Funeral home (FH) preparation rooms pose potential occupational health hazards due to exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during embalming and autopsy procedures. This analytical observational study assessed indoor air quality (IAQ) hygiene conditions in all three funeral homes operating in Grenada using total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations as an exposure indicator. Air sampling was conducted during 18 embalming and autopsy sessions between February and June 2025 using a GrayWolf AdvancedSense Pro monitor with a photoionization detector. Concurrent measurements of hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, temperature, and relative humidity were recorded. A brief survey was administered to embalmers and support staff to assess work-related health symptoms. Mean TVOC concentrations exceeded the German recommended IAQ hygiene guideline of 0.3 mg/m³ in two of the three funeral homes. Funeral home #1 (FH1) recorded the highest geometric mean TVOC concentration (7.7 mg/m³), whereas Funeral home #3 (FH3) maintained the lowest (0.20 mg/m³). Elevated concentrations were associated with inadequate ventilation and smaller room volume. FH3’s continuous fresh air ventilation system-maintained levels below the German IAQ guideline. Self-reported health data from embalmers and reception staff indicated musculoskeletal and respiratory complaints across facilities, though limited sample sizes precluded meaningful comparison between funeral homes or job categories. These results illustrate the practical utility of TVOC measurements in assessing IAQ and provide funeral home directors with valuable guidance on designing and maintaining ventilation systems to safeguard the occupational health of funeral service providers.

Large-scale fulfillment centers present unique challenges in balancing indoor air quality with energy efficiency. This study evaluated reduced ventilation strategies in a 98,600 m2 UK fulfillment center using period-based compliance assessment. Twenty wireless sensors monitored CO2, PM2.5, and TVOCs across three ventilation scenarios over 12 days. Period-based compliance assessment across 57 shift periods showed 93.0% maintained full regulatory standards, with the optimized periodic ventilation scenario achieving 100% compliance. Periodic fresh air bursts (15-minute cycles every 4 hours) maintained air quality while achieving 70-75% energy reduction. Results suggest substantial energy savings may be achievable without compromising worker safety.

Classification of vehicle engines using the chemical composition of the exhaust from these engines can be used to identify the engine’s design and verify compliance with environmental regulations through the vehicle’s emissions. This paper describes a method to identify the type of vehicles using machine learning (ML), where low-cost MQ series sensors measure the gases and particle emissions from a vehicle exhaust system, while simultaneously collecting and measuring the vehicle’s temperature and humidity levels. A custom-designed multi-sensor exhaust sensing module is employed to capture real-time exhaust emissions prior to entering the atmosphere. Exhaust samples are collected from vehicles representing three major engine categories: petrol, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG). In addition, fresh air samples are collected as a baseline environmental reference for comparison. All exhaust measurements are collected under controlled and consistent engine operating conditions to ensure comparable emission profiling across vehicle classes. To ensure consistent combustion-based emission profiling, this study focuses on conventional fuel-powered vehicles. MQ-series gas sensors are sensitive to combustion by-products emitted during engine operation, such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), while also exhibiting cross-sensitivity to other gaseous components present in exhaust mixtures. Nevertheless, the proposed system performs pattern-based classification using relative sensor response signatures. Standardization of data is achieved through z-score normalization. The best models developed (based on three separate experimental designs) are trained and validated using six supervised machine learning algorithms such as Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (RBF), k-Nearest Neighbors, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, and XGBoost and are compared against one another. Evaluation of the tested algorithms using various evaluation metrics demonstrated that ensemble models outperformed all other algorithms, achieving the highest accuracy of 99.5%. Furthermore, noise analysis confirms that the proposed solution maintains high classification accuracy (more than 89%) even under substantial sensor perturbations mimicking the real-world deployment. The solution proposed below illustrates how using gas sensors and advanced algorithms can provide accurate exhaust identification and identify engines in real-time.

