Early symptoms individuals have experienced linked to poor indoor air quality

Abstract

In Finland, the effects of poor indoor air quality, such as moisture and mould damage in buildings, has been a very popular topic for the past few years. Moisture and mould damage has been associated and linked to many different health problems. The pur- pose of this thesis was to examine the early symptoms individuals have experienced linked to poor indoor air quality. The aim of this thesis was to encourage early interven- tion as soon as symptoms caused by poor indoor air quality are first noticed.

The data collection method for this thesis was an open ended questionnaire.

Members of the HomeSweetHome Facebook group had the option to respond to two questions anonymously. The total of 42 answers were analysed inductively. The re- sults were then categorised according to the symptoms the participants had experi- enced: respiratory, neurological, allergic, and other.

The results of the second question showed the majority of participants did not recog- nise poor indoor air quality for being a cause of their symptoms in the beginning. These results can be used for healthcare professionals and students for educational pur- poses.

The topic of indoor air pollution should be researched further in the future. It is difficult for health care professionals to guide or help patients who have had symptoms linked to poor indoor air quality if they are not familiar with possible symptoms. More scientific research on this topic would provide greater awareness on the issue for healthcare professionals and for the general public.