• Title/Summary/Keyword: Indoor environmental quality

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Estimation of Source Emission Rate on Volatile Organic Compounds and Formaldehyde Using Indoor Air Quality Modeling in New Apartment (실내공기질 모델을 이용한 신축공동주택의 VOCs 및 HCHO 배출량 추정)

  • Sim, Sang-Hyo;Kim, Yoon-Shin;Yang, Won-Ho
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.15 no.10
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    • pp.929-933
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    • 2006
  • Indoor air quality is the dominant contributor to total personal exposure because most people spend a majority of their time Indoors. Especially when indoor environments have sources of contaminants, exposure to in-door air can potentially pose a greater threat than exposure to ambient air. In this study, estimations of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde omission rate in indoor environments of new apartments were carried out using mass balance model in indoor environment, because indoor air quality can be affected by source generation, outdoor air level, ventilation, decay by reaction, temperature, humidity, mixing condition and so on. Considering the estimated emission rate of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde, it Is suggested that new apartment should be designed and constructed in the aspect of using construction materials to emit low hazardous air pollutants.

A Study of Indoor Air Quality of Public Facilities in Chung-Nam Area (충남지역 미적용 다중이용시설의 실내공기질에 관한 연구)

  • Hong, Sung-Chul;Jou, Hye-Mee;Cho, Tae-Jin;Lee, Che-Won;Jung, Yong-Taek;Son, Bu-Soon
    • Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.35-45
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    • 2008
  • In order to recommend criteria for the administration law on indoor air quality, this study was conducted to examine the distribution and the concentration of indoor air pollutants ($PM_{10},\;CO_2$, CO, HCHO, TBC, $NO_2$, Rn, VOCs, asbestos, $O_3$) in public facilities in the Chung-Nam area. The concentrations of indoor air pollutants were obtained from sixty seven public facilities such as a cinema, an office, a restaurant, a theater and an academy. This study was performed from August to December, 2005. The results of this study showed that the concentrations of indoor air pollutants such as $PM_{10},\;CO_2$, CO, HCHO, TBC, Rn and $O_3$ were less than the recommended limits. However, the average concentration of VOCs was $521.73{\mu}g/m^3$ (GM : $221.69{\mu}g/m^3$), which was higher than the recommended limit of $400{\mu}g/m^3$. Moreover, the average concentration of $NO_2$ was 345.66ppb (GM : 69.95ppb), which was higher than the recommended limit of 50 ppb. The correlation between the concentrations of indoor air pollutants and the type of facilities with respect to $CO_2$, TBC and Rn was statistically low (p<0.05). However, the correlation was high in terms of the CO and $O_3$ concentrations (p<0.01). No relationship between the indoor air pollutants and the type of facilities was observed for $PM_{10}$, VOCs and $NO_2$. The year of construction was compared to the concentrations of indoor air pollutants. Specifically, when the construction date was less than 3 years, the HCHO, VOCs and TBC concentrations were $44.75{\mu}g/m^3,\;555.07{\mu}g/m^3$ and $337.79CFU/m^3$, respectively. These concentrations were $120{\mu}g/m^3$ and $211.84CFU/m^3$ higher for VOCs and TBC than the concentrations obtained from the facilities more than 3 years. However, the concentration of HCHO was similar between the facilities older and younger than 3 years of age. Year, temperature, humidity and indoor air pollutant correlation analyses showed that temperature and humidity, temperature and TBC, temperature and $O_3,\;PM_{10}$ and $NO_2$, HCHO and VOCs, $CO_2$ and Rn had positive relationships. However temperature and Rn, humidity and $CO_2,\;CO_2$ and $O_3,\;O_3$ and Rn had negative relationships. Accordingly, it will be necessary to manage the factors affecting indoor air quality so that the residents can have a more comfortable and healthier living environment. Ultimately, the results of this study are expected to be utilized as baseline data.

Application of Indoor Air Modelling for Using Health Risk Assessment in Environmental Impact Assessment (환경영향평가에서 건강위해성평가 기법을 이용하기 위한 실내공기 모델링 적용)

  • Yang, Won-Ho;Son, Bu-Soon;Park, Jong-An;Kim, Im-Soon;Han, Sang-Wook
    • Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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    • v.10 no.3
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    • pp.211-221
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    • 2001
  • Recognizing interaction between the environment and humans, the EIA(environmental impact assessment) movement has sought to promote more environmentally sound and informed decisions for the sake of human welfare. Therefore, most EIA programs require the consideration of human health impacts. Yet relatively few EIA documents adequately address those impacts. This study was carried out to investigate the role of EIA for reuniting the environment and human health, for preventing and reducing significant health risks, and for improving human health impact assessment by means of risk assessment. Risk assessment consists of 4 components; hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization. Since most people spent their times in indoor, indoor air quality modelling can be used in exposure assessment and risk assessment. In this study, indoor $NO_2$ concentration and personal $NO_2$ exposure were estimated by Box Model using mass balance equation and time weighted average, respectively. The estimated indoor $NO_2$ concentration and the personal $NO_2$ exposure were compared by those measured, respectively. Subsequntly, health effect was assessed with these results. Consequently, exposure assessment and risk assessment using indoor air quality model may be considered to be applicable to EIA.

