A study of building structural features associated with high indoor air concentrations of organochlorine termiticides

• Published in: Australian Journal of Public Health Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 237 - 240
• Main Authors: Pisaniello, Dino L., Gun, Richard T., Tkaczuk, Michael N., Hann, Christopher, Crea, Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier B.V 01.09.1993; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Air pollution; Air pollution measurements; Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Aldrin; Aldrin - analysis; Building inspection; Domestic architecture; Exposure; Facility Design and Construction; Flooring; Housing; HVAC; Indoor air pollution; Indoor air quality; Indoor environments; Insecticides; Inspection; Organic compounds; Pest control; Pesticides; Poisons; Pollution; Pollution control; Public health; Radon; Ratings & rankings; Soil treatment; Ventilation
• ISSN: 1326-0200; 1035-7319; 1753-6405
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1993.tb00142.x

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.