Abstract
The effect of enhanced filtration on protection citizens staying indoor against airborne radionuclides released during nuclear core melt accidents was determined by field measurements using outdoor particles as simulants. An electrically enhanced filter was installed in the HVAC system of an office building and its removal efficiency for particles was altered by using a separate particle charging section in power on and off positions. The effect of air filtration on indoor particle concentrations was determined by using an automated measurement system which was continuously sampling from the outdoor air, filtered supply air and exhaust air. With the aid of the measured outdoor and modelled indoor concentrations the indoor/outdoor ratio of particles of outdoor origin could be accurately determined. External charging of the particles increased the electret filters removal efficiency for 0.4 µrn size particles from 60% to 95%, resulting in decrease of the average I/O ratio of the same size particles from 0.67 to 0.40. Despite the high improvement in the supply air filtration efficiency the indoor concentrations decreased only modestly which is likely due to the leaky construction of the building, demonstrating the detrimental effect of air infiltration on the protection provided by buildings against outdoor airborne hazards. Practical implications: The developed method allows quantification of the key parameters affecting the protection of buildings against outdoor contaminants, thus allowing accurate estimation of size resolved indoor to outdoor ratios for fine particles. The electrically enhanced filter can remove effectively also submicron particles thus reducing the occupant exposure to outdoor hazardous or harmful materials. Best results can be achieved with airtight buildings.
Highlights
Intentional or unintentional use of hazardous materials, like chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosives (CBRNe), in order to realize criminal, terrorist or military acts is an increasing risk for population
The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss such data obtained during a study of the influence of high efficiency filtration on the indoor particle pollution levels
The charging of particles had a significant effect on the removal efficiency especially for the fine particles: the efficiency for 0.4 μm sized particles increased from 59% to 96%
Summary
Intentional or unintentional use of hazardous materials, like chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosives (CBRNe), in order to realize criminal, terrorist or military acts is an increasing risk for population. Since each state owns priority in providing security for people staying on the territory of its administration, the increasing risk of CBRNe requires high level of politicians, crisis managers, first responders and society engagement. Another aspect of building society resilience to CBRNe threats is implementation of new technologies. Research institutes and commercial companies are constantly working on such new products, it is highly important to know how effective are these solutions?
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