Discusses common sources of indoor air pollution in buildings and the specific pollutants emitted by each source, including combustion emissions, formaldehyde and other organic substances and radon. Also covers potential health effects and possible control techniques, including dilution by natural or mechanical ventilation.
Assesses the impact of energy conservation retrofits on the indoor air quality of residential buildings, through a field monitoring project in which air leakage, air exchange rates and indoor air pollutants are measured before and after retrofit. Uses a mobile laboratory to make detailed on-site measurements of air exchange rates and concentrations of pollutants in 2 houses, and measures effective leakage area in 7 other houses. Impact on indoor air quality of the energy conserving retrofits seem to be minimal.
Studies formaldehyde and other aldehydes as a function of building air exchange rates in public buildings and energy efficient research houses. Uses sequential gas bubbling systems in conjunction with a pneumatic flow control system for field sampling. Finds that concentrations of formaldehyde and aldehydes in public buildings are about the same in indoor and outdoor air because of the high ventilation rates in these buildings. However, indoor air in general has higher formaldehyde and total aliphatic aldehyde levels than outdoor air.
Describes a study of indoor air quality in 12 retrofitted houses of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Midway Substation Residential Community, undertaken by LBL and BPA. Measures effective leakage areas and average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and radon before and after retrofit. Finds average reduction in leakage area of 32%. None of the pollutants measured before or after retrofit reached levels exceeding existing guidelines.
States that any residential energy-conserving retrofit program should should include an indoor air quality audit. Proposes a basic audit strategy that would minimize the number of actual on-site pollutant measurements. The first step involves compiling an inventory of indoor pollutants (through an owner questionnaire or visual audit) and assessing the amount of pollutant injected into the home from known sources with a narrow emission rate (eg. gas stoves). The second step is to measure the pollutant source strengths of unknown sources, with emission rates that vary widely (eg. radon).
Assesses the indoor air quality at Oakland Gardens Elementary School in New York City under 3 different ventilation rates. Uses a mobile laboratory to monitor air quality in 2 classrooms, a hallway and outdoors. Parameters measured include air exchange rates, particulates, odour perception, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, radon, formaldehyde and total aldehydes. When the ventilation rate is reduced, carbon dioxide concentrations increase significantly, but do not exceed current occupational standards.
Assesses the impact of energy-conserving retrofits on air leakage and indoor air quality for several houses that are part of a weatherization programme in the Pacific Northwest offered by a power and light company. Indoor air quality was measured using the Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) mobile laboratory containing sampling, monitoring, and calibration equipment. Leakage area of the building envelope was determined using the fan pressurization technique.
Reports on the problem of increased carbon monoxide poisoning in houses resulting from new energy conservation construction techniques, which improve the airtightness of houses.
Reviews literature and presents annotated bibliographies for indoor air quality, indoor air pollution health effects and residential air infiltration. Analyzes air infiltration data, and describes factors related to the house itself, the behaviour of residents and the microenvironment surrounding thehouse. Discusses future trends of infiltration rates.
Uses mathematical models for formaldehyde concentrations in 3 normal rooms in a single family house to estimate ventilation rates needed to maintain the formaldehyde concentration below the Danish recommended indoor standard (0.15 mg/m*3). It appears that in an initial period after the house is finished, a ventilation rate more than 10 times the recommended Scandinavian value (0.5air changes/hr) is needed to keep the concentration below the indoor standard.
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