… can lead to respiratory or skin diseases Source: godfer / Fotolia.com Allergies are the undesired and sometimes violent defensive reactions of the human (or animal) immune system to substances in the environment (allergens). last …

… Human biomonitoring Human biomonitoring makes it possible to determine levels of contamination in individuals. Source: intheskies / Fotolia.com Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a tool of health-related …

… Environmental impacts affect our health. Source: Thomas Brugger / Fotolia.com The environmental medicine discipline aims to prevent the occurrence of environmental complaints and diseases in people. The cause of … environmental influences. Whereas a pristine environment has a positive effect on human health, adverse environmental conditions or an environment perceived as …

… be reduced? last update on 19.03.2018 What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)? The abbreviation VOC stands for the group of volatile organic compounds. VOCs … and hobby products, as well as tobacco smoke, and even food preparation and human metabolic processes. In comparison to the sources of VOCs in atmospheric air, … help should be sought to determine whether or how the VOC sources are to be removed, contained, or treated. As a general principle it is always a good idea to …

… Data for health-related exposure assessment Exposure assessment calculates the health impact of harmful substances. Source: K.-T. Trampe-Hauff / Umweltbundesamt last update on 06.11.2014 The German Exposure Factors Database – RefXP The Federal Environment Agency provides … German   Xprob reviewed and assessed available data on various factors influencing human exposure to environmental and other stressors, with the aim of consistently …

… Endocrine disruptors Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with the hormonal system. Source: Franz_Pfluegl / Fotolia.com last update on 11.05.2017 … ability to reproduce successfully is reduced. Results of animal experiments and human health monitoring programmes indicate that this reduction may be caused at … these chemicals to be used only for those purposes that do not create a risks for humans and the environment. The new plant protection regulation of the EU will …

… in building products Some substances in building materials may be harmful to the environment and health. Source: Udo Kroener / Fotolia.com Building products … They include organic or inorganic substances which may harm the environment or human health. last update on 02.08.2022 Volatile organic compounds (VOC) Composite … currently lacking as to the impact of these substances should they be absorbed by humans, in low concentrations but over longer periods of time.  Adverse effects can …

… out on populations in real-life situations. Source: 4designersart / Fotolia.com The function of epidemiology is to investigate the frequency of occurrence of diseases, health problems, or other health-related … in real-life situations. Problems of transfer of results from animals to humans or from selected volunteers to the total population or to particular groups …

… Health-related exposure assessment Exposure - pathes of environmental impact Source: Umweltbundesamt People are exposed to a wide … stressors may cause acute or chronic health effects. last update on 19.03.2018 Human exposure Exposure is defined as contact of an organism with chemical, …

… Indoor air hygiene The indoor air quality influences our health. Source: Bernd Kreuscher / UBA People in developed countries spend the majority of their lives indoors, on average about two thirds in their home. However, the quality of indoor air is not always beneficial to human health. last update on 07.11.2017 Indoor air pollutants are produced by man …

… Mould Inhalation of large amounts of mould spores can influence human health Source: Regine Szewzyk / Umweltbundesamt Mould is a fungus which … and spores. Mould needs lots of moisture to grow. last update on 16.09.2013 Further information: The causes of higher dampness inside buildings might include: … of mould infestation. As a rule: cold air transported inside by ventilation can remove more humidity from a room in the winter than in the summer. The German Federal …