• Title/Summary/Keyword: Indoor pollutants

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A Review of Scientific Evidence on Indoor Air of School Building: Pollutants, Sources, Health Effects and Management

  • Chithra, V.S;Shiva, Nagendra S.M
    • Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.87-108
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    • 2018
  • Schools are one of the critical social infrastructures in a society, the first place for social activity and the most important indoor environment for children besides the home. Poor IAQ in classrooms can increase the chance of long-term and short-term health problems for students and staffs; affects productivity of teachers; and degrade the student learning environment and comfort levels. The primary objective of this paper is to review and summarize available scientific evidence on indoor air quality of schools and related health effects in children. It was found that the indoor air pollutant levels in school buildings varied over a wide range in different parts of the world depending on site characteristics, climatic conditions, outdoor pollution levels, occupant activities, ventilation type and building practices. Among the indoor air pollutants, particulate matter concentrations were found to be very high in many schools. Outdoor pollutant sources also play a major role in affecting the IAQ of the school building. Hence, scientific knowledge on sources of indoor pollutants, quantification of emissions, temporal and spatial dispersion of pollutants, toxicological properties, chemical and morphological characteristics of the pollutants and associated health risk among children in the school buildings are essential to evaluate the adequacy and cost effectiveness of control strategies for mitigating the IAQ issues.

The Effect of Ventilation and Concentration of Indoor Air Quality at Indoor Parking Lots (실내주차장의 실내공기질 농도특성 및 환기에 의한 저감효과)

  • Park, Jeong-Ho
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.241-247
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    • 2010
  • Recently, indoor air quality (IAQ) has been one of the major concerns of people. Indoor parking lots are subject to be exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants emitted from vehicles. This study was performed to investigate indoor air quality (IAQ) at indoor parking lots. Sampling sites were selected 5 indoor parking lots. Target indoor air quality parameters include a number of criteria pollutants such PM$_{10}$, CO, CO$_2$, and HCHO. In addition, a variation of IAQ according to ventilation system operating was measured at C site (underground parking lot). In general, all pollutants were maintained below indoor air quality maintenance standards. The indoor air quality at indoor parking lots was affected by the availability of the ventilation facility and their operation frequency. At the underground parking lot (C site) with ventilation system, TVOC concentration according to ventilation system operating were found to be lower operating (488.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$) than non-operating (1,401.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$).

Recent Advances in Titania-based Composites for Photocatalytic Degradation of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds

  • Raza, Nadeem;Kim, Ki-Hyun;Agbe, Henry;Kailasa, Suresh Kumar;Szulejko, Jan E.;Brown, Richard J.C.
    • Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.11 no.4
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    • pp.217-234
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    • 2017
  • Indoor air pollutants can cause severe health problems, specifically in terms of toxicological impacts on human. Every day, a complex mixture of many air pollutants is emitted from various sources and subject to atmospheric processes that can create varied classes of pollutants such as carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and hydrocarbons. To adhere to indoor air quality standards, a number of techniques such as photocatalytic oxidation of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been employed. Among these techniques, titania ($TiO_2$) based photocatalytic reactions have proven to be the best benchmark standard approach in the field of environmental applications. Over the last 45 years, $TiO_2$-based photocatalytic reactions have been explored for the degradation of various pollutants. This review discusses the indoor air quality profile, types of indoor pollutants, available indoor air cleaning approaches, and performance of $TiO_2$-based catalysts. Finally, we have presented the perspectives on the progress of $TiO_2$ induced photocatalysis for the purification of indoor air.

Measurement of Classroom Air Quality in large cities in autumn (가을철 도심지역 학교교사의 실내환경 측정연구)

  • Kim, Yun-Deok;Seo, Dong-Yeon
    • KIEAE Journal
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    • v.10 no.3
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    • pp.37-42
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    • 2010
  • Together with the concern about the indoor air quality as sick house syndrome, the Ministry of Environment announced "Indoor Air Quality Control Law for the Multi Purpose Facility," which made the interests to be focused in the urgent understanding of current condition and preparation of measures about the indoor air pollution. The law was revised to obligatorily notify the amount of Formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds in the case of newly constructed apartments with more than 100 houses. School also have its own indoor air quality guideline. Indoor air quality in school is very important because, children who very weak to indoor pollutants reside long time in there. The purpose of this paper is to to survey indoor air quality in school by field measurement. Field measurements were performed in 11 schools which were selected from 3 major cities(Incheon, Dae-jeon, chuncheon) in korea, Totally concentration of indoor pollutants were determined in 32 classroom. Target air pollutants were TVOC, formaldehyde, dust, CO, CO2. For the result of this investigation, Indoor air quality in classroom was very poor and it was found that some pollutants(TVOC, float bacteria) exceed the guideline.

