Human Exposure

The ventilation system removes pollutants effectively, and the resultant vertical temperature difference in the room greatly affects the indoor air distribution. A reasonable air distribution system is essential to provide a satisfying indoor air quality (IAQ) for the occupants, of which air quality in the breathing microenvironment plays a major role in occupant health, as they are exposed to this region directly.

Potentially-harmful chemicals could be released from many indoor materials, including consumerproducts and building materials, into indoor environments. Semi-volatile chemicals (SVOCs) due totheir lower vapor pressure, are often present, either primarily in indoor dust or in both indoor air andindoor dust. Several types of SVOCs have been measured in indoor air and indoor dust of Ottawaresidential homes.