Improving the health of workers in indoor environments: priority research needs for a national occupational research agenda

Am J Public Health. 2002 Sep;92(9):1430-40. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.9.1430.

Abstract

Indoor nonindustrial work environments were designated a priority research area through the nationwide stakeholder process that created the National Occupational Research Agenda. A multidisciplinary research team used member consensus and quantitative estimates, with extensive external review, to develop a specific research agenda. The team outlined the following priority research topics: building-influenced communicable respiratory infections, building-related asthma/allergic diseases, and nonspecific building-related symptoms; indoor environmental science; and methods for increasing implementation of healthful building practices. Available data suggest that improving building environments may result in health benefits for more than 15 million of the 89 million US indoor workers, with estimated economic benefits of $5 to $75 billion annually. Research on these topics, requiring new collaborations and resources, offers enormous potential health and economic returns.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects*
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / economics
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / adverse effects*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / economics
  • Cost of Illness
  • Efficiency
  • Employer Health Costs
  • Health Priorities*
  • Health Services Research*
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure / adverse effects
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.
  • Occupational Diseases / economics*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Occupational Exposure / economics
  • Occupational Health
  • Respiration Disorders / economics
  • Respiration Disorders / etiology
  • United States
  • Workplace

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational