Although it is recognized that ozone causes acute and chronic health effects and that even trace amounts of ozone are potentially deleterious to human health, information about global and local exposures to ozone in different indoor environments is limited. To synthesize the existing knowledge, this review analyzes the magnitude of and the trends in global and local exposure to ozone in schools and offices and the factors controlling the exposures. In conducting the literature review, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched using 38 search terms and their combinations to identify manuscripts, reports, and directives published between 1973 and 2018. The search was then extended to the reference lists of relevant articles. The calculated median concentration of ozone both in school (8.50 μg/m3) and office (9.04 μg/m3) settings was well below the WHO guideline value of 100 μg/m3 as a maximum 8 h mean concentration. However, a large range of average concentrations of ozone was reported, from 0.8-114 μg/m3 and from 0 to 96.8 μg/m3 for school and office environments, respectively, indicating situations where the WHO values are exceeded. Outdoor ozone penetrating into the indoor environment is the main source of indoor ozone, with median I/O ratios of 0.21 and 0.29 in school and office environments, respectively. The absence of major indoor ozone sources and ozone sinks, including gas-phase reactions and deposition, are the reasons for lower indoor than outdoor ozone concentrations. However, there are indoor sources of ozone that are of significance in certain indoor environments, including printers, photocopiers, and many other devices and appliances designed for indoor use (e.g., air cleaners), that release ozone either intentionally or unintentionally. Due to significantly elevated outdoor ozone concentrations during summer, summer indoor concentrations are typically elevated. In addition, the age of a building and various housing aspects (carpeting, air conditioning, window fans, and window openings) have been significantly associated with indoor ozone levels. The existing means for reducing ozone and ozone reaction products in school and office settings are as follows: 1) reduce penetration of outdoor ozone indoors by filtering ozone from the supply air; 2) limit the use of printers, photocopiers, and other devices and appliances that emit ozone indoors; 3) limit gas-phase reactions by limiting the use of materials and products (e.g. cleaning chemicals) the emissions of which react with ozone.

Although nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the most common air pollutants encountered indoors, and extensive literature has examined the link between NO2 exposure and duration causing adverse respiratory effects in susceptible populations, information about global and local exposure to NO2 in different indoor environments is limited. To synthesize the existing knowledge, this review analyzes the magnitude of and the trends in global and local exposure to NO2 in schools and offices, and the factors that control exposure. For the literature review, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched using 42 search terms and their combinations to identify manuscripts, reports, and directives published between 1971 and 2019. The search was then extended to the reference lists of relevant articles. The calculated median, as well as the mean, concentration of NO2 in school (median 21.1 μg/m3; mean 29.4 μg/m3) and office settings (median 22.7 μg/m3; mean 25.1 μg/m3) was well below the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 40 μg/m3 for the annual mean NO2 concentration. However, a large range of average concentrations of NO2 were reported, from 6.00 to 68.5 μg/m3 and from 3.40 to 56.5 μg/m3 for school and office environments, respectively, indicating situations where the WHO guidelines are exceeded. Outdoor levels of NO2 are a reliable predictor of indoor NO2 levels across seasons, with mean and median Indoor/Outdoor (I/O) ratios of 0.9 and 0.7 in school and 0.9 and 0.8 in office environments, respectively. The absence of major indoor NO2 emission sources and NO2 sinks, including chemical reactions and deposition, are the reasons for lower indoor NO2 concentrations. During the winter, outdoor NO2 concentrations are generally higher than during the summer. In addition, various building and indoor environment characteristics, such as type of ventilation, air exchange rates, airtightness of the envelope, furnishing and surface characteristics of the building, location of the building (urban versus suburban and proximity to traffic routes), as well as occupants' behavior (such as opening windows), have been statistically significantly associated with indoor NO2 levels in school and office environments. Indoor exposure to NO2 from the infiltration of ambient air can be significant in urban areas, and in the case of high traffic volume. Although reducing transportation emissions is challenging, there are several easier means to reduce indoor NO2 concentrations, including a ventilation strategy with suitable filters; location planning of new schools, classrooms, and ventilating windows or intakes; traffic planning (location and density); and reducing the use of NO2-releasing indoor sources.

Understanding the physical characteristics of the indoor environment that affect human health and wellbeing is the key requirement underpinning the beneficial design of a healthcare facility (HCF). We reviewed and summarized physical factors of the indoor environment reported to affect human health and wellbeing in HCFs. Altogether, 214 publications were selected for this review. According to the literature, there is strong scientific evidence to show that following indoor environmental factors have beneficial effects for all user groups when appropriately designed or implemented: the acoustic environment, ventilation and air conditioning systems, the thermal environment, the visual environment (e.g. lighting, and views of nature), ergonomic conditions and furniture. In contrast, the effect of special layouts and room type and floor coverings may be beneficial for one group and detrimental for another. Some of the physical factors may, in themselves, directly promote or hinder health and wellbeing, but the factors can also have numerous indirect impacts by influencing the behaviour, actions and interactions of patients, their families and the staff members. The findings of this research enable a good understanding of the different physical factors of the indoor environment on health and wellbeing and provide a practical resource for those responsible for the design and operation of the facilities as well as researchers investigating these factors. However, more studies are needed in order to inform the design of optimally beneficial indoor environments in HCFs for all user groups.

