Open AccessA study of building structural features associated with high indoor air concentrations of organochlorine termiticides
Author(s) -
Pisaniello Dino L.,
Gun Richard T.,
Tkaczuk Michael N.,
Hann Christopher,
Crea Joseph
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
australian journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1035-7319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1993.tb00142.x
Subject(s) - aldrin , environmental science , ventilation (architecture) , checklist , contamination , pesticide , toxicology , environmental engineering , environmental health , geography , dieldrin , meteorology , medicine , geology , ecology , biology , paleontology
As part of a two‐year study of post‐treatment residential exposure to the termiticide, aldrin, the building structural features of ten houses with crawl‐space‐type floors were assessed by an independent inspector. Building attributes recorded on a checklist included the age of the dwelling, room characteristics, floor details and the nature of subfloor ventilation. At the end of each inspection, the inspector, who was blinded to data on airborne aldrin concentrations, provided a rating of expected indoor air contamination. Several of the building attributes, including the age of the house, the area of exterior subfloor vents, as well as the inspector's rating, were significantly correlated with airborne aldrin values. No single building variable, however, was highly correlated with every measure of aldrin concentration over a 12‐month period. The observed data are consistent with poor subfloor ventilation and a ‘leaky’ floor being important contributors to indoor air pollution. It is recommended that pest control companies advise householders about any obvious floor and ventilation deficiencies before soil treatment work is undertaken. Pesticide exposure (by analogy with geological radon exposure) may be reduced by sealing gaps in floors and/or by improving subfloor ventilation.