A study on indoor radon

The results of our investigations in the Federal Republic of Germany on the Rn-222 and Rn-220 daughter product concentration in dwellings and in the open air are presented. The median Rn-222 concentration indoors was approximately 4 times hig

Tracing of radon leakages

In Sweden there are two major sources to indoor radon, the building material and radon from uranium rich soils. It is now widely accepted that indoor radon daughter concentration in Sweden, higher than 1000 Bq/m3 is most frequently caused by

Assessment of additional exposures and risks from airtightening of homes in an Alpine area with high radon emanation

In large areas of the Swiss Alps, the high radium content of rocks and soil, which results in high source terms for radon from the ground, may produce considerable indoor levels of radon in dwellings with low air infiltration. During the winter

Indoor air quality in Canadian homes - Policy, regulatory and consumer education issues

There are a number of reasons to question whether regulation should be the primary means of dealing with indoor air quality problems. The nature of hypersensitivity to indoor pollutant exposures is such that any practical form of regulation m

A study on the outdoor air supply for occupants in buildings. Experimental studies

The amount of outdoor air supply required in rooms were no one was smoking and only body odour was pesented was investigated using a climate chamer, under clean room conditions. Ten subjects were confined in the room and five panels outside of the room stated the odour level in the sampled air from theroom when compared to clean air. Experiments were performed in four steps of 5,10, 20 and 30 CMH per person. Room temperature was either 22-23 deg C or 32-33 deg C with a relative humidity of 50-60%. The higher temperature was used to study the influence of body odour in sweat.

The sick building syndrome

Discusses the symptoms and compaints of the occupants of unhealthy buildings. Compares the availability and sensitivity of building sensors to human sensitivity for the full fange of indoor air contaminants. Refers to the difficulty of assessing pollution using occupant questionnaires. A simple equation for determining contaminant concentration is presented and ventilation standards are discussed.

Indoor climate Inomhusklimat

Describes expectations people have of indoor climate. Notes that the quality of indoor climate has often taken second place to fashionable architectural and material considerations. Refers to concern for improved environment and awareness of formaldehyde, radon and other pollutants and the need for correct ventilation to achieve derived air quality. Proves guidelines for air quality and the thermal indoor climate in both housing and working premises.

The relation between emission-rates of organic gases etc from building materials and their concentrations in the indoor environment

Individual mathematical models for formaldehyde concentrations in each of 3 normal rooms in a single family house is used to estimate ventilation rates needed to maintain formaldehyde concentration below the recommended Danish indoor standard (0.15 mg/m3). In an initial period after the house was finished a ventilation rate more than 10x the recommended Scandinavian maximum value (0.5 ach) was needed to keep the concentration below the indoor standard.

Concentrations of formaldehyde in modern dwellings with low ventilation rates.

Briefly deals with Finnish research into formaldehyde concentrations in modern dwellings. Describes materials and methods used by the Institute of Occupational Health in Finland to measure formaldehyde concentrations in more than 100 dwellings. Ventilation rates have also been measured in 35 rooms in 20 dwellings, and 46% have been below the minimum acceptable value of 0.5 ach.Where the ventilation rate exceeded 0.5 ach only 9% of the measured HCHO concentrations exceeded the limit value for old houses.

The mysterious villain of wood adhesives.

Discusses the problem of formaldehyde emissions from UF resins used in particle board in North America. Describes tests done by Forintek Canada Corp to monitor formaldehyde emission. One of the experiments involves a test chamber with a controlled air change rate and designed to imitate domestic conditions. Air samples are withdrawn from the chamber through impingers containing distilled water which is analyzed for formaldehyde content. Also describes the 'Dessicator' and 'Perforator' methods of measuring formaldehyde emission.

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