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IOM and Indoor Air Quality

Scottish Centre for Indoor Air

In recent years, IOM has become very active in estimating exposure to particulates and chemicals in the home environment, and in developing methods for health impact assessment (HIA) of their effects. We helped formed the Scottish Centre for Indoor Air (SCIA), which is focussed on research on the potential health risks from indoor air pollution. Thisin collaboration with the University of Aberdeen, to focus on research on the potential health risks from indoor air pollution. This initiative builds upon many years of joint working on research into exposure to chemicals in indoor air in both domestic and occupational environments.

The SCIA involves a team of scientists from both institutions with expertise in exposure assessment, modelling, chemical analysis and evaluation of health outcomes. We have experience of working closely with policy makers and a broad spectrum of stake-holders with an interest in the effects of indoor air pollution. The SCIA has an active program of research currently focussed on secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in the workplace and within the home and car, and on the health effects of exposure to biomass fuel smoke in homes with poor ventilation. Contact Dr. Karen Galea (Associate Director of SCIA) for further information.

Secondhand smoke exposure

We have recently completed a number of projects aimed at assessing the impact of smokefree legislation in the UK. This includes a series of studies, in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen, to assess the impact of the smoking ban on the air quality and the health of bar workers and customers in pubs in Scotland, England and Wales. These projects, sponsored respectively by NHS Scotland, Department of Health in London and the Welsh Assembly Government, used similar methodologies involving: covert and overt PM2.5 monitoring; questionnaire surveys; salivary cotinine samples; lung function measurements, with our study findings being widely published.

We also recently conducted a study of SHS in homes in Northern Ireland for the NI Health Protection Authority, to determine if the ban on smoking in public and in workplaces led to a change in the exposure levels at home of non-smokers living with smokers. As well as measuring pollution levels in homes, this study included a questionnaire survey aimed at identifying changes in smoking behaviour and attitudes following the smokefree legislation.

Other indoor air pollutants

We are currently collaborating on a number of indoor air related projects which include: