New Directions for Education in Indoor Air Sciences: An Interdisciplinary and International Undertaking

Abstract

There are a number of actions that are taken to improve the environmental quality of living spaces; however, we still have unsatisfactory results. Education is an important component in the prevention and control of adverse health effects caused by indoor environmental exposures. Considering that many actions to improve the quality of indoor environments are dependent on those designing, operating and maintaining buildings, as well as on the occupants, the need for emphasis on education becomes evident. By providing appropriate education and training for professionals involved in the building and health sector and by raising public awareness, prevention of health effects associated with indoor environments becomes realistic. Moreover, it may offer a cost-effective way to reduce morbidity (e.g., pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila) and mortality (e.g., cancer caused by radon).