air quality

The indoor air quality of six homes with gas and electric cooking and gas heating appliances was characterized to determine the level of gaseous and aerosol air pollutants from typical indoor combustion sources. 

Discusses in general terms the problem with formaldehyde in schools in Cologne, reported by Deimel (abstract no.803). Considers problems of ventilating school buildings to reduce the concentration of formaldehyde. Discusses toxicity of formaldehyde and reports a survey of 37 children from one of the Cologne schools. Measurements of formic acid and formaldehyde in the childrens' urine were made after 7 hours of exposure and after 17 exposure-free hours. Concludes that current standards should be adhered to.

Measurements of dark smoke and SO2 concentration made inside and outside a school showed no significant difference in the case of smoke but SO2 concentrations indoors were only 71% of those outside. Holiday periods, when the buildings were unoccupied gave similar results to those periods when thepupils (non-smokers) were present.

Reports measurements of formaldehyde in four newly-built schools. In one school, one year after opening during the hot summer of 1976, concentrations of formaldehyde between 0.3 and 0.9ppm were measured. In another school the average concentration for almost all rooms was over the maximum for working places of 1ppm. The cause was emanation from ceiling and furniture and concentration depended on humidity, temperature and ventilation rate.

Reports survey of indoor climate problems in dwellings. Questionnaires were distributed to 424 families who had complained of indoor climate problems and 240 replies were received. The questionnaires dealt with complaints relating to the dwellings and the age, profession, health and smoking habits of theoccupants. The dwellings are described by type, age, material of outer and interior walls, ceiling and floor. There are questions on ventilating habits, cleaning habits and occupants' views on dust, noise, odour, temperature, humidity and draughts.

Reports measurements of indoor air quality in an air conditioned California High School over a range of ventilation rates, ranging from 13.3 cu.ft. of outside air per minute for each classroom occupant to approximately 1.5 cfm per occupant. Parameters measured include outside air supply rate, theoccupants' perception of indoor air quality, microbial burden, concentration of CO2, CO, NOx, SO2, O3 in two classrooms, a hall and outdoors.

The report was prepared, at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency by the Committee on Indoor Pollutants. It outlines the scope of the problems regarding indoor pollutants and discusses their sources, their effects on human health and welfare, the technologies available for their control or abatement, and concerns about the effects of energy-conservation strategies on indoor concentrations of pollutants. It approaches the subject of indoor pollution from three viewpoints: 1. Physical factors, such as indoor pollutant sources and concentrations. 2.

Air pollution from combustion of fossil fuels can be injurious to health causing damages to air passages. Discusses health risks caused by radon emission in houses. Tables illustrate expected effects of exposure todifferent pollutants, causes of death, 15 years cumulative mortality data, mortality distribution comparison between UK and Sweden, risk of lung cancer caused by radon exposure, and effects on health caused by energy saving methods.

During the period 1973-76, measurements in housing where particle board is used as a building material have revealed a reduction in the formaldehyde content of the indoor atmosphere from 0.64 to 0.40 mg/cu.m. under standard indoor climatic conditions. A corresponding although slighter reduction in therelease of formaldehyde from particle board was found under controlled conditions in climatic chambers. Suggests these improvements in the quality of particle board will suffice to fulfill the proposed limit of 0.40 mg/cu.m.

Elucidates many different aspects of formaldehyde occurrence, such as, comparable indoor air pollutants, complaints and investigations, coherence with ventilation rate and construction, chipboard types, qualities and prices, differing European directives on board composition, chipboard in cold and warm types of flat roofs.