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Formulation and Validation of an Empirical Moisture Damage Index

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Abstract

An empirical moisture damage index was developed in order to reduce the subjectivity of the estimation of moisture damage in domestic residences, in relation to occupant health. The database was generated using information gathered from a sample of 164 houses that were examined by civil engineers, and questionnaire data collected from the occupants. The index was formulated to associate with the occupant reported respiratory symptoms by calculating weighted estimates of selected moisture damage attributes using 80% of the sample. The remaining 20% of the sample was used to verify the final index. The index associated strongly with the health symptoms of interest. This index is a tool that may be used as an indicator of moisture damage induced exposure in domestic residences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Unit of Epidemiology, National Public Health Institute, POB 95, FIN-70701, Kuopio, Finland

    Ulla Haverinen, Mikko Vahteristo, Juha Pekkanen, Tuula Husman & Aino Nevalainen

  2. Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 10 West 33rd Street, Perlstein Hall, Room 127, Chicago, Illinois, 60616-3793, USA

    Demetrios Moschandreas

Authors
  1. Ulla Haverinen
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  2. Mikko Vahteristo
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  3. Juha Pekkanen
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  4. Tuula Husman
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  5. Aino Nevalainen
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  6. Demetrios Moschandreas
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Correspondence to Ulla Haverinen.

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Haverinen, U., Vahteristo, M., Pekkanen, J. et al. Formulation and Validation of an Empirical Moisture Damage Index. Environmental Modeling & Assessment 8, 303–309 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ENMO.0000004583.93890.86

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ENMO.0000004583.93890.86

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