Indoor Air Quality in Green vs. Non-green Homes

Abstract

Background: Green building features are designed to have a minimal negative impact on the environment and reduce energy consumption. However, the indoor air quality (IAQ) within green buildings has not yet been quantified. We assessed the indoor air quality in 20 green-renovated and 20 control apartments in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. A 5-day IAQ assessment in each home included measurement of temperature, relative humidity and ventilation as well as concentrations of fine particles, allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pesticides. Aims: Determine how green renovation features affect the indoor air quality Methods: Temperature and relative humidity were monitored using continuous data loggers. Sampling for particle mass ? 2.5 µm (PM2.5) was conducted using single-stage Personal Modular Impactors with 37-mm, 2.0-µm pore-size PTFE membrane filters. VOC sampling was performed using passive diffusion dosimeters and pesticide samples were collected from kitchen floor by wiping. Dust samples were vacuumed from beds and kitchen floors and analyzed for allergens.Results: Preliminary data obtained immediately after renovation shows that relative humidity and formaldehyde levels were significantly higher in green vs. non-green homes (p=0.04). In contrast, isopropyl alcohol levels were significantly higher in non-green homes (p=0.05). Overall, there were higher detectable levels of pesticides in non-green vs. green homes. Additionally, we identified a trend of higher PM2.5levels in green homes (p=0.08). Higher concentrations of allergens were observed in non-green homes though the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The baseline data immediately after renovation shows conflicting trends between green-renovated and renovated homes for different indoor pollutants. Follow-up sampling performed 6 and 12 months after renovation may help identify how the IAQ will change in green-renovated homes over time.