Measurement of Classroom Air Quality in large cities in summer (여름철 대도심 학교교실의 실내공기환경 측정연구)

  • Kim, Yun-Deok
    • Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.63-74
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    • 2007
  • Together with the concern about the indoor all quality as sick house syndrome, the Ministry of Environment announced "Indoor Air Quality Control Law for the Multi Purpose Facility," which made the interests to be focused in the urgent understanding of current condition and preparation of measures about the indoor air pollution. In Dec 2005, the law was revised to obligatorily notify the amount of Formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds in the case of newly constructed apartments with more than 100 houses. School also have its own indoor air quality guideline, Indoor air quality in school is very important because, children who very weak to indoor pollutants reside long time in there. The purpose of this paper is to survey indoor air qualify in school by field measurement. Field measurements were performed in 11 schools which were selected from 3 major cities(Incheon, Dae-jeon, chuncheon) in korea, during July, 2004. Totally concentration of Indoor pollutants were determined in 27 classroom. Target air pollutants were TVOC, formaldehyde, dust, CO, CO2 and NO2. For the result of this investigation, Indoor air quality in classroom was very poor and it was found that some pollutants (TVOC, float bacteria) exceed the guideline.

Exposure Characteristics of Indoor Air Pollutants in Some Local Pubic Buses (IoT 기반 시내버스 실내공기질 노출 특성)

  • Kim, Ho-Hyun
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.48 no.1
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    • pp.44-51
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    • 2022
  • Background: Air pollution is increasing together with industrialization and urbanization. In order to reduce air pollution, public transportation is recommended rather than private cars, and the number of passengers using public transportation is increasing accordingly. This study observes the concentration of indoor pollutants in city buses over time. Through this means, we intend to suggest a plan to manage the indoor air quality in city buses. Objectives: The concentration of indoor pollution in public transportation was investigated from April 2021 to January 2022. Based on this, we evaluated the exposure to indoor pollutants. Methods: Six city bus lines in an industrial city were selected for the research, and indoor pollution was measured through IoT (Internet of Things)-based sensor-type measuring devices. The concentration of pollutants was measured every minute, and statistical data were constructed based on the measurement results. Results: In all the city buses studied, the average concentration of pollutants were below the guidelines. However, some measurement results showed cases of exceeding the guidelines. As a result of the analysis by time zone, there were more cases in which pollutants exceeded the standard value during rush hour compared to at other times. A risk assessment for PM10 was performed by evaluating the excess mortality risk from exposure and the risk from inhalation exposure. Conclusions: All measured indoor pollutants in the city buses did not exceed the guidelines. Also, the risk assessment results were found to be within the level of safety. However, if a city bus is used for a long time, there is a possibility that there may be an impact on the human body due to inhalation exposure, so additional management is required.

Present and Future Perspectives of Studies on Indoor Air Quality (室內空氣質 硏究의 現況과 展望)

  • 김윤신
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.15 no.4
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    • pp.371-383
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    • 1999
  • This paper discusses the importance of indoor air quality based on literaure review of domestic and foreign studies. A number of international efforts to propose standards and guidelines for indoor environmental quality are also reviewed. The pattern of major studies on indoor air quality focussed on characterizaton of gaseous pollutants, particulates, and other specific pollutants during the past decades, whereas VOCs, specific carcinogen, and microbiological agents might be good target pollutants to investigate the effects of human health in recent years. Management of indoor air quality requires a different approach than that adopted for outdoor air. Adequate ventilation of the indoor environment is essential, and a balance between energy conservation and the need for good air quality is required. The ways for managing indoor air quality that will be of great importance are discussed a role of control policy for guidance on how to achieve good indoor air quality.

