OBJECTIVES: TheObjectiveOf this paper is to provide informationOn indoor air quality andOn the qualityOf the broader indoor environmentOf the houses in Roma villages in Slovakia and Romania and to discuss possible implications for health. METHODS: Indoor air was sampled in 11 houses in a Romanian Roma village and in 19 houses in a Slovakian Roma village. LevelsOf carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), total particulate matter (PM), temperature and humidity were measured. A questionnaire and a checklist were used toObtain additional informationOn the indoor environment and behavioural factors. We have sampled the same houses in winter and in summer. RESULTS: LevelsOf CO and CO2 were higher in winter in both countries as compared to summer. The limit valueOf 10 mg/m3 CO was exceeded in a few cases in both countries. In general, levelsOf CO, CO2 and PM were higher in Romania. Further environmental and behavioural hazards such as indoor smoking, pets insideOr lackOf ventilation were found. The reported self-perceived qualityOf the indoor environment was poor in many aspects. CONCLUSIONS:Our findingsOf CO, CO2 and PM levels suggest that indoor air pollution in Roma settlements has the potential to be a health threat. The fact that the inhabitants spend a relatively long time inside the houses and that a numberOf additional environmental and behavioural hazards were identified byOur study emphasizes the importanceOf the indoor air quality for health and thus priority attention should be paid to these issues by health authorities and researchers. Further research is essential and study designs must consider cultural background and specific characteristicsOf the community, especially inOrder toObtain valid dataOn healthOutcomes.

Centre for Health Policy and Public Health Babes Bolyai University Cluj Napoca Romania

Department of Public Health Faculty of Health Care and Social Work Trnava University Trnava Slovakia

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