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The Indoor Environmental Quality Improving and Energy Saving Potential of Phase-Change Material Integrated Facades for High-Rise Office Buildings in Shanghai

  • Jin, Qian
    • International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.197-205
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    • 2017
  • The conflict between indoor environmental quality and energy consumption has become an unneglectable problem for highrise office buildings, where occupants' productivity is highly affected by their working environment. An effective Façade, therefore, should play the role of an active building skin by adapting to the ever-changing external environment and internal requirements. This paper explores the energy-saving and indoor environment-improving potential of a phase-change material (PCM) integrated Façade. Building performance simulations, combined with parametric study and sensitivity analysis, are adopted in this research. The result quantifies the potential of a PCM-integrated Façade with different configurations and PCM properties, taking as an example a south-oriented typical office room in Shanghai. It is found that a melting temperature of around $22^{\circ}C$ for the PCM layer is optimal. Compared to a conventional Façade, a PCM-integrated Façade effectively reduces total energy use, peak heating/cooling load, and operative temperature fluctuation during the periods of May-July and November-December.

Characterization of Indoor Air Quality Using multiple Measurements of Nitrogen Dioxide and Volatile Organic Compounds

  • Son, Bu-Soon;Yang, Won-Ho;Sohn, Jong-Ryeal;Kim, Dae-Won;Jung, Soon-Won;Kim, Young-Hee
    • Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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    • 2005.06a
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    • pp.293-298
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    • 2005
  • Indoor air quality can be affected by indoor sources, ventilation, decay and outdoor levels. Although technologies exist to measure these factors, direct measurements are often difficult. The purpose of this study was to develop an alternative method to characterize indoor environmental factors by multiple indoor and outdoor measurements. Indoor and outdoor NO$_2$ and VOCs(benzene, toluene, xylene) concentrations were measured every 3 days for 60 consecutive days in 30 houses in Seoul, Asan and Daegu, Korea. Using a mass balance model and regression analysis, penetration factor (ventilation rate divided by the sum of ventilation rate and deposition constant) and source strength factor (source strength divided by the sum of ventilation rate and deposition constant) were calculated using multiple indoor and outdoor measurements. Subsequently, NO$_2$ and VOCs source strengths (ppb/hr) and deposition constant (K, hr$^{-1}$) were estimated. Deposition constants of NO$_2$, toluene and xylene were 0.98 ${\pm}$ 0.28, 0.71 ${\pm}$ 0.24 and 0.74 ${\pm}$ 0.53 hr$^{-1}$, respectively. Source strengths of NO$_2$, toluene and xylene were 16.28 ${\pm}$ 7.47,31.25 ${\pm}$ 38.45 and 23.45 ${\pm}$ 19.67 ppb/hr, respectively In conclusion, indoor environmental factors were effectively characterized by this method using multiple indoor and outdoor measurements.

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A study on the Measurement and Improving Method of Indoor Air Quality in a Educational Facility (교육시설물의 실내공기질 측정 및 개선방안에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Sung-Kyum;Kim, Jae-On;Cho, Chang-Yeon;Kim, Jong-Rok;Son, Jae-Ho
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Educational Facilities
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.43-52
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    • 2007
  • People spend more than 90% of their time indoor. Nowadays as they are interested in environment much more than before, indoor air pollution has been regarded as new environmental problems. At present, an air quality check is required prior to the completion of construction. However this study shows that the density level of HCHO and VOCs in a classroom was increased after furnishing the classroom. Thus, to measure the quality of air more effectively and accurately, it should be measured after the indoor space are furnished. Newly-built schools are tested for this study. The building sites were investigated to measure and evaluate the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) in newly-built schools. The result of this study can be used as a basis to improve the environment air condition of the educational facilities.

