Air quality control strategies for health, comfort, and energy efficiency

Within the last ten years, energy shortages, economic pressures, and changes in indoor environmental requirements have resulted in buildings that are more energy efficient but less forgiving, environmentally. These results indicate that energ

Different tracer gas methods for assessing air quality - compilation of experimental data.

Continues on from a previous paper, which gives a theoretical framework for using moments of concentration histories as a means of assessing air quality. Gives a more detailed presentation of the test conditions and the results from each test, together with plots of concentration v.time graphs.

Building ventilation measurements, predictions and standards.

Discusses the ASHRAE Standard 62-1981 "Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor AIr Quality", and extensive field measurements of ventilation. Presents apredictive model for indoor air contaminant concentrations in residences andits verification, along with the effects of several variables. Additional research on the indoor emanation rates of contaminants which are health hazards would enable the prediction of indoor contaminant levels with various control options.

The efficiency of ventilation.

Discusses different ways of defining and comparing ventilation efficiency. It can be defined in absolute values ie the ability of the system to decrease the concentration of impurities in proportion to the maximum concentration. A time consta

Indoor environmental quality performance of a radiant-type ventless kerosene heater - pilot study in a single family residence.

Describes tests made in a single-family house to examine the overall effects of the kerosene heater in situ. Results indicate that in a tight house, maximum NOx concentrations can be higher than the ASHRAE and EPA air quality standards for continuous NO2 exposure and can approach the ASHRAE standard for24 hr exposure of NO. In some cases the NOx concentrations could be reduced to below the standard NO2 values by opening a window. Results show that average 24-hr NOx concentrations approach the standard NO2 value in a tight house when the heater is operated for 6.2 hrs.

Indoor air quality.

Reviews some of the factors which cause indoor air pollution. Includes a general introduction to the subject, lists of prevailing air pollutants and their sources, detailed data from research and stnadard methods of air analysis, a study of the relationship between indoor pollution concentration and health effects and current regulatory trends, especially in the USA.

Regulations governing minimum ventilation. Bestammelsenligt ventilations minimum.

Considers the dangers of gases which are present in indoor air and which cannot be detected orally. Notes current regulations in Finland governing indoor air quality. Illustrates sense of comfort with example using a bus and various measures to provide satisfactory air to all parts of the bus. Considers current knowledge on air change rates and personal comfort.

Health and comfort aspects of indoor climate. Helse - og trivselaspekter med inneklima.

Health problems have occurred after the introduction of building regulations with stricter requirements for airtightness. Reviews work done to improve problems associated with the thermal environment and human heat balance, building and installation conditions; the chemical environment and human awareness of pollutants; medical aspects; radon radiation; microbiological conditions; energy savings, air quality and efficient ventilation; thermal insulation and airtightness; static electricity and toxic gases from building materials and the problems of low ventilation rates.

Pollutant and pollutant concentrations encountered in various indoor environments.

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.

Sources of indoor contaminants.

Characterizes indoor contaminants as two continua - mass stressors and energy stressors. Describes the rates of generation and transportation of contaminants in terms of 4 sources (outdoor air, building materials, occupants and indoor processes) in 4 environmental zones. Reviews information on contaminant generation and discusses factors that affect these rates, including temperature, moisture content, acidity, room air distribution and occupant proximity. Concludes that sufficient information is available for new control strategies to be used to provide acceptable indoor air quality.

Pages