Health hazards

Citation

(1998), "Health hazards", Structural Survey, Vol. 16 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.1998.11016aae.003

Health hazards

Each issue of Structural Survey includes a selected listing or relevant books, articles, pamphlets and reports that have been received by the Building Research Establishment Library ­ which has one of the most complete collections on buildings and construction in the world.

This service is unique to Structural Survey and is provided by BRE with the kind permission of the director. It is stressed that neither the library nor MCB can provide copies of publications listed. Readers should contact their own library or one of the professional institutions which provide such a service. MCB does not guarantee availability of publications listed in this service, nor accuracy of references.

Health hazards

Ventilation of kitchens

Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), BSRIA Bibliography LB 65/94, 4th ed., LB 65/94, BSRIA, Bracknell, 1994, 10 pp.

Kitchens have particular requirements for ventilation due to heat given off from appliances high levels of humidity, and the presence of grease, fumes and odours. The health and comfort of the occupants must feature in the design and maintenance of a system. In simple installations natural ventilation using windows or doors may be sufficient. However, most installations will require some form of controlled ventilation giving many air changes per hour. Canopies and hoods positioned over cooking appliances are the main form of controlled ventilation and usually incorporate fire dampers and filters to trap grease. Many of the references listed in this bibliography discuss the design of these hoods as well as problems of humidity, fire prevention and heat recovery. (78 references) (Author abstract)

Remedial measures. Number 1: the sump

Cliff, K., Environmental Radon Newsletter, Autumn 1994, No.1, p.3 (supplement to Environmental Health, 1994, Vol. 102 No. 11)

Outlines the basic principles of using a sump to reduce radon levels in dwellings, and refers to the work of the Building Research Establishment as described in BRE Report 227.

Why evaporative coolers have not caused Legionnaires' disease

Puckorius, P.R., Thomas, P.T. and Augspurger, R.L., ASHRAE Journal, 1995, Vol. 37 No.1, pp. 29-33

Legionnaires' disease is contracted by inhaling an aerosol laden with sufficient Legionella bacteria into the lower respiratory system. Evaporative coolers do not provide suitable growth conditions, and generally do not release an aerosol. A good maintenance programme eliminates potential microbial problems and reduces the concern for disease transmission. (Author abstract)

Construction on contaminated land

Lewry, A.J., Paper given at the Conference on the Law, Policy and Planning Guidance relating to Contaminated Land presented by IBC Legal Studies and Services Ltd, London, 6-7 April 1995, Building Research Establishment (BRE) and IBC Legal Studies and Services Ltd, 20 pp.

It has been estimated that there are around 100,000 contaminated land sites available for development in the UK. There are several potential "targets" at risk from the effects of contaminants, and their effects must be assessed, in order to determine the economic life of any new buildings on the sites. Construction may take place as part of the remedial/development process or as a separate exercise after remediation has taken place. In both cases a wide range of materials and contaminants could be in contact. Factors which may affect material durability and the processes of degradation are dealt with in the form of a poster presentation. Basic methods of countering contaminant attack and sources of advice are given. (From author abstract)