Environmental health perspectives in Central China

Abstract

Welcome to this Special Issue of Indoor and Built Environment. This issue provides the environmental health perspectives of air pollution control in Central China and looks into research development regarding the dispersion of pollutants, control of indoor moisture thus reducing microbial proliferation whilst enhancing thermal insulation properties of walling materials, personal ventilation and sleep quality; it also surveys the increasing prevalence of childhood respiratory and allergy diseases such as asthma and pneumonia in children in association with the ambient air pollution and indoor environment, particularly with the use of airconditioning/humidifier equipment and in relation with building characteristics of typical Chinese homes in Central China such as in Shanghai, Nanjing, Chongqing, Wuhan and Changsha where there has been a steady rise in prosperous growth in average household income, commercial goods and in industrial production which has improved the life style for many Chinese families. However, the environmental cost in relation to adverse health effects particularly of children should be evaluated, so that appropriate remediation technologies and regulatory standard can be effectively implemented to reduce environmental deterioration particularly for housing and urban developments. Environmental health is now an important government policy in China, to improve the environmental quality for the Chinese citizen which has become imperative especially considering the environmental pollution that has been prevalent in almost all Chinese cities in recent years. Outdoor air pollution is one of China’s most serious environmental problems. Burning of coal is the major source of energy in China, contributing to about 75% of all energy consumption for industrial processes, domestic and commercial heating and cooking. Consequently, coal smoke with suspended particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) are the major air pollutants in ambient environment. The increasing rise in the usage of motor vehicles in many Chinese cities has also contributed to the air pollution cocktail mixture in ambient air, with inhalable particular matters (PM10, PM2.5), SO2, and NOx being the critical pollutants of concern and these are now prominently featured for air quality standard regulation in China. Also, as the average household income is better off for many families, there is an increasing demand for western consumer’s goods and better furnishing and fitting of their home interior and increasingly many types of indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typically found in western countries in relation to the use of composite wood-based products, adhesives, sealants and various types of coatings and vinyl floorings are found in high concentrations in these Chinese homes. The emissions of VOCs and formaldehyde could cause adverse health effects to occupants and there are requirements in the Chinese standard for certificating the emissions from building products and indoor air concentrations in newly built housings. There has been a steady political pressure for development of air-tight and energy-efficient buildings to commensurate with demand for growth of sustainable development of green buildings. Chinese standard maker are facing the dilemma of having requirement for reducing indoor air pollution and maintaining the comfort factor of buildings, whilst demanding higher energy efficiency standard. Central China (Yangtze valley Region) has a dense population and is an important economic development region of China where there has been a rapid growth in urban and industrial development. The economic growth in the region has been accompanied by a huge concomitant widespread growth in residential construction in the past 10 years. The region is situated within the hot summer and cold winter zone in China; characterized by the wet cold winters, very hot and humid summers. The temperature difference between day and night is normally small, with a minor daily temperature range. The housings in the region of Central China would experience a high level of humidity, particularly