National Hospital Service for Environmental Medicine (SHNME)

The National Hospital Service for Environmental Medicine (SHNME), established on 17 November 2022 and located at the CHEM, aims to support the accurate diagnosis of patients with health problems caused or aggravated by environmental or occupational exposure.

After a medical prescription has been issued by the attending physician, a consultation with a specialist doctor from the National Hospital Service for Environmental Medicine will be scheduled at the CHEM in Niederkorn. If necessary, samples may be taken from the patient's home for biological analysis (mould), chemical analysis (presence of harmful chemicals in air or dust samples) or physical measurements (electromagnetic radiation). These environmental analyses, designed to detect risk factors linked to indoor pollutants, can assist the attending physician in their diagnosis, potentially enabling them to determine the causes of the symptoms.

• The file must include the patient's contact details so that they can be contacted directly by telephone or e-mail, as well as a brief description of their symptoms and any potential problems in their home.
• Sample collection and chemical and biological analyses are carried out in collaboration with the National Health Laboratory (LNS), which will contact the patient directly to arrange an appointment. The patient will receive all the necessary information prior to the visit to their home by the specialists.

Environmental factors and illnesses linked to indoor air quality

We spend more than 80 % of our time indoors. Indoor air quality is influenced by several factors – such as ambient air pollution, construction materials, furnishings, decoration, cleaning products, moisture, and occupants' activities – which can lead to the accumulation of potentially harmful chemicals in the home. The accumulation in the air of chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – e.g. formaldehyde – or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) – such as flame retardants, plasticisers or pesticides – can affect occupants' health and well-being. The symptoms observed include the appearance or aggravation of allergic or respiratory pathologies, such as asthma, rhinitis or, in general, 'sick building syndrome' (fatigue, irritation of the mucosa, headaches, respiratory problems, etc.).

Besides managing the sources of emission of harmful substances in homes, ventilating rooms and effective mechanical ventilation systems can improve indoor air quality considerably.

Special attention should be paid to pregnant women's, infants' and young children's exposure to these substances, in order to protect them as effectively as possible against long-term health risks.