Indoor Air

People live in indoor environment about 90% of lifetime and an adult inhales about 15 kg air each day, over 75% of the human body’s daily mass intake (air, food, water). Therefore, indoor air quality (IAQ) is very important to human health. This book provides the basic knowledge of IAQ and highlights the research achievements in the past two decades. It covers the following 12 sections: introduction, indoor air chemicals, indoor air particles, measurement and evaluation, source/sink characteristics, indoor chemistry, human exposure to indoor pollutants, health effects and health risk assessment, IAQ and cognitive performance, standards and guidelines, IAQ control, and air quality in various indoor environments. It provides a combination of an introduction to various aspects on IAQ studies, the current state-of-knowledge, various advances and the perspective of IAQ studies. It will be very helpful for the researchers and technicians in the IAQ and the related fields. It is also useful for experts in other fields and general readers who want to obtain a basic understanding of and research advances in the field of IAQ. A group of experts in IAQ research have been recruited to write the chapters. Their research interests and experience cover the scope of the book. In addition, some experienced experts in IAQ field have been invited as advisors or reviewers to give their comments, suggestions and revisions on the handbook framework and the chapter details. Their contribution guarantees the quality of the book. We are very grateful to them. Last but not least, we express our heartfelt thanks to Prof. Spengler, Harvard University, for writing the foreword of the current Handbook of Indoor Air Quality both as a pioneer scientist who contributed greatly to indoor air science and as an Editor-in-chief of Handbook of Indoor Air Quality 2001, 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. In addition to hard copies, the book is also published online and will be updated by the authors as needed to keep it aligned with current knowledge. These salient features can make the handbook fresh with the research development.

This book presents WHO guidelines for the protection of public health from risks due to a number of chemicals commonly present in indoor air. The substances considered in this review, i.e. benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, naphthalene, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (especially benzo[a]pyrene), radon, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, have indoor sources, are known in respect of their hazardousness to health and are often found indoors in concentrations of health concern. The guidelines are targeted at public health professionals involved in preventing health risks of environmental exposures, as well as specialists and authorities involved in the design and use of buildings, indoor materials and products. They provide a scientific basis for legally enforceable standards.

People spend most of their time indoors, and indoor air pollutants can cause both long and short term health effects. Awareness of indoor air pollution as an environmental issue, however, is relatively new. This book has been prepared to offer an up-to-date, comprehensive reference manual on indoor air quality to scientists and professionals active in this area. The intention of the book is to bring together a collection of contributions from specialists in the specific disciplines of indoor air quality, covering all points of view from various angles, from building design and building sciences, to health effects and medical diagnosis, toxicology of indoor air pollutants, and air sampling and analysis. One of the characteristics of this book is the multidisciplinary approach that integrates the expertise of medical doctors, architects, engineers, chemists, biologists, physicists and toxicologists. The resulting product is of great educational value and recommended for consultation as well as teaching purposes. The panel of conrtibuting authors includes top experts on indoor air worldwide, who have participated in international workshops and led the development of indoor air sciences over the recent years.

Microbial pollution is a key element of indoor air pollution. It is caused by hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi, in particular filamentous fungi (mould), growing indoors when sufficient moisture is available. This document provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on health problems associated with building moisture and biological agents. The review concludes that the most important effects are increased prevalences of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma as well as perturbation of the immunological system. The document also summarizes the available information on the conditions that determine the presence of mould and measures to control their growth indoors. WHO guidelines for protecting public health are formulated on the basis of the review. The most important means for avoiding adverse health effects is the prevention (or minimization) of persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures. [Ed.]

Indoor Air Quality and HVAC Systems is a practical guide for understanding the relationship between the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of HVAC systems and achieving indoor air quality (IAQ). The book describes the individual components of HVAC systems and the role each plays in maintaining good indoor air quality. It also identifies the techniques available for evaluating the performance characteristics of ventilation systems (including the use of carbon dioxide monitors and sulfur hexafluoride tracer testing equipment). Other topics discussed include the determination of pathways of air movement through buildings and understanding pressure relationships, ventilation effectiveness, and efficiency. The book concludes with an overview of sources of air contaminants to be concerned about when performing an IAQ evaluation. Indoor Air Quality and HVAC Systems provides critical information for industrial hygienists, HVAC contractors and engineers, and building owners and managers.

Since about 1980, asthma prevalence and asthma-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased substantially, especially among children. Of particular concern is the high mortality rate among African Americans with asthma. Recent studies have suggested that indoor exposuresâ€"to dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and other biological and chemical pollutantsâ€"may influence the disease course of asthma. To ensure an appropriate response, public health and education officials have sought a science-based assessment of asthma and its relationship to indoor air exposures. Clearing the Air meets this need. This book examines how indoor pollutants contribute to asthmaâ€"its causation, prevalence, triggering, and severity. The committee discusses asthma among the general population and in sensitive subpopulations including children, low-income individuals, and urban residents. Based on the most current findings, the book also evaluates the scientific basis for mitigating the effects of indoor air pollutants implicated in asthma. The committee identifies priorities for public health policy, public education outreach, preventive intervention, and further research.

With the quality of indoor air ranking highly in our lives, this second, completely, revised edition now includes 12 completely new chapters addressing both chemical and analytical aspects of organic pollutants. Sources of indoor air pollutants, measurement and detection as well as evaluation are covered filling the gap in the literature caused by this topical subject. This book is divided into four clearly defined parts: measuring organic indoor pollutants, investigation concepts and quality guidelines, field studies, and emission studies. The authors cover physico-chemical fundamentals of organic pollutants, relevant definitions and terminology, emission sources, sampling techniques and instrumentation, exposure assessment as well as methods for control. Test methods and studies for various indoor environments are described, such as automobile interiors, museum environments, or rooms with air ventilation. Emission sources covered include household and consumer products as well as electronic devices and office equipment. The book is aimed at chemists, physicists, biologists, and medical doctors at universities and research facilities, in industry and environmental laboratories as well as regulative bodies.

Indoor Air Quality: The Latest Sampling and Analytical Methods, Third Edition is a practical, user-friendly guide to the identification and assessment of the indoor air contaminants that contribute to building-related illness in commercial buildings, institutions, and residences. It covers the basic concepts of indoor air quality assessment, including its historic evolution. The book describes the most common substances encountered in an indoor air quality investigation, their health effects, and their occurrence in the environment. Drawing from the author’s experience, observations, and extensive research, this easy-to-read guide provides readers with a working knowledge of the latest approaches to sampling protocols and cutting-edge trends as well as suggested sampling strategies, helpful experience related tips, and a means for interpreting results. Additionally, in the later part of the book, there is considerable discussion of failure modes of building materials and systems—sources of many indoor air quality problems! This third edition details up-to-date strategies and analytical methods and addresses some of the more recent, as well as less common, concerns on indoor air pollutants. All chapters in the third edition have been updated to adhere to the more recent developments in indoor air quality. Also a new chapter on the illusive data and sampling approaches on ozone has been added. New in the Third Edition Revised and updated standards and guidelines Updated U.S. EPA NAAQS Updated LEEDv4 Standard Updated ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Latest approaches to sampling and analytical methods Expanded discussion on controversial inhalable airborne particulate sampling methods Updated and expanded tables and data Updated and expanded figures and schematics Inclusion of a new chapter on ozone