MODELLING THE FORMALDEHYDE EMISSION FROM MULTI-LAYER WORK SURFACES USED IN OFFICE WORKSTATION SYSTEMS

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from various sources may adversely affect human health,comfort and performance. In particular, formaldehyde has been identified as a major indoor pollutantwhose emission is controlled by workstation systems. Engineered wood products such asparticleboards have widely been used with wood veneer and laminate to form work surfaces ofworkstation systems, which is a major formaldehyde emission component. The emission rate offormaldehyde depends on the composition of each material layer, temperature and moisture content inthe materials.

THE FULL SCALE AND CFD SIMULATION OF IMPINGING JET VENTILATION

Ventilation strategies play an important role of enhancing thermal comfort, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) andenergy conservation in any conditioned space. Introduced in late 90s, Impinging Jet Ventilation (IJV) isthe system that can utilize stratification, while supplying with high velocity. With this characteristic andthe simplicity of its terminal configuration, IJV has an advantage over well-known DisplacementVentilation (DV) system. In this study, IJV system was investigated for establishing the protocol used inComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation.

THE IMPACT OF TERMINAL CONFIGURATIONS IN IMPINGING JET VENTILATED ROOM

Introduced in late 90’s, Impinging Jet Ventilation (IJV) is the system that can utilize stratification, while supplying with medium to high velocity. This characteristic makes IJV easy to be controlled and operated, while room Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can

USE OF LIVING POT-PLANTS TO CLEANSE INDOOR AIR – RESEARCH REVIEW

Urban indoor air quality (IAQ) is an international health issue, since city dwellers spend 90% of theirtime indoors. Research by a number of authors is reviewed here, demonstrating a range of capacitiesof indoor plants to improve IAQ and promote occupant wellbeing. Our laboratory studies, with nineindoor plant species, and our field studies in 60 offices, show that potted-plants can reliably reducetotal volatile organic compound (TVOC) loads, a major class of indoor pollutants, by 75%, to below100 ppb. They work equally well with or without air-conditioning, and in light or dark.

THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT IN HOMES AND HEALTH – WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT, IF ANY?

The epidemiological research on indoor environments in homes and health has been reviewed.Science has mainly been about health effects like asthma/allergies and exposures such as VOCs,mould and dampness. So far there are few conclusive findings. Dampness, pets, mites, dampness,ETS, a low ventilation rate, and some phthalates are risk factors for asthma and allergies. There is alarge need of studies of other health effects, and other exposures, especially regarding new frequentlyused chemicals.

STUDIES ON VOCS REMOVAL RATES OF ROOM AIR CLEANERS AND INDOOR CONCENTRATION PREDICTION

This research determines chemical substance removal rates of domestic air cleaners using with thepollutant constant-emission test. In previous studies, we have already reported the formaldehyderemoval rates of room air cleaners and the high accuracy of our method for predicting indoor pollutantconcentration. In the present study, the VOCs removal rates of room air cleaners were measured.Gas-phase contaminants were supplied to the environmental test-chamber using a custom-builtemission device. And performance evaluation test was conducted to two kinds of air cleaners.

STUDY ON EFFECTS OF BUILDING LAYOUT ON URBAN VENTILAITON, OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY AND OUTDOOR THERMAL ENVIRONMENT

For energy conservation and good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), it is crucial to improve Outdoor Air Quality(OAQ). For achieving good OAQ in urban areas, wind flow patterns among buildings should beimproved as well.In this paper, effects of building layout on outdoor thermal climate and air quality are investigatednumerically. In addition to the environment around pedestrians, enthalpy of outdoor air introduced intobuildings and its air quality are examined from the standpoint of IAQ.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE CONTAMINANT REMOVAL EFFICIENCY OF AN AIR CLEANER USING THE ADSORPTION/DESORPTION EFFECT

The objective of this paper is to present the contaminant removal efficiency of a prototype air cleanerusing the adsorption/desorption effect and to investigate the practicality of this air cleaner. Toluene andformaldehyde were used as pollutant sources and were emitted at a constant rate in a test chamber.Effects of the number of sorption units, the operational time and mode on the contaminant removalperformance were examined. Sorption materials that were evaluated were a porous material, zeolite,pumice stone, and hydro-corn.

SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEM IN A NEW HOSPITAL IN MALAYSIA

Malaysia is situated near the equator of earth where the weather is hot and humid. The vulnerableenvironment has induced many Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) concerns in hospitals by health professions inmany countries. There is mounting evidence on IAQ exposure leading to excessive morbidity andmortality. Many extensive studies have been conducted but there is not many IAQ standard to-date.The objective of the study is to present the finding of the source of indoor air quality in a new hospital inMalaysia. The study also presents the solution to overcome the IAQ problem faced by the hospital.

EMISSION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUDS FROM AIR FILTER

This study aimed to investigate volatile organic compound (VOC) emission fluxes from a new air filtermedia and a used one. The emission tests from air filters were carried out by the small chambermethod and a new chamber method developed in this study. And the VOCs in an actual air conditioningunit were measured in order to confirm the emission from the air filter. The some VOCs emitted fromused air filter could be detected in the emission tests. The air filter medias emitted formaldehyde andother organic compounds, and airflow through filter media changed emission fluxes.

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