Impact of Exposure to Indoor Air Chemicals on Health and the Progression of Building-Related Symptoms: A Case Report

Hiroko Nakaoka (), Norimichi Suzuki, Akifumi Eguchi, Daisuke Matsuzawa and Chisato Mori
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Hiroko Nakaoka: Centre for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Norimichi Suzuki: Centre for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Akifumi Eguchi: Centre for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
Daisuke Matsuzawa: Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
Chisato Mori: Centre for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: The aetiology of building-related symptoms (BRSs) is not well supported by sufficient scientific evidence, and it remains unclear whether BRSs are mediated by psychosocial and personal factors or a genuine physical susceptibility to low-dose chemical exposure. In April 2014, a 40-year-old man consulted the Environmental Medical Clinic at Chiba University complaining of recurring BRSs. Indoor air samples were collected from the patient’s house at 11 time points and subjected to chemical analyses. The patient simultaneously completed a questionnaire about his symptoms at the time of the measurements. Statistical examination of the indoor environmental factors and patient survey revealed that the patient’s symptoms were highly correlated with the indoor air quality. Additionally, ventilation may have mitigated his BRSs, whereas aerial odour did not trigger symptoms. These findings suggest that exposure to specific airborne chemicals in an indoor environment can cause BRSs, and ventilation may be one of the treatment options to mitigate symptoms. Additional investigations on the adverse impacts of airborne environmental chemicals on human health are necessary to develop effective treatments and establish preventive measures for BRSs, and further improvement of ventilation systems is required to ensure clean indoor air.

Keywords: building-related symptoms; chemical exposure; indoor air quality; social sustainability; volatile organic compounds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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