The book describes the effects of air pollutants, from the indoor and outdoor spaces, on the human physiology. Air pollutants can influence inflammation biomarkers, can influence the pathogenesis of chronic cough, can influence reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can induce autonomic nervous system interactions that modulate cardiac oxidative stress and cardiac electrophysiological changes, can participate in the onset and exacerbation of upper respiratory and cardio-vascular diseases, can lead to the exacerbation of asthma and allergic diseases. The book also presents how the urban environment can influence and modify the impact of various pollutants on human health.

Air pollution is air pollution, indoors or out. Good indoor air quality (IAQ) contributes to a favorable learning environment for students, protects health, and supports the productivity of school personnel. In schools in poor repair, leaky roofs and crumbling walls have caused additional indoor air quality problems, including contamination with lead and asbestos, dust, or radon. United States Environmental Protection Agency studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor pollution levels may be 2-5 times, and sometimes 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. Most people spend 90% of their time indoors. It is easy to understand why school decisions to cut spending on cleaning and repair ("deferred maintenance") are penny-wise and pound-foolish: resulting air pollution will harm occupants and multiply the cost to repair buildings later. This paper shows some typical signs/symptoms of IAQ problems and what schools should be doing. It also offers tips on when parents should suspect a school has an IAQ problem and what they should do if schools ignore IAQ problems. A list of resources is included.

Existing indoor air quality (IAQ) policies for schools reflect the variety of institutional, political, social, and economic contexts that exist within individual states. The purpose of this report is to provide a better understanding of the types of policy strategies used by states in addressing general indoor air quality problems. The policies discussed illustrate approaches that states can consider when developing legislation, regulations, guidance documents, and programs to create healthier indoor environments in schools. The report provides detailed information on existing policies, with an emphasis on policy strategies aimed at preventing indoor air quality problems. Thus, the report focuses on policies that promote better maintenance and management of existing school facilities, as well as better design and construction practices in new and renovated schools. Additionally, since an IAQ policy has little value unless implemented, the report highlights significant implementation activities and notes potential strengths and weaknesses of individual policies in this regard. (EV).

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.