Buildings, air quality and mental health conditions: a review of intervention studies

In high-income countries, people spend most time inside buildings, and the quality of the building including indoor air quality (e.g. particulate matter and gasses such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone) can contribute mental health conditions. Additionally, buildings are home. “Home” is associated with sense of security and belonging. However, there has been comparatively little research into the ways in which both, housing and indoor air quality, and feelings of security and belonging may contribute to mental health conditions. To provide 1) an update of relevant studies on housing and air quality and mental health conditions in urban men and women, with a special focus on intervention studies before and after retrofit of buildings and to 2) identify gaps in research. To respond to aim one Intervention studies before and after retrofit of buildings were reviewed. To respond to aim two qualitative studies on home and belonging were reviewed. Results suggests that pollutant concentrations and ventilation vary widely across buildings. After retrofit pollutant concentrations decreased significantly. Building characteristics, such as ventilation and pollution from combustion is related to mental health conditions. The negative impacts of low-quality housing, however, fall inequitably. Women and older persons who stay longer inside buildings in buildings are more exposed than those who stay less time inside buildings. The feeling of home and security have been neglected and may provide inside into effect moderation and modification of the association between buildings and mental health conditions. Housing is a critical social, and environmental determinant of health and mental health. Despite evidence on aspects of the overall effectiveness of improved housing this study adds to the identify gaps in research and calls for interdisciplinary research including Public Health, humanities and architecture.