Infant target facilities and facilities for children in elementary school Comparison and Improvement of Indoor Air Quality for Research (영유아 대상 시설의 실내공기질 특성 비교 및 개선방안에 대한 연구)

  • Seo, Byong-Won;Lee, Ju-Hwa;Park, Ji-Hoon;Kang, Seon-Hong
    • Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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    • v.27 no.5
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    • pp.591-601
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    • 2013
  • In modern society, we are living indoor at 80 - 90 % or more of the day, therefore most people are exposed to unconscious indoor air pollutants by various causes. When mother and infant, whose level of immunity are weak, are exposed to polluted indoor air, respiratory diseases and atopy can occur by the growth of bacteria. Therefore, appropriate indoor air quality management is important especially at nursery, elementary school and postpartum clinic etc. In this study, we compared the characteristics of the indoor air qualities of primary school facilities and infant facilities. In this study, seasonal effects were investigated. Also the effects of individual activity area were studied for indoor air quality. During summer season(May-August), the air qualities of each 16 elementary school and nursery school were investigated. During winter season(October-december), the air qualities of each 10 elementary school and nursery school were investigated. As a result, during winter season in 10 of 16 nursery school, $CO_2$ concentration exceeded regulation level of 1000 ppm. This resulted from the operation of heating system and poor ventilation. Also the air quality of all parameters during winter season were worse than during summer, maybe due to poor ventilation. Except HCHO, the concentrations of other parameters were higher in nursery school. This seems to result from relatively low individual activity area of nursery school than elementary school. From this research, more strong regulation for ventilation and installation of air purifier should be implemented.

Photocatalytic Destruction of Chlorinated and Aromatic Hydrocarbons for Low-Level Indoor Air Cleaning (저농도 실내공기 정화를 위한 염소화 및 방향족 탄화수소의 광촉매 분해)

  • Jo, Wan Geun;Gwon, Gi Dong;Choe, Sang Jun;Song, Dong Ik
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.13 no.9
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    • pp.767-777
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    • 2004
  • This study evaluated the technical feasibility of the application of $TiO_2$ photocatalysis for the removal of volatile hydrocarbons(VHC) at low ppb concentrations commonly associated with non-occupational indoor air quality issues. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate five parameters (relative humidity (RH), hydraulic diameter (HD), feeding type (FT) of VHC, photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) reactor material (RM), and inlet port size (IPS) of PCO reactor) for the PCO destruction efficiencies of the selected target VHC. None of the target VHC presented significant dependence on the RH, which are inconsistent with a certain previous study that reported that under conditions of low humidity and a ppm toluene inlet level, there was a drop in the PCO efficiency with decreasing humidity. However, it is noted that the four parameters (HD, RM, FT and IPS) should be considered for better VHC removal efficiencies for the application of $TiO_2$ photocatalytic technology for cleansing non-occupational indoor air. The PCO destruction of VHC at concentrations associated with non-occupational indoor air quality issues can be up to nearly 100%. The amount of CO generated during PCO were a negligible addition to the indoor CO levels. These abilities can make the PCO reactor an important tool in the effort to improve non-occupational indoor air quality.

A Field Survey of Indoor Air Environment of Schools (학교 건물의 실내공기환경 실태조사 연구)

  • Chung, Min-Hee;Jung, Sun-Mi;Kim, Mi-Yeon;Kim, Gun-Woo;Park, Jin-Chul
    • Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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    • v.19 no.12
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    • pp.865-873
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    • 2007
  • Recently there has been more apprehensions about health and environment. Since the concern has been increased, it is realized that students need to study in comfort and clean environment, and plan to study in environmental friendly facilities. Hence it is needed for both indoor air quality performance evaluation and greening facilities in order to plan environmental friendly schools. Accordingly, this study analyzes the indoor air quality throughout field survey of schools to provide preliminary data to develop environmental friendly education facilities. This paper investigates and analyzes indoor environment standards and performances in schools. There will be included 15 existing schools and 5 newly built schools for survey in Seoul and Gyeonggi. Additionally, environmental problems are also investigated and analyzed by occupants' questionnaires through surveys.

A Study on the Design Prototype Development of Underfloor Air-Conditioning System(UFAC) for Improving Indoor Environment (바닥급기 공조시스템(UFAC)을 적용한 작업공간의 실내환경 평가기법 개발연구)

  • 정광섭;한화택
    • Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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    • v.12 no.4
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    • pp.325-336
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    • 2000
  • During the last decade, an increasing interest in Underfloor Air-Conditioning(UFAC) systems has emerged. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate comprehensively the indoor environmental performance of office buildings with UFAC system in order to develope the design prototype of this system. In this paper, the physical measurements and the interviewing survey of occupant's sensation responses to the environment were carried out. Measurements and survey were made of the thermal environmental factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, globe temperature, and the other several environmental factors such as the sound level and the illuminance of working plane, etc. And, the air quality was evaluated by measuring the concentration of suspended particles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide in the room. Furthermore, the paper appraises the various indoor environmental factors of the room by using post-occupancy evaluation(POE) method in office building with UFAC system, and thus, it suggests the basic data for assessing the indoor comfort based on field measurements and survey.

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