Reviews current knowledge about the sources of a number of indoor pollutants and their concentrations: tobacco smoke, NO2, CO, radon, formaldehyde, SO2, CO2, O3, asbestos, mineral fibres, organics and allergens. Lists the adverse health effects from exposure to each of the pollutants. Finds instrumentation for measuring exposure acceptable, but monitoring and knowledge of distribution of sources and concentrations inadequate or marginal. Knowledge of exposure-effects relationship is inadequate, especially with regard to delayed effects of chronic exposures.
A pilot study was conducted using workers from a semiconductor plant. Describes the methods used to acquire and evaluate air pollution exposure data for significant environments (including workplace, in-transit, and residence) to which workers are exposed throughout a typical 24-hour day. Summer andwinter measurements were made on products of combustion, radon, respirable particulates, and a variety of organic compounds including methylene chloride.
Mathematical models for predicting indoor pollutant levels are being developed and compared with measured concentration in three residential dwellings - a relatively new townhouse constructed according to rigid energy-conservation guidelines,
Reviews the present state of knowledge of indoor pollutant concentrations, their time dependence and their relationship with indoor sources, energy conserving measures and indoor activity patterns. Pollutants of primary concern are organic compounds, respirable suspended particulates, nitrogen dioxide and allergens. Assesses knowledge of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, radon and infectious agents. Reviews typical concentrations of carbon monoxide, asbestos, mineral fibres, ozone and sulphur dioxide in residences. Concludes that a systematic assessment of indoor air quality is warranted.
In dwellings and similar spaces with limited volume, dilution of indoor air contaminants may be insufficient. The concentration of contaminants in the inside air depends partly on the rate of emission into the room, partly on the ventilation and the concentration of impurities in the outside air. Sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, ozone and lead compounds occur in higher concentrations in the outside air, whereas nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, benzpyrene (from tobacco smoke), formaldehyde and dust have higher concentrations indoors.
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.
Discusses in detail a general ventilation model, which relates indoor pollutant concentrations to those outside. When the time interval associated with changes in the outdoor concentration islong compared to that required either to change the air within the building or to remove the pollutant by internal means, the indoor concentration of pollutant can be related to the outdoor concentration by means of a simple expression. Finds good agreement between theory and experiment. Suggests method for reducing indoor ozone levels in California.
Discusses minimum ventilation necessary for occupied buildings and finds that occupiers minimum needs are based on dilution of body odours and that in Britain a high ventilation rate is necessary to reduce humidity. Describes two electrical solutions to the ventilation problem. The first is a combined ozone and ultra violet irradiation to oxidize the malodours. The second is the application of a heat pump dehumidifier to remove excess moisture in mild weather.
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