Impact of energy conservation in buildings on health

The levels of air contaminants inside buildings are often higher than outdoor ambient levels. Interest in conserving energy has been motivating home-owners and builders to reduce infiltration and ventilation in buildings. However, the resulting decrease of indoor/outdoor air exchange may increase the concentrations of many contaminants having indoor sources. Four indoor contaminants - carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves; formaldehyde from gas stoves, particleboard, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde foam insulation; and radon from various building materials - are currently receiving considerable attention in the context of the potential health risks associated with reduced infiltration and ventilation rates. It is likely that some increased health risk will accompany an increase in indoor-contaminant exposure; hence, it is desirable not to allow these concentrations to rise above human-tolerance levels. There are several possible ways of circumventing increased health risks without compromising energy-conservation considerations. 27 references.