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Charles F. Sepsy
United Engineering Center New York

JAMA. 1981;246(2):124-125.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

A recent editorial by Peter A. Breysse, MS, MPH (1981; 245:267), calls for a "temporary halt to our home energy conservation programs until all aspects of 'building tightening' can be reviewed."

In asking the country to stop efforts to create "tight buildings," that is, structures that are all well sealed around the doors and windows, Mr Breysse has misunderstood the problem. Rather than blaming building tightness for indoor air pollution, we should blame ventilation systems that have not been properly designed, installed, or adjusted to meet occupants' needs.

Suitable mechanical ventilation systems are easy to install and relatively inexpensive to operate. Such systems—and hundreds and thousands of them are in use—supply an adequate volume of outdoor air to the occupants. They ensure that the right quantity of ventilating air is supplied, and they clean it with filters, reducing amounts of pollen, dust, and even Legionella before the . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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