy’ indoor environments—especially buildings such as homes, offices, schools or healthcare buildings—has come to the fore in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Evidence is needed on:

  • The evaluation of relevant interventions, through quantitative or mixed methods;
  • The prevalence of exposure to indoor environmental quality in populations/sub-groups, through monitoring or modelling studies;
  • Dose-response relationships and/or potential for synergistic effects across parameters of environment quality upon health and wellbeing outcomes;  
  • Evaluation of inequalities arising from indoor environmental quality;
  • Impact of ‘smart’ technologies and/or artificial intelligence upon health and wellbeing through modifications of indoor environmental quality, including aspects related to digital exclusion;
  • How to improve health/wellbeing by leveraging indoor environmental quality parameters: what fosters wellbeing, as opposed to ‘simply’ reducing risks to health?

Papers addressing the topics above are invited for this Special Issue. Papers on design strategies/technologies are welcome, as long as they discuss explicitly the likely impact on health/wellbeing, preferably based on evidence substantiated by data (e.g., monitoring/modelling). Papers adopting qualitative or mixed methods, whole systems thinking, participatory or co-production approaches to mapping/understanding problems are also welcome.

For further information, please contact the Guest Editor, Dr. Marcella Ucci at [email protected].

Dr. Marcella Ucci
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • indoor environmental quality
  • public health
  • wellbeing
  • inequalities
  • buildings
  • pollution
  • ventilation
  • thermal performance
  • sound
  • lighting
  • dampness and moisture

