Networking human biomarker and hazardous chemical elements from building materials: Systematic literature review and in vivo test

Abstract

Healthy and comfortable indoor environment has attracted attentions by researchers as people spend majority of time inside enclosed spaces. Details regarding hazardous chemicals emanated from those are not systemically investigated and managed despite the significance of building materials that consists in indoor space. Furthermore, it is well known that specific materials are believed to have lessen or have negative health effect. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the health impact caused by building material and relative hazardous chemicals. In this study, analysis of literature and standards on hazardous chemicals within the field of indoor environment and related health outcomes that focuses on building materials was conducted. Moreover, preliminary in vivo test on small scale animals follows thereafter in order to prove the existence of link between biomarker and building materials e.g. dermatology. It was found that building materials had an impact on Atopic Dermatitis (AD) where 10% and 20% of diatomite board showed a positive impact compared to gypsum board, which showed a negative impact. The results were developed as a framework for networking building materials, relevant chemical elements and potential biomarker indicating positive or negative biological impact. Accumulated data on biomarker based on epidemiological surveillance and in vivo tests will contribute to building a repository to guide potential harmfulness and healing impact of building materials.