Discusses the need for and current state of standards for indoor air quality, and the various organisations responsible for setting them in the USA. Particular reference to ASHRAE standard 62-1981 and 62-1974.
Notes increasing concern with the quality of indoor air, allied with the desire to conserve energy by minimising ventilation rates. Examines on the basis of a literature search the sources of indoor air pollution and the characteristics of the pollutants. Pays particular attention to tobacco smoke and its deleterious effects on health. Discusses minimum ventilation rates for rooms in which people smoke. Points out that ventilation alone cannot ensure that the strictest criteria for room air quality are met with smoking.
Discusses sources of formaldehyde indoors, e.g. smoking, formaldehyde resins, and release of formaldehyde from chipboards and foam insulation, and the importance of ventilation in removing excess pollutants. Factors influencing the amount of formaldehyde release include age of materials, temperature, moisture variations, ventilation. Emphasises the importance of quality control, standards and tests such as FTM-1 and FTM-2.
Discusses building 'safe' houses, describes the decay chain of uranium 238 and the qualities of radon, and risks of developing lung cancer run by miners and householders. Figures for lung cancer in the USA are quoted. Details from three studies in Houston, Maine and Sweden are given. Discusses sources of radon, e.g. water, building materials, soil. A study of houses in Pennsylvania indicated that high radon concentrations occurred over Cambro-ordovician sediment rock. Discusses movement of radon from soil into dwellings.
Introductory talk on the indoor air quality problem. Compares risk of radon pollution in houses to the risks of smoking tobacco, and gives a definition of levels of concern. Mentions filtering of indoor air by means of an air-to-air heat exchanger, the interaction between ventilation and sources, e.g. unvented combustion heaters and carbon dioxide emissions; measurements of nitrogen dioxide are compared, and formaldehyde concentrations in 28 different commercial buildings.
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