Author:
Janis P. White, M.D.
June 21, 2011
In a soon to be released book, Climate Change, the Indoor Environment and Health, the Institute of Medicine cautions of risks associated with companies and individuals going green without adequate information. They accept the theory of climate change and support the need for ecological awareness but highlight five areas where caution is appropriate:
1. Health risks of increased exposure to indoor pollutants.
2. Health effects of indoor dampness including mold and degradation of building materials.
3. Effect of climate change on indoor infectious agents, insects and arthropods.
4. Factors that influence vulnerability to prolonged exposure to temperature and humidity extremes and resources to mitigate them.
5. Effects on human health from building energy use, exposure to building material emissions, weatherization and ventilation.
A free prepublication draft of the book and access to order a copy of the book at publication can be found at the National Acadamies Press website www.nap.edu.