Indoor environment and cancer: materials specifications in building construction and cancer risk

Abstract

Exposure to environmental health hazards is a continuing threat to human health, particularly in developing countries. Though reduction of environmental health hazards is one of the eight aims of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG), this aim has not received the same level of support and attention as the others. Yet it is difficult to envisage how the MDG can be attained without it. It is imperative that every nation, especially developing ones pay more attention to environmental determinants of health and disease in order to improve the quality and quantity of life of their citizens.In this paper, I review some of the building materials specified by architects and other building professionals for the indoor environment (buildings) and their impact on diseases risk, in particular, the risk of cancer. I also discuss the role of building professionals in reducing risk of cancer from exposure to unhealthy indoor environments. Some of these building materials include asbestos roofing materials, lead water pipes, chemicals in paints and granite stones. It is the duty and responsibility of building professionals to become more aware of the health implications of the materials they specify for clients and ensure that these are materials that will not contribute to an increase in the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.