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Microbial Colonization of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HAVC) Systems and Indoor Air Quality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

R.B. Simmons
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Center, Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
S.A. Crow
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Center, Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
D.G. Ahearn
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Center, Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
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Abstract

The rapid rise of energy costs in the 1970's and early 1980's brought about a number of energy conservation measures which are still in use today. Changes made in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems increased the recirculation of conditioned air within buildings, while leakage of air through the building shell was sharply reduced. Air movement in modern buildings is typically under the control of centrally operated HVAC systems which do not allow for local control of airflow in particular areas by the occupants. Problems with the quality of indoor air in the work environment have resulted from some of these measures and collectively many of these phenomena have been referred to as the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS is a complex of symptoms, including eye and mucous membrane irritation, headache, cough, dizziness, chest tightening, fatigue and general malaise, which occur more frequently than would normally be expected (greater than 20%) among the occupants of a building.

Type
Forensics and Environmental Issues (Organized by J. Woodward and P. Crozier)
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2001

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