Indoor air pollution and the health of vulnerable groups: a systematic review focused on particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their effects on children and people with pre-existing lung disease

Tun Maung, Jack Bishop, Eleanor Holt, Alice Turner, Christian Pfrang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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Abstract

Air pollution affects health, but much of the focus to this point has been on outdoor air. Higher indoor pollution is anticipated due to increasingly energy-efficient and less leaky buildings together with more indoor activities. Studies of indoor air pollution focusing on children and people with respiratory disease from the database Web of Science (1991–2021) were systemically reviewed according to the PRISMA guidelines, with 69 studies included in the final selection. Emissions from building materials affected indoor air quality, and ventilation also had an influence. The main indoor air pollutants are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Particulate Matter (PM). PM sources included smoking, cooking, heating, candles, and insecticides, whereas sources of coarse particles were pets, housework and human movements. VOC sources included household products, cleaning agents, glue, personal care products, building materials and vehicle emissions. Formaldehyde levels were particularly high in new houses. Personal exposure related to both indoor and outdoor pollutant levels, highlighting home characteristics and air exchange rates as important factors. Temperature, humidity, educational level, air purifiers and time near sources were also related to personal exposure. There was an association between PM and Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), lung function, oxygen saturation, childhood asthma and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. High VOCs were associated with upper airways and asthma symptoms and cancer. Effective interventional studies for PM in the future might focus on human behavior together with air purifiers and increased ventilation, whereas VOC interventions might center more on building materials and household products, alongside purification and ventilation.
Original languageEnglish
Article number8752
Number of pages24
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume19
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors are grateful for support from the Natural Environment Research Council, NERC, who funded the CleanAir4V project (grant number NE/V002414/1).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors.

Keywords

  • indoor air quality
  • vulnerable groups
  • PM
  • VOCs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • General Health Professions

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