Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Exposure Assessment of Biological Agents in Indoor Environments

실내환경에서 생물학적 인자에 대한 노출평가

  • Park, Ju-Hyeong (Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
  • 박주형 (직업안전보건 연구원, 호흡계 질병과)
  • Received : 2009.07.08
  • Accepted : 2009.08.13
  • Published : 2009.08.30
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Abstract

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science in the United States concluded in its 2004 report that excessive indoor dampness is a public health hazard and that its prevention should be a public health goal. Water damage in buildings, such as leaks from roofs, walls, or windows, may increase indoor moisture levels. Excessive dampness may promote microbial proliferation in indoor environments, increase occupants' exposure to microbial agents, and eventually produce adverse health effects in building occupants. Epidemiological studies to demonstrate the causal association between exposure to indoor microbial agents and health effects require reliable exposure assessment tools. In this review, I discuss various sampling and analytical methods to assess human exposure to biological agents in indoor environments, their strengths and weaknesses, and recent trends in research and practice in the USA.

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