The Bonneville Power Administration began to look into indoor air quality in 1981 when it planned an extensive weatherization programme. Alternatives were examined for increasing energy savings without increasing health risks. Itwas found that house tightening could increase existing pollutant concentrations in a home by up to 30%. Scientists estimated that each year,between two and thirty five people in every hundred thousand develop cancer from exposure to indoor air polluted by benzo-(a)-pyrene, radon, and formaldehyde.
Notes increasing concern with the quality of indoor air, allied with the desire to conserve energy by minimising ventilation rates. Examines on the basis of a literature search the sources of indoor air pollution and the characteristics of the pollutants. Pays particular attention to tobacco smoke and its deleterious effects on health. Discusses minimum ventilation rates for rooms in which people smoke. Points out that ventilation alone cannot ensure that the strictest criteria for room air quality are met with smoking.
Describes factors to be taken into account for air conditioning and heating in a theatre. Nature and purpose of the building call for an adequate supply of conditioned outdoor air, with a total supply air rate up to 69,000 m3/h. Economical use of energy was stressed. Detailed description of the problems involved with the auditorium and stage shaft are given.
Notes field evidence of increased condensation in houses with reduced ventilation and increased thermal insulation installed to conserve energy. Treats the possible long term effects. Gives advice on taking into account the whole package of heating and ventilation of the property when energy conservation measures are being contemplated.
Recent work by the National Radiological Protection Board indicates that higher than average levels of exposure due to radon occur in the South West. West Devon District Council has undertaken its own survey on radon concentrations to see whether these can be associated with lung cancer incidence. The control of radon gas is likely to have implications for building structure and ventilation. There is a potential conflict between the desirability of increasing ventilation to cut radon levels on the one hand and reducing air infiltration to save energy on the other.
This research attempts to offer partial answers as to how and why inhabitants of a rented apartment building behave as they do in aeration. The authors adopted a two-fold approach : first, by using computerised data recording of outdoor and indoor temperatures per room, the number of hours of sunshine, the surface temperature of radiators and the opening of the windows in each room;second, through interviews with the tenants, sometimes filmed, in order to ascertain their behaviour patterns and underlying motivations in ventilation.
The effects on ventilation behaviour of inhabitants in residential buildings have been investigated as a part within several years' German R and Dprogramme. The investigations have shown that the ventilation behaviour seems to be dominated by traditional behaviour patterns, e.g. ventilating bedrooms, and subjective impressions. There is only a modest correlation between window opening and needs for indoor air quality and energy conservation. Up to nowmost of the inhabitants do not assess correctly their own window opening behaviour.
The paper focusses on local energy conservation measures, and on programs and policies that deal with rental property issues, directly or indirectly, whether they may help or hinder energy conservation. Local programs studied are: U.S. - Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco; Italy - Brescia, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna; Germany - Berlin, Saarbrucken, Rhein Main. Sweden discusses four national programs that are locally administered; building codes, loans and grants, local energy advisors, and general information.
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