The variables that can be quantified in biological systems are called biomarkers. In a broadest sense biomarkers are substitute measures used because the variable of interest cannot be measured for practical, economical or principal reasons.The quality of a substitute measure refers to the quality of the predictions which can be made based on it. Those predictions must have a very low frequency of mistakes.The indices cannot be used alone unless better documentation of the quality of their predictions is established.
This paper presents the results of an indoor air quality-energy audit made in five air-conditioned office buildings in Singapore. Data are presented from both objective and subjective measurements.It appears that on the one hand BSI (Building Symptom Index) values are in correlation with IAQ and thermal comfort acceptability but on the other hand, no significant correlation exists between BSI (Building Symptom Index) and IPSI (Indoor Pollutant Standard Index).
The Indoor Air Pollution Index (IAPI) has been developed to put an end to communication concerns among building tenants, building managers, and IAQ investigators. That index, simple and easy to understand, satisfies the 3 criteria of environmental indices because it relates to occupant symptoms, is easy to communicate to the consumer and can be used as an environmental and management tool for reducing in-office air pollution effectively.The index uses a unitless single number between 0 (lowest pollution level and best IAQ) and ten (highest pollution level and worst IAQ).
Accurate and informative sampling methods are very important in the evaluation of fungalexposure in indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations. We have investigated the relationshipbetween indoor culturable airborne and dust-borne fungi and compared the performance ofculturable and non-culturable air samplersReuter Centrifugal Air Sampler (RCS) and ZefonAi-O-CellTM (AOC).
Novel indoor air purification technology using ions generated by discharge plasma has beendeveloped. The effect of ions on airborne influenza virus has been investigated by the plaquemethod using MDCK cells and the hemagglutination test. It has been discovered that theseions can inactivate influenza virus in air world first. The infection rate of influenza virus toMDCK cells has been drastically reduced with the use of ions generated by the developeddevice. Furthermore the efficacy tests of these ions for polio virus and coxsackie virus havebeen performed.
A novel indoor air purification technology using ions generated by discharge plasma hasbeen developed. With the application of AC voltage between electrodes, dischargeplasma has been occurred and positively charged ions and negatively charged ions havebeen generated at atmospheric pressure. The chemical compositions of the ions have beenclarified to H + (H2O)m and O2 (H2O)n by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy.Bacteriostatic and fungistatic effects of these ions have been investigated.
This paper summarizes efforts to identify economically viable strategies to reduce HVAC-related energy use while improving the indoor air quality for a public zoo facility that houses primates and large cats. The primary focus of energy conservation strategies for the facility centered on use of airto-air energy recovery devices. Computer simulations, validated with experimental data from the facility, were used to estimate energy savings for alternative energy conservation strategies.
One challenge in indoor air quality studies is the measurement of three-dimensional air velocity profiles in an airspace so that the nature of airflow can be better understood and appropriate ventilation systems can be designed. There is much dispute over a variety of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models, primarily due to a lack of credible data to validate those models. This study aimed to develop a stereoscopic particle imaging velocimetry (SPIV) system suitable for easurement of full-scale room three-dimensional airflow.
Pollutants found in indoor air are often several times higher than outdoors. Indoor air pollutants cause effects ranging from odor, annoyance, and irritation to illness, cancer, and even death. Since people spend the majority of their time indoors, it is important to recognize and control indoor air pollution. Some indoor air pollutants also adversely affect materials in the building and the building structure itself. The majority of indoor pollution comes from the building itself, its contents, or its occupants and their activities.
This paper is a commentary on comments made by Drs Molhave and Wolkoff regarding indoor air pollution indices presented by the authors in 2003. They make it clear that IAPI attains the following aims : it is easily understood by all stakeholders, it associates well with symptoms, and provides a setting for management of the indoor environment.
Bu this index is a metric of in-office pollution and not a metric of a specific pollutant.
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