INDOOR AIR-POLLUTION - ACUTE ADVERSE HEALTH-EFFECTS AND HOST SUSCEPTIBILITY

Increased awareness of the poor quality of indoor air compared with ou tdoor air has resulted in a significant amount of research on the adve rse health effects and mechanisms of action of indoor air pollutants. Common indoor air agents are identified, along with resultant adverse health effects, mechanisms of action, and likely susceptible populatio ns. Indoor air pollutants range from biological agents (such as dust m ites) to chemical irritants (such as nitrogen dioxide). These agents m ay exert their effects through allergic as well as nonallergic mechani sms. While the public does not generally perceive poor indoor air qual ity as a significant health risk, increasing reports of illness relate d to indoor air and an expanding base of knowledge on the health effec ts of indoor air pollution are likely to continue pushing the issue to the forefront.