This study examined the structural diversity and bioactivity of peptaibol compounds produced by species from the phylogenetically separated Longibrachiatum Clade of the filamentous fungal genus Trichoderma, which contains several biotechnologically, agriculturally and clinically important species. HPLC-ESI-MS investigations of crude extracts from 17 species of the Longibrachiatum Clade (T. aethiopicum, T. andinense, T. capillare, T. citrinoviride, T. effusum, T. flagellatum, T. ghanense, T. konilangbra, T. longibrachiatum, T. novae-zelandiae, T. pinnatum, T. parareesei, T. pseudokoningii, T. reesei, T. saturnisporum, T. sinensis, and T. orientale) revealed several new and recurrent 20-residue peptaibols related to trichobrachins, paracelsins, suzukacillins, saturnisporins, trichoaureocins, trichocellins, longibrachins, hyporientalins, trichokonins, trilongins, metanicins, trichosporins, gliodeliquescins, alamethicins and hypophellins, as well as eight 19-residue sequences from a new subfamily of peptaibols named brevicelsins. Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase genes were mined from the available genome sequences of the Longibrachiatum Clade. Their annotation and product prediction were performed in silico and revealed full agreement in 11 out of 20 positions regarding the amino acids predicted based on the signature sequences and the detected amino acids incorporated. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed for structural characterization of four selected peptaibol sequences: paracelsins B, H and their 19-residue counterparts brevicelsins I and IV. Loss of position R6 in brevicelsins resulted in smaller helical structures with higher atomic fluctuation for every residue than the structures formed by paracelsins. We observed the formation of highly bent, almost hairpin-like, helical structures throughout the trajectory, along with linear conformation. Bioactivity tests were performed on the purified peptaibol extract of T. reesei on clinically and phytopathologically important filamentous fungi, mammalian cells, and Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Porcine kidney cells and boar spermatozoa proved to be sensitive to the purified peptaibol extract. Peptaibol concentrations ≥0.3 mg ml⁻¹ deterred the growth of A. thaliana. However, negative effects to plants were not detected at concentrations below 0.1 mg ml⁻¹, which could still inhibit plant pathogenic filamentous fungi, suggesting that those peptaibols reported here may have applications for plant protection.

A database of indoor air concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (n = 528), formaldehyde (n = 76), and ammonia (n = 47) in office environments was analyzed to suggest interpretation guidelines for chemical measurements in office buildings with suspected indoor air problems. Indoor air samples were collected for VOCs from 176 office buildings, 23 offices for formaldehyde, and 14 office buildings for ammonia in 2001–2006. Although the buildings had reported indoor air complaints, a walk-through inspection by indoor air specialists showed no exceptional sources of indoor air pollutants. The measurements of chemical pollutants did not indicate any clear reason for the complaints. The geometric mean concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) was 88 μg m−³ in office rooms and 75 μg m−³ in the open plan offices. The mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation significantly (p < 0.004) decreased the indoor air concentration of TVOC. The highest mean concentration and frequency distributions were determined for the individual VOCs. The most common VOCs found in ⩾ 84% of the indoor samples include toluene, xylene (p,m), 1-butanol, nonanal, and benzene. According to concentrations, the most abundant VOCs were 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, acetic acid, 1,2-propanediol, and toluene. The geometric mean concentration of formaldehyde and ammonia in the office buildings was 11 μg m−³ (3–44 μg m−³ and 14 μg m−³ (1–49 μg m−³, respectively. On the basis of statistical analyses, the guideline value indicating a usual concentration of the pollutant in office buildings is 70 μg m−³ for TVOC, 7 μg m−³ for most individual VOCs, 10 μg m−³ for formaldehyde, and 12 μg m−³ for ammonia… The guidance value suggested for TVOC is 250 μg m⁻³, for formaldehyde 15 μg m−³, and for ammonia 25 μg m−³. If the guidance value is exceeded, this may indicate the existence of an exceptional source and the need for additional environmental investigations. The levels should not be used for the evaluation of health risks. The guideline values are applicable in a subarctic climate for modern, urban office buildings.

The aim of this review was to investigate human exposure to relevant indoor air contaminants, predictors affecting the levels, and the means to reduce the harmful exposure in indoor sports facilities. Our study revealed that the contaminants of primary concern are the following: particulate matter in indoor climbing‐, golf‐, and horse riding facilities; carbon dioxide and particulate matter in fitness centers, gymnasiums and sports halls; Staphylococci on gymnasium surfaces; nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide in ice hockey arenas; carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide(s), and particulate matter in motor sports arenas; and disinfection byproducts, in indoor chlorinated swimming pools. Means to reduce human exposure to indoor contaminants include the following: adequate mechanical ventilation with filters, suitable cleaning practices, a limited number of occupants in fitness centers and gymnasiums, the use of electric resurfacers instead of the engine powered resurfacers in ice hockey arenas, carefully regulated chlorine and temperature levels in indoor swimming pools, properly ventilated pools, and good personal hygiene. Because of the large number of susceptible people in these facilities, as well as all active people having an increased respiratory rate and airflow velocity, strict air quality requirements in indoor sports facilities should be maintained.