Biocontaminants in Indoor Environments

Abstract

Biocontaminants is a broad term that encompasses a panorama of toxicants, microbes, and other pollutants of biological origin, including viruses, fungi, bacteria, algae, mites, insects, and pollen grains. Their origin can be traced through their sources that are highly diverse and comprise articles and materials in human vicinity such as home furnishings, air conditioners (ACs), humidifiers, kitchen surfaces, bathroom objects and surfaces, household pets, construction sites, building materials, dust particles, plants, and many more. Biocontaminants, being omnipresent, have a profound impact on the environment and human health as they cause several types of communicable or noncommunicable diseases and other ailments that compromise the quality of human life and in certain instances lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Indoor confinement of humans has not only increased the biocontaminants in the microenvironments but has also contributed to the enhanced burden of diseases. The chapter gives an overview of the occurrence and types of biocontaminants in various microenvironments, factors that are instrumental in their build-up, and conditions supporting their spread within and across various indoor microenvironments. The chapter also proposes various measures that would help restrict the spread and sustenance of biocontaminants and prevent related diseases in indoor occupants.