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How do the microbiomes of the different indoor environments in which humans spend time for working, living, learning, and playing impact human health and well-being? What building conditions support microbial communities that benefit or harm human health and well-being? If most microorganisms do not infect humans, do those that thrive in indoor environments influence human health for good or bad, and if so, by what mechanisms? These questions are among those that motivate the study of microbiomes of the built environment. This chapter begins by laying the groundwork for understanding how microorganisms found in buildings may influence health. The chapter then addresses, in turn, infection transmission in indoor environments, noninfectious health outcomes associated with indoor microorganisms, and potential benefits of microbial exposures. The chapter concludes with summary observations and a discussion of knowledge gaps in the area of health impacts of built environment microbial exposures.
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