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Concentrations of Criteria Pollutants in Indoor and Ambient Air of Public Facilities in Taegu Area (대구지역 공중이용시설의 실내 $\cdot$ 외 공기 중 기준성오염물질의 농도)

  • 송희봉;민경섭;한개희;김종우;백성옥
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.12 no.4
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    • pp.429-439
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    • 1996
  • A comprehensive air quality monitoring was carried out in this study to investigate the concentrations of criteria air pollutants in indoor and outdoor air of public facilities in Taegu area. Four different kinds of public facilities were seleced as sampling sites, which are underground stores, stations & terminals, general hospitals, and department stores. Each group of the public facilities was consisted of three different sampling sites. As a consequence, a total of 12 different sampling sites were surveyed throughout this study. Sampling was conducted simultaneously indoors, three times per day (in the morning, afternoon, and evening) and four times per year (spring, summer, fall, and winter) at each sampling site during the period of October 1994 to July 1995. A range of criteria pollutants were measured in order to obtain a broad profile of indoor and ambient air quality, including total suspended particles (TSP), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), formaldehyde (HCHO), sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$), and nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$). In addition, temperature, relative humidity, and air current were measured on site together with those air pollutants. Results of this study indicated that the indoor levels of TSP, CO, $SO_2, and NO_2$ appeared to be generally higher in stations/terminals and underground stores than those in department stores and hospitals. However, HCHO and $CO_2$ were found to have higher levels in the department stores and hospitals than other places, indicating that the effects of indoor sources for these pollutants are significantly different from other combustion related pollutants such as TSP, CO, and $SO_2$. It was also found that there are marked seasonal and daily variations both in indoor and outdoor air quality. In general, combustion related pollutants such as CO, $SO_2$ and $NO_2$ showed a typical pattern of higher levels in winter than insummer, and also higher in the morning and/or in the evening than in the afternoon. However, the seasonal and daily patterns of HCHO appeared to be opposite to the combustion related pollutants, i.e., higher both in summer and in the afternoon, implying the effect of temperature on the volatilization from indoor sources of HCHO. Results of correlation analyses between indoor and outdoor air quality also indicated that the effects of outdoor sources on the indoor levels of TSP, $SO_2$, CO, and $NO_2$ and much significant, whilst no significant correlations between indoor and outdoor levels were found for HCHO and $CO_2$.

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Adsorption Properties of Indoor Air Pollutants in Blast Furnace Slag Matrix with Active Alumina Gel (활성 알루미나 겔을 혼입한 고로슬래그 경화체의 실내오염물질 흡착 특성)

  • Park, Chae-Wool;Lee, Sang-Soo
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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    • 2019.11a
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    • pp.29-30
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    • 2019
  • The indoor air quality of modern people who work indoors more than 80 percent a day has also become a very important factor in their lives. But most indoor air quality is highly polluted due to energy conservation and lack of ventilation. This can lead to pneumonia, asthma and even lung cancer, which can be fatal to children, the elderly and the elderly. Indoor pollutants are caused by boards, wallpaper, paint, etc. used in interior By producing indoor finishing materials using active alumina gel, which is used as dehumidifier, indoor pollutants will be reduced and the possibility of developing respiratory diseases and lung cancer will be reduced.

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An Investigation of Indoor Air Quality of Public Transportation System in Seoul City (서울시의 대중교통수단내 실내공기질에 대한 연구)

  • 김윤신;홍승철;전준민
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.28-38
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    • 1994
  • The objective of this study were to measure concentrations of indoor pollutants in public transportation systems to provide importance of indoor air quality in transportation systems to policy makers. Indoor air quality of the pollutants (CO, CO$_2$, PM-10) and environmental sources (temperature, humidity) were measured at subway, seat-type bus, and city-type bus in the Seoul area from April to September 1992. The same pollutants and environmental sources were also measured at selected bus stops and subway stations during October 1991-September 1992. The mean concentrations of indoor pollutants in the public transportation systems were showed 115.5 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in PM-10, 6.8 ppm in CO, and 2167.9 ppm in CO$_2$, respectively. The mean values of PM-10 and CO showed below the U.S. 24 hour standard value of PM-10 and the Korea ambient CO standard, while the mean concentrations of CO$_2$ exceeded the Korea CO$_2$ standard. The highest levels of indoor concentration at public transportation systems were PM-10 of 134.6 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in the subway, CO of 8.9 ppm in the city-type bus, CO$_2$ of 2,511.1ppm in seat-type bus, respectively. The results showed that indoor air quality in bus and subway seemed likely to be affected by number of passengers and outdoor air infiltrated from exhausted gases of automobiles.

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