English

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.

Reports on symposium in Belgrade, 1978, on the consequences of blocked and contaminated ventilation ducts. Notes current research by Swedish Building Research Council into hospital ventilation systems and other work on aspects of contamination and its effect on efficiency. Also reports on investigations into ventilation in housing. Diagrams illustrate various parameters and the effect of cleaning and contamination on airflow and efficiency. Considers economic periodicity of cleaning. Stresses importance of cleaning heat exchangers. Article concludes with a subject bibliography.

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 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.

Reports on measurements carried out by energy consultants at a national test centre using thermography to determine any improvements in insulation and airtightness through the injection of mineral wool in Dormer houses. Measurements show results which are much better than expected. States costs and payback period of approx 6 years.

Discusses radon risks in housing and carcinogenic effects. Compares background radiation as part of our natural environment and the effects of radon gas on building materials. Notes effects of reduced ventilation designed to reduce energy consumption and its influence on the frequency of cancer.

Describes a simple method to calculate the leakage area of a house regardless of design or weather conditions. The leakage area is used in the LBL infiltration model to calculate infiltration for any weather condition. This method, which uses fan pressurization to measure leakage area has been used in a survey of over 300 houses located through out North America. Presents the results of that survey and suggests that the present capability in air infiltration modelling offers an excellent framework for an air leakage standard for residential buildings.

Conducts tests over a period of 18 months in a house near Knoxville Tennessee to determine the effect of forced ventilation on the infiltration rate. Uses an outside-vented electric dryer as the power vent. Carries out testing during a variety of weather conditions. Uses SF6 as a tracer gas to measure infiltration rates. Develops a non-linear regression based on measured data relating the change in house infiltration rate to the vent rate.

To experimentally determine the repeatability of pressurization test results, pressure tests a home about 80 times in one year. Studies the effect of weather conditions on test results, along with changes in the results over time. For local wind speeds less than 2.5 m/s the 50 Pa leakage rate has a standard deviation of about 2% of the mean over short time periods. For stronger winds, errors as large as 15% compared to calm weather test results occur. Finds a seasonal variation of 25% in the leakiness of the house.

Presents data on the air infiltration and ventilation rates in 2 large commercial buildings. One building is a 4 storey, 10000m2 office building near Glasgow, Scotland; the other is a 26 storey, 100,000m2 skyscraper in Newark NJ. Collects the data on air infiltration and ventilation rates by a micro-computer based automated air infiltration system which controls the injection of a tracer gas into the various zones of the building and monitors its decay.