A cross sectional survey investigating building sickness was carried out in two buildings with similar populations of office workers but differing ventilation systems, one being fully air conditioned with humidification and the other naturally ventilated.
This is a review paper addressing the current state-of-the-art. Concerns that motivate studies of the indoor environment are reviewed in the introduction. The source and typical diurnal variations of the concentration of several air contaminants are discussed in the section on characterization. A dynamic model is described in the section on indoor air quality modelling. Indoor air pollution control techniques are addressed in the last section.
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide were monitored in 12 homes on a real-time basis to determine their transient concentrations, their dispersion through the homes and day-to-day variation in pollutant levels. Kitchen ventilation was determined using sulphur hexafluoride tracer gas, and use of unvented gas appliances was monitored with thermo couples. A week-long measurement programme was undertaken in a wide range of homes to determine the distribution of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulates and organic compounds.
Contains references and abstracts on laboratory techniques for analyzing formaldehyde, methodologies for identifying and characterizing a wide variety of organic contaminants and selected field studies of organic contaminants inindoor air.
The filtering effects of three types of air control systems at two wastewater treatment plants on viable particles were investigated. Aspergillus fumigatus and other thermophilic organisms were used as monitors for viable particles. The indoor concentrations of viable particles were found to be affected by building design and the use of conventional mechanical air systems. Viable particles of approximately 4.0 microm and greater in aerodynamic diameter were filtered from the air while respirable size particles less than 4.0 micromwere not filtered as well.
Discusses the sources and concentrations of organic compounds in indoor environments. Describes work done by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in the USA on formaldehyde and poor air quality in offices.
Summarizes a study reviewing indoor air pollution in housing in Canada. Concludes that 1, many materials and conditions which contribute significantly to indoor air pollution are known to be present in Canadian houses, 2,individual susceptibility to air pollution varies, 3, smoking remains a major source of pollution, 4, some energy conservation measures aggravate indoor pollution problems, 5, the full health, social and economic costs have yet tobe determined, and 6, acceptable levels of effects on health have not been defined.
This paper describes a framework and methodology for developing and evaluating surveys of occupants for indoor air quality studies. Factors to be studied, and how they can be classified, are addressed. How the often substantial information can be obtained in a stepwise fashion without burdening theparticipant unduly, and ways of judging the efficacy of the questions are also discussed.
Twelve energy-efficient houses in Eugene, Oregon, USA, were measured for effective leakage area using blower door fan pressurization. Air exchange rates over a period of several hours were determined by tracer gas decay analysis.
Provides general information on indoor air pollution sources, the pollutants commonly found indoors and their potential health effects. Contains chapters on formaldehyde and other household contaminants, radon, particulates, combustion products, smoking, energy-efficient buildings, control of indoor air pollutants, air quality in office buildings, and legal and regulatory issues in the USA. Further sources of information are given.
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