Vinnustaðir og rakaskemmdir
II. KAFLI
Vinnurými.
3. gr. Almenn ákvæði.
1. Húsnæði vinnustaða skal innrétta þannig að þar sé sem öruggast og heilsusamlegast starfsumhverfi
3. gr Orðskýringar
[ Mengun er] 3) þegar örverur, efni og efnasambönd og eðlisfræðilegir þættir valda óæskilegum og skaðlegum áhrifum á heilsufar almennings, röskun lífríkis eða óhreinkun lofts, láðs eða lagar. Mengun tekur einnig til ólyktar, hávaða, titrings, geislunar og varmaflæðis og ýmissa óæskilegra eðlisfræðilegra þátta.
IV. KAFLI
Almennt um húsnæði og lóðir.
Húsnæði og lóðir.
14. gr.
Húsnæði skal vera þannig gert og viðhaldið, umgengið og þrifið að þeir sem þar dveljast, starfa, eða nálægir íbúar, hljóti ekki heilsutjón eða óþægindi af
Gæði húsnæðis og umhirða.
16. gr.
Almenningur getur leitað til heilbrigðisnefndar ef leiguhúsnæði og annað íbúðarhúsnæði er ekki talið fullnægjandi m.t.t. hollustuhátta eða ef húsnæði er álitið heilsuspillandi.
Byggingar og mannvirki skulu hönnuð, byggð og viðhaldið þannig að heilsu manna sé ekki stefnt í hættu, m.a. vegna hita og raka, hávaða, fráveitu skólps, reyks, fasts eða fljótandi úrgangs, mengunar í lofti, jarðvegi, vatni, gasleka eða geislunar. Byggingarefni mega ekki vera skaðleg eða gefa frá sér skaðleg efni eða gufur.
Íbúðarhúsnæði.
24. gr.
Óheimilt er að leigja út íbúðarhúsnæði eða íbúðarherbergi nema húsnæðið hafi hlotið samþykki byggingarnefndar. Ekki má leigja út íbúðarhúsnæði eða íbúðarherbergi ef heilsu manna er stefnt í hættu, m.a. vegna hita og raka, hávaða, fráveitu skólps, meindýra, reyks, fasts eða fljótandi úrgangs, mengunar í lofti, jarðvegi eða vatni, gasleka eða geislunar.
Heilbrigðisnefnd getur bannað afnot íbúðarhúsnæðis ef hún telur húsnæðið hættulegt heilsu íbúanna. Þar skal sérstaklega tekið tillit til velferðar barna, sjúklinga og aldraðra.
Mold can cause many health effects. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may get infections in their lungs from mold.
5. Evaluation of human health risks and guidelines
5.1 Summary
Sufficient epidemiological evidence is available from studies conducted in different countries and under different climatic conditions to show that the occupants of damp or mouldy buildings, both houses and public buildings, are at increased risk of respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections and exacerbation of asthma. Some evidence suggests increased risks of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Although few intervention studies are available, their results show that remediation of dampness problems can reduce adverse health outcomes. There is clinical evidence that exposure to mould and other dampness-related microbial agents increases the risks of rare conditions, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic alveolitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic fungal sinusitis. Toxicological evidence obtained in vivo and in vitro supports these findings, showing the occurrence of diverse inflammatory and toxic responses after exposure to microorganisms – including their spores, metabolites and components – isolated from damp buildings. While groups such as atopic and allergic people are particularly susceptible to biological and chemical agents in damp indoor environments, adverse health effects have also been found in nonatopic populations. The increasing prevalences of asthma and allergies in many countries increase the number of people susceptible to the effects of dampness and mould in buildings.
Persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures should be avoided or minimized, as they may lead to adverse health effects. Indicators of dampness and microbial growth include the presence of condensation on surfaces or in structures, visible mould, perceived mould odour and a history of water damage, leakage or penetration. Thorough inspection and, if necessary, appropriate measurements can be used to confirm indoor moisture and microbial growth. As the relationships between dampness, microbial exposure and health effects cannot be quantified precisely, no quantitative, health-based guideline values or thresholds can be recommended for acceptable levels of contamination by microorganisms. Instead, it is recommended that dampness and mould-related problems be prevented. When they occur, they should be remediated because they increase the risk of hazardous exposure to microbes and chemicals. Well-designed, well-constructed, well-maintained building envelopes are critical to the prevention and control of excess moisture and microbial growth, as they prevent thermal bridges and the entry of liquid or vapour-phase water. Management of moisture requires proper control of temperature and ventilation to avoid excess humidity, condensation on surfaces and excess moisture. Ventilation should be distributed effectively throughout spaces, and stagnant air zones should be avoided.
Building owners are responsible for providing a healthy workplace or living environment that is free of excess moisture and mould, by ensuring proper building construction and maintenance. The occupants are responsible for managing the use of water, heating, ventilation and appliances in a manner that does not lead to dampness and mould growth (bls 95).
11 Regulations
TEK sets the following general requirements in connection with molds indoors: "Building parts and structures must be designed in such a way that precipitation, surface water, groundwater, domestic water and humidity cannot penetrate and cause moisture damage, mold, fungal growth or other hygienic problems". Regulations on environmental health care in kindergartens and schools, etc. state that: "The business must have a satisfactory indoor climate, including air quality. The relative humidity in the rooms must be at such a level that there is no danger of mold formation." Regulations on protection against biological factors set requirements to protect workers from the dangers of exposure to biological factors in the working environment, including from microorganisms such as molds.
Health Canada considers indoor mould growth to be a significant health hazard. The word mould is a common term referring to fungi that can grow on building materials in homes or other buildings. Damp conditions and mould growth in homes increases the risk of respiratory allergy symptoms and exacerbate asthma in mold-sensitive individuals. It is important to know how to identify, address and prevent moisture and mould in your home.