LoginIndoor air quality (IAQ) has been a matter of public concern in Brazil. An IAQ survey wasconducted in an office building and in a commercial bank in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Indoorand outdoor air of offices was analysed due to the possibility of causing adverse effect on thehealth of the occupants. Measurements were made in a day during working hours. Sampleswere collected for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs), aldehydes, total particulate matter (TPM) and microbiological analysis. Theconcentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde had been higher in indoor than outdoor airdue to recent refurbishing of the office and the presence of carpets and cleaning materials. TheTVOC concentrations ranged from 216.32 to 592.97 g/m3. The indoor levels of TVOCs werehigher indoor than outdoor, indicating indoor sources of pollution, despite the officeslocation near street traffic. TVOC values exceeded the Brazilian Guidelines (500 g/m3).TPM values varied between 3.859.31 g/m3, in a commercial bank, and 12.3616.31 g/m3,in an office building. These values do not exceed the Brazilian Guidelines (80 g/m3). Themicrobiological analysis showed that indoor air is good, because the values obtained variedbetween 35.7 and 121.4 cfu/m3, below that suggested (750 cfu/m3). The condensed water pansand the ducts were not working as primary and secondary sources of pollution. Thecharacterization of indoor air pollutants allowed the suggestion of several remediationmeasures to improve air quality in the offices.
Distributions of indoor and outdoor air pollutants in downtown Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil
Year:
2003
Bibliographic info:
Healthy Buildings 2003 - Proceedings 7th International Conference (7th-11th December 2003) - National University of Singapore - Vol. 1., pp 210-216, 3 Fig., 4 Tab., 13 Ref.