CMAJ • July 15, 2008; 179 (2). doi:10.1503/cmaj.070359.
© 2008 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
All editorial matter in CMAJ represents the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Public health

Quality of indoor residential air and health

Robert Dales, MD MSc(Epid), Ling Liu, MMD PhD, Amanda J. Wheeler, PhD and Nicolas L. Gilbert, MSc

From the University of Ottawa (Dales), the Air Quality Health Effects Research Section, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division (Dales, Liu); the Environmental Health Sciences Bureau (Liu), and the Air Health Effects Division, Water, Air and Climate Change Bureau (Wheeler, Gilbert), Health Canada, Ottawa, Ont.

Correspondence to: Dr. Robert Dales, Air Quality Health Effects Research Section, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division, Health Canada, 3rd Floor, PL 4903B or 4903C, 269 Laurier Ave. W, Ottawa ON K1A 0K9; R_Dales{at}hc-sc.gc.ca

About 90% of our time is spent indoors where we are exposed to chemical and biological contaminants and possibly to carcinogens. These agents may influence the risk of developing nonspecific respiratory and neurologic symptoms, allergies, asthma and lung cancer. We review the sources, health effects and control strategies for several of these agents. There are conflicting data about indoor allergens. Early exposure may increase or may decrease the risk of future sensitization. Reports of indoor moulds or dampness or both are consistently associated with increased respiratory symptoms but causality has not been established. After cigarette smoking, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and radon are the most common causes of lung cancer. Homeowners can improve the air quality in their homes, often with relatively simple measures, which should provide health benefits.


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Can. Med. Assoc. J. 2008 179: 113. [Full Text] [PDF]

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Can. Med. Assoc. J. 2008 179: 115. [Full Text] [PDF]