combustion product

Amongst various sources of polluting substances the open space gas-range have an impact onthe quality of living spaces. Carbon-dioxide and nitrogen-oxides occurring during burning considerably impair the air quality. Emission of polluting substances has been examined in the Laboratory of Air Quality of Dept. of Building Service. The results of the research supported by the Ministry of Education (T0375 96) will be presented here.

Describes a survey investigating the levels of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, respirable particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and mutagenicity in the PM5 fraction, as well as temperature and humidity, inside 24 houses in La Pintana, Santiago. An additional survey covered symptoms, signs and respiratory diseases possibly associated with socio-economic factors in the area.

Documents what some builders have said about problems with moisture, soot and IAQ in relation to unvented gas fireplaces. Unvented gas fireplaces have become popular recently in the US due to their low cost and flexibility in installation. However many building scientists and indoor air quality professionals have warned against their use because discharging combustion by products into the home invites serious moisture and IAQ problems.

An effective way of reducing the level of radon in dwellings is to extract air from beneath the ground floor. This is usually achieved by mechanical ventilation or by the use of a radon sump. However, in some circumstances, these remedial measures may lower the air pressure inside the dwelling. In a small number of cases, this causes combustion gases from open-flued combustion appliances, such as open fires, to spill into the living spaces. Spillage of this type is potentially hazardous, and should always be avoided.

This paper reports the findings of a pilot field study carried out to investigate the internal and external air pollution levels of two adjacent buildings, one naturally-ventilated and the other air-conditioned in an urban area, to investigate their relative attenuation of external pollution levels and to compare internal levels with existing air quality guidelines. Concentration levels of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were monitored.