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Exposure to air pollutants in English homes

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 14, pages S85–S94 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

BRE has conducted a national representative survey of air pollutants in 876 homes in England, designed to increase knowledge of baseline pollutant levels and factors associated with high concentrations. Homes were monitored for carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the majority of the homes, concentrations of the measured pollutants were low. However, some homes have concentrations that would suggest a need for precautionary mitigation. Those factors that are most likely to lead to exposures of concern in homes are identified as gas cooking (for CO and NO2), the use of unflued appliances for heating (for CO and NO2), emissions from materials in new homes (for total VOC (TVOC) and formaldehyde), and painting and decorating, with a significant increase in risk suspected to exist where there is not a place to store materials away from the living space (for TVOC). It is noteworthy that seasonal effects on CO and NO2 were largely due to indoor sources. This would need to be considered when interpreting time series studies of the effect of outdoor air pollution on health. It is also of some significance that the critical factors are related much more to sources than to ventilation: source control is therefore, as would be expected, the most appropriate approach to reducing the risk of hazardous exposure to air pollutants in homes.

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Acknowledgements

The work was commissioned and funded by the Chemicals and Biotechnology Division of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, now the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Palmes Tubes were analyzed by AEA Technology, Harwell, England. Advice on sampling methods for CO and NO2 was provided by Dr. David Ross of BRE. Dr. Jeff Llewellyn played a major role in managing the whole project and the authors are grateful for his support.

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  1. BRE, Watford, UK

    Gary J Raw, Sara K D Coward, Veronica M Brown & Derrick R Crump

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  1. Gary J Raw
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  2. Sara K D Coward
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  3. Veronica M Brown
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  4. Derrick R Crump
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Correspondence to Derrick R Crump.

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Raw, G., Coward, S., Brown, V. et al. Exposure to air pollutants in English homes. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 14 (Suppl 1), S85–S94 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500363

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