A survey is given of the sitution in The Netherlands with regard to ventilation and infiltration. Starting from a point of generally very leaky and hardly insulated buildings now the necessity is felt on the one side to make standards for the airtightness to prevent energy wastes by too high infiltration rates and on the other hand to define minimum ventilation rates to secure safe and hygienic conditions in well insulated and airtight buildings. This minimum ventilation rate is based on contaminants, caused by the occupants themselves, the so-called unavoidable sources.
Two bi-level houses in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, of identical design and construction were studied to determine the relationships among air exchange, energy consumption, and indoor pollutants. The experimental house was retrofitted and equip
Gives basic facts about indoor air pollution for homeowners. Lists common indoor air pollutants and guidelines for generally acceptable levels of selected air contaminants. Some suppliers of measurement equipment are mentioned.
The effects of operating unvented appl i ances and opening windows on indoor pollutant levels and air exchange rates are being studied under the sponsorship of the Gas Research Institute. The study is being conducted i n an instrumented, well-characterized bilevel house located near Washington, D.C. Air leakage due to window openings is characterized by pressurization measurements and the air exchange increment is characterized through tracer gas measurements. Two unvented space heaters, one radiant and the other convective, are operated singly and in combination with a gas cooking range.
Over a one-year period, measurements were taken of air temperature, air humidity, ventilation rate, concentration of organic gases and vapours, formaldehyde and odour intensity in a small unfurnished bedroom in each of 6 new unoccupied low energy houses. The indoor climate was on average characterized by an air temperature of 24.7 plus or minus 3 degrees C, and an air humidity of 5.9 plus or minus 2.0 g/kg. Ventilation in each room was between 0.79 and 2.92 air changes per hour. On average 14 different compounds were identified in the samples, a total of 23 compounds being identified.
Errors resulting from treating a house as an enclosure surrounding a single, well-mixed volume of air are explored in detail for a ranch house with abasement. A fairly typical ventilation pattern is assumed and three quantities, the air exchange rate, the indoor pollutant concentration from a given emission, and the energy required to heat infiltrating air, are calculated and compared using both the one and two zone models for this house.In general, the errors were around 10-20% if the basement was included in the one zone models and 30-40% if the basement was neglected.
A two-part experimental study was conducted to identify antecedents of complaints from office workers in a sealed, air conditioned building. Building illness was documented as increased incidence of absenteeism and complaints among office workers in the study group compared to control subjects in a non-sealed building of a similar age. The second part monitored complaints and symptoms from subgroups when lighting was changed and when fresh air was introduced. Complaints and symptoms decreased with changes in air and lighting and increased again when previous conditions were established.
Indoor air quality research in Canada is outlined. 17 indicators are being considered in drawing up air quality criteria and guidelines for residential application. They comprise: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon and radon decay products, formaldehyde, aldehydes, nitrogen dioxide, microbiological agents, moisture, particulates, ozone, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, lead, pesticides, aerosols, synthetic fibres and asbestos, and oxides of sulphur.
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