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1326 KiB  
Article
Exposures, Symptoms and Risk Perception among Office Workers in Relation to Nanoparticles in the Work Environment
by Hans Orru, Henrik Olstrup, Annika Hagenbjörk, Steven Nordin and Kati Orru
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5789; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105789 - 10 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1714
Abstract
Submicroscopic nanoparticles (NPs) in air have received much attention due to their possible effects on health and wellbeing. Adverse health impacts of air pollution may not only be associated with level of exposure, but also mediated by the perception of the pollution and [...] Read more.
Submicroscopic nanoparticles (NPs) in air have received much attention due to their possible effects on health and wellbeing. Adverse health impacts of air pollution may not only be associated with level of exposure, but also mediated by the perception of the pollution and by beliefs of the exposure being hazardous. The aim of this study was to test a model that describes interrelations between NP pollution, perceived air quality, health risk perception, stress, and sick building syndrome. In the NanoOffice study, the level of NPs was measured and a survey on health risk perception was conducted among 260 employees in twelve office buildings in northern Sweden. Path analyses were performed to test the validity of the model. The data refute the model proposing that the NP exposure level significantly influences stress, chronic diseases, or SBS symptoms. Instead, the perceived exposure influences the perceived risk of NP, and the effect of perceived exposure on SBS and chronic disease is mediated by stress. There was little concern about nanoparticles, despite relatively high levels in some facilities. Perceived pollution and health risk perception may explain a large part of the environmentally induced symptoms and diseases, particularly in relatively low levels of pollution. The research results raise important questions on the physiologically or psychologically mediated health effects of air pollution. Full article
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20 pages, 6458 KiB  
Article
Improving Visual Comfort and Health through the Design of a Local Shading Device
by Jiao Xue, Yige Fan, Zhanxun Dong, Xiao Hu and Jiatong Yue
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074406 - 06 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2435
Abstract
As people develop higher standards for the beauty of urban architecture, more and more architectural designs are exploring sources of natural lighting, such as glass curtain walls and glass domes. However, the pursuit of architectural design aesthetics introduces glare into buildings, which can [...] Read more.
As people develop higher standards for the beauty of urban architecture, more and more architectural designs are exploring sources of natural lighting, such as glass curtain walls and glass domes. However, the pursuit of architectural design aesthetics introduces glare into buildings, which can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for health. Scholars in related fields have carried out many theoretical studies and design activities based on this problem. In this study, we focus on issues of glare in public buildings, aiming to improve light comfort by solving this problem. First, we propose an improved design strategy based on IDEO design thinking by adding the step of diverging from the design scheme. Second, guided by the results of a questionnaire survey and light environment simulations, we avoided the subjective simplicity of the traditional design process. Third, taking the main library of Shanghai Jiao Tong University as an example, we designed a movable sunshade that could effectively reduce glare effects and improve visual comfort, which improved the light comfort in public buildings. The simulation results show that the proposed design can be useful in buildings to effectively control glare and improve visual comfort and health. Full article
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11 pages, 1247 KiB  
Article
Fatal Unintentional Non-Fire Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Data from Narrative Verdicts in England and Wales, 1998–2019
by Rebecca M. Close, Neelam Iqbal, Sarah J. Jones, Andrew Kibble, Robert J. Flanagan, Helen Crabbe and Giovanni S. Leonardi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4099; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074099 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1836
Abstract
Unintentional non-fire related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning continues to cause fatalities. The narrative verdicts from coroners concerning fatal UNFR CO poisoning in England and Wales, 1998–2019, were collated by the Office for National Statistics. Search terms related to CO exposure were used [...] Read more.
Unintentional non-fire related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning continues to cause fatalities. The narrative verdicts from coroners concerning fatal UNFR CO poisoning in England and Wales, 1998–2019, were collated by the Office for National Statistics. Search terms related to CO exposure were used to obtain information regarding the circumstances of death. Findings were grouped by the location of death, the source of CO, and the reason or behaviour underlying the exposure. There were 750 deaths (77% male). The annual number of deaths decreased over the period studied. Two thirds (68%) of the deaths occurred in the autumn or winter. From the records with information, 59% of deaths occurred within a dwelling (67% male). Males also predominated deaths within vehicles (91%) and garages or outbuildings (95%). From the deaths with information, domestic piped gas was the most common source of CO (36%) and the most frequent underlying factor was inadequate ventilation of exhaust gases (39%, 91% male). Despite the decrease in the annual number of deaths over the study period, there remains a clear need for measures that raise awareness of the dangers of CO poisoning, especially amongst men working alone in garages or outbuildings. Education campaigns and fitting and maintaining CO alarms in high-risk areas should be encouraged. Full article
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33 pages, 4714 KiB  
Article
A Citizen Science Approach to Identifying Indoor Environmental Barriers to Optimal Health for under 5s Experiencing Homelessness in Temporary Accommodation
by Diana Margot Rosenthal, Marcella Ucci, Michelle Heys, Antoinette Schoenthaler, Monica Lakhanpaul, Andrew Hayward and Celine Lewis
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 3976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073976 - 27 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3332
Abstract
The first five years of life are critical for optimal growth, health, and cognitive development. Adverse childhood experiences, including experiencing homelessness, can be a risk factor for multiple health issues and developmental challenges. There is a dearth of data collected with and by [...] Read more.
The first five years of life are critical for optimal growth, health, and cognitive development. Adverse childhood experiences, including experiencing homelessness, can be a risk factor for multiple health issues and developmental challenges. There is a dearth of data collected with and by families with children under age five living in temporary accommodation due to experiencing homelessness (U5TA) describing indoor environmental barriers that prevent U5TA from achieving and maintaining optimal health. The aim of this study was to address this current gap using a citizen science approach. Fifteen participants, who were mothers of U5TA living in a deprived area of London, and the lead researcher collected data in late 2019/early 2020 using: (I) a housing survey conducted via a mobile app; (II) house visits; and (III) collaborative meetings. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Key themes included: overcrowding/shared facilities, dampness/mold growth, poor/inadequate kitchen/toilet facilities, infestations/vermin, structural problems/disrepair, unsafe electrics, excessively cold temperatures, and unsafe surfaces that risk causing trips/falls, with all participants experiencing multiple concurrent indoor environmental barriers. The citizen science approach was successfully used to collect meaningful data demonstrating the need for child-centered housing policies meeting the needs of current and future generations of families living in TA. Full article
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19 pages, 3888 KiB  
Article
Are Historical Buildings More Adaptive to Minimize the Risks of Airborne Transmission of Viruses and Public Health? A Study of the Hazzazi House in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
by Alaa Alaidroos, Ayad Almaimani, Ahmed Baik, Mohamed Al-Amodi and Khan Rubayet Rahaman
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3601; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073601 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2675
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought immense challenges to the natural and built environment to develop an antivirus-enabled model for reducing potential risks of spreading the virus at varied scales such as buildings, neighborhoods, and cities. Spatial configurations of structures may hinder or [...] Read more.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought immense challenges to the natural and built environment to develop an antivirus-enabled model for reducing potential risks of spreading the virus at varied scales such as buildings, neighborhoods, and cities. Spatial configurations of structures may hinder or assist the spread of viruses in the built environment. In this study, we have hypothesized that suitable air ventilation in historic buildings may enhance the built environment to combat the spreading of infectious viruses. To provide such quantitative shreds of evidence, we have generated and estimated an integrated model to summarize obtained information by considering natural ventilation, wind speed, inflow and outflow, wind direction, and forecasting the associated risks of airborne disease transmission in a historical building (i.e., the Hazzazi House in particular). Intrinsically, the results have demonstrated that the effectiveness of natural ventilation has directly influenced reducing the risks of transmitting airborne infectious viruses for the selected heritage building in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The adopted methods in this research may be useful to understand the potentials of conserving old heritage buildings. Consequently, the results demonstrate that natural air ventilation systems are critical to combat the spread of infectious diseases in the pandemic. Full article
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