Diagnostic barriers to using PM2.5 concentrations as metrics of indoor air quality

Particulate matter with a diameter of ≤2.5µm (PM2.5) has been shown to be present in many buildings at concentrations that are harmful to human health. Accordingly, they should be used as metrics of indoor air quality (IAQ) and included in standards or norms. This paper uses measurements of PM2.5 concentrations made in three different environments using three different devices to show that there are barriers that must be before they can be considered viable diagnostics. Optical particle counters (OPCs) are a common device used to measure temporal changes in PM2.5 concentration.

Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations and Emission Rates Measured over One Year in a New Manufactured House

A study to measure indoor concentrations and emission rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, was conducted in a new, unoccupied manufactured house installed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) campus. The house was instrumented to continuously monitor indoor temperature and relative humidity, heating and air conditioning system operation, and outdoor weather. It also was equipped with an automated tracer gas injection and detection system to estimate air change rates every 2 h.

RENOVATIONS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE AIR QUALITY IN UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS

This study aims to understand chemical air pollution and its influence on students and staff in auniversity building that had been under renovation for 2 years. Occupants had to move into their newrooms immediately after the renovation work was completed and so could have been exposed tochemical pollutants emitted from architectural materials.We conducted chamber testing to obtain chemical emission rates from interior use materials; whichwere the ones used for the actual work in the university building.