The influence of the various sources of pollution on the home environment in the Netherlands is reviewed, eg, outdoor air, gas-fired appliances, tobacco smoking and building materials. The pollutants carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particles and radon are discussed in more detail. Available data show that outdoor standards for air quality are often exceeded indoors. However, conclusions on exposure and health effects cannot be drawn until more data are available from random or stratified samples of houses.
A cross sectional survey investigating building sickness was carried out in two buildings with similar populations of office workers but differing ventilation systems, one being fully air conditioned with humidification and the other naturally ventilated.
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the amount of carbon monoxide that may be expected to be produced during normal cooking. The experiment measured carbon monoxide levels, using multiple burners with and without cooking vessels, and the rate of dissipation of the accumulated gasunder various conditions of ventilation.
Pollutants in a substantial number of buildings have now been investigated by public and private agencies. The archive of data on indoor pollutant levels observed in office buildings under conditions of normal operation and occupancy are reviewed using a computer based Building Performance Database. Representative values of 153 pollutants as well as detailed frequency distributions of commonly measured pollutants and of temperature and humidity are presented.
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide were monitored in 12 homes on a real-time basis to determine their transient concentrations, their dispersion through the homes and day-to-day variation in pollutant levels. Kitchen ventilation was determined using sulphur hexafluoride tracer gas, and use of unvented gas appliances was monitored with thermo couples. A week-long measurement programme was undertaken in a wide range of homes to determine the distribution of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulates and organic compounds.
Sixty houses built with widely different construction practices and located in different areas in upstate New York were monitored for airtightness (using fan pressurization) and integrated radon concentrations in indoor air, household water,
This paper reviews the literature on sources and levels of pollutants in buildings and looks at the possible effects of a reduction in ventilation rates on the health and comfort of building occupants.
Examines four pollutants found in significant amounts in biomass smoke: respirable particulates, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and particulate benzo(a)pyrene, to effect a comparison between tobacco smoke and biomass fuel smoke. Nominal doses of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide are roughly similar. For respirable particulates, smokers receive more than a factor of 10 larger nominal doses. The reverse is true for benzo(a)pyrene.
The effects of different ventilation practices on levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from an unvented gas range were studied under controlled conditions at an experimental house near Washington, DC, USA.
A review of 116 investigated incidents of building illness among office workers in North America and 27 buildings selected for investigations for reasons other than building illness has recently been completed.
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