Indoor Air Quality and Biological Factors in Working Environment

The course will provide fundamental insights into factors affecting the indoor environment in both the home and workplace. Further, where a basic understanding of exposure conditions related to biological factors in the workplace in general. The indoor classes will focus on the connection between health and indoor environment and factors affecting this, including air pollutions in the indoor environment as gases, vapors, small and large particles, ultra-small particles such as nanoparticles, materials and ventilations. Thermal conditions, moisture, fungi and other microbial contaminants will also be included as a central theme here. Identification and assessment of the indoor environment is another important element. Requirement specifications in connection with new buildings, such as conditions in connection with new low-energy buildings and the consequences of indoor environment conditions will be discussed. Within the topic of biological factors work will focus on the biological factors / agents that can be subjected to in the work environment, the instance of these industries and the health effects these biological agents may have. Mapping of biological agents and methods for evaluation of measurement results will be part of this and preventive measures that will reduce exposure becomes discussed.

Course location and function of the course: The course is advanced course for those who choose the specialization occupational hygiene for students on study programs MHMS and MIHMS. Otherwise, open to students who have followed TIØ4186 Occupational Health and Safety after application to the teacher.

The course will provide knowledge about the following:
- General knowledge of the biological environment factors
- Specific knowledge of exposure to microorganisms and toxins, with emphasis on industrial processes and work environments that are relevant in today's enterprises
- Specific knowledge of health effects related to exposure to biological agents in the work environment
- General knowledge of surveying of biological environmental factors.
- Specific knowledge of the field of indoor air quality with an overview of commonly occurring problems according to the indoor environment, including pollution in the environment (gases, particles, micro-biological pollution) and thermal conditions, as well as the discomfort caused by such problems.
- Specific knowledge of the surveying and assessment of indoor environment and the factors that are particularly characteristic of indoor air quality
- General knowledge of the moisture problems associated with indoor air quality, what problems this may cause and what should be done to prevent this - including an understanding of whether the measurement of fungi as a moisture indicator in an actual situation is appropriate or not.
- Specific knowledge of assessment of survey results, including knowledge of current legislation nationally and internationally both as regards biological conditions and indoor climate.
- General knowledge of preventive measures related to exposure to both biological agents and indoor air quality.

Course will provide students with skills to:
- Assess and analyze both indoor climate conditions as the biological environment in companies and identify actions that will reduce such health risks

Other important learning goals:
- general knowledge about the relationship between the construction of buildings and the resulting indoor climate and the issues that must be taken into account in particular the construction of buildings that make a good indoor climate
- Students will, through a larger work, get training in analyzing the the level of occupational hygiene in companies, and learn to lead written arguments about professional challenges

Seminars, lectures and compulsory term paper. Portfolio assessment provides a basis for the final grade. The portfolio includes 40% term paper and final written exam 60%. The results for the parts are given in points, and the entire portfolio (final grade) is assigned a letter grade. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.