Relevance of indoor air pollutants - Significance of odors

Since years the incidence of adverse health outcomes in indoor environments is still increasing. The reported health outcomes comprise a broad spectrum including irritation of eyes, airways and skin as well as neurological and constitutional symptoms. Common to the reported symptoms is the non specific genesis. The affected individuals suppose usually an indoor air pollution as the cause for their illness. Research has focused mainly on volatile organic hydrocarbon compounds (VOC) and moulds and their metabolites. However, a causal relationship was not found yet. Additionally some open questions remain. Why get individuals sick although concentrations of VOC or moulds or their metabolites are usually at the background level? Why dot all exposed individuals get sick and complain about the same symptoms? Why complain more women than men? Why get individuals sick in cases of hidden mould and no direct exposure exists? A common feature of complaints about indoor air pollution is the report of unpleasant odors. According to the actual know ledge it is unlikely that odors in indoor environments themselves elicit illness in the sense of toxicological or physiological effect. Due to some specific features odors have a direct access to the centers of emotions like anxiety. Unpleasant odors are usually taken as evidence for air pollution and can stimulate worry and anxiety to get sick. Via this route unpleasant odors can induce stress reactions which are to a large part identical with those reported for indoor environments. The perception of odors offers also answers to the mentioned open questions. The way how the indoor air pollution is covered by the mass media can contribute to the increasing incidence of adverse health outcomes in indoor environments.