The progressive tightening of building regulations is reducing heating and cooling demands. As a result, ventilation (previously a secondary energy use) has become increasingly relevant. In Spain, current regulations mandate air-to-air heat recovery with minimum effectiveness and maximum pressure drop thresholds, but they are based primarily on airflow and operating hours, overlooking local climatic variability. This study evaluates the energy performance of ventilation systems equipped with Rotary Heat Recovery Wheels (RHRWs) in five representative Spanish climatic zones using the simulation tool TRNSYS . The analysis considers heating, cooling, and evaporative cooling modes following typical tertiary-building operating schedules and various RHRW effectiveness levels. A novel performance metric, E r a t i o (defined as electricity use per cubic meter of fresh air supplied), proved useful for cross-climate comparisons. In heating mode, E r a t i o ranged from 1.5 Wh e /m 3 in colder zones to 1.0 Wh e /m 3 in milder ones. In cooling mode, hotter climates reached 1.0 Wh e /m 3 , while colder zones stayed below 0.5 Wh e /m 3 . Evaporative cooling achieved over 50% energy savings in hot climates, though it required significant water consumption. A key contribution is the development of robust correlations between E r a t i o , standardized climatic indicators — Heating Degree-Days (HDD 18 ° C ), Cooling Degree-Hours (CDH 18 ° C , CDH 27 ° C ) — and heat recovery effectiveness, providing a predictive framework for ventilation system design. • Ventilation energy use in tertiary buildings was assessed across 5 Spanish locations. • The simulation tool TRNSYS was used to estimate the performance of the system. • Rotary heat recovery wheels performance was assessed under heating and cooling modes. • Strong correlations found between ventilation energy use and HDD/CDH climate metrics. • Evaporative cooling saved > 50% energy in hotter climates, with water use trade-off.

Investigation of fresh air supply strategies and airflow rates for radiant air-conditioned rooms

Outdoor exercise supports physical, mental, and social wellbeing. However, exposure to air pollution during activity can increase cardiorespiratory risk. The Royal College of Physicians (A Breath of Fresh Air, 2025) urges clinicians to address environmental determinants of health, including air quality, during routine care, including annual checks. Patients increasingly use digital tools providing air-quality data and actionable behavioural recommendations, yet the quality, evidence base, and integration of these tools into clinical workflows remain unclear. To evaluate digital tools that help patients modify exercise behaviour based on air-pollution exposure to inform the development of a custom chatbot to support exercise counselling in primary care. A scoping review of app libraries, grey literature, and peer-reviewed studies identified digital tools providing air-quality data with actionable exercise recommendations. Data extraction covered functionality, pollutants, validation, and quality using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTTv1). Seven tools were identified: IQAir, Plume Labs, BreezoMeter, EPA AirNow, PurpleAir, airTEXT, and AirTrack. MARS scores ranged from 2.9 to 4.3 (mean = 3.6/5.0), highest for functionality and aesthetics but lower for information accuracy and engagement. Behaviour change content was limited to general health information, and no tools demonstrated formal validation or clinical integration. Existing tools provide accessible air-quality data but lack individualised recommendations for exercise. Insights informed a custom chatbot embedding air-quality and exercise advice into GP cardiorespiratory annual reviews. Next steps include further development of the custom chatbot and pilot implementation in general practice to assess feasibility, clinician uptake, and patient outcomes.

This was a still life painting, captured from a moment in the famous Nice market in France. Upon entering the market I was immediately struck with the vibrant colors and the eclectic atmosphere. The colors of the fruits, the trinkets, the jams and honey along with the fragrant fresh ocean air and the background chatter of passersby made for an indescribably pleasant moment.

ABSTRACT This study simultaneously measured in-cabin and ambient air quality in a passenger car under real-world driving conditions to evaluate the influence of different ventilation modes (recirculation, fresh air, and open windows) on the cabin concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM). A single passenger car was tested in order to control for confounding factors related to vehicle design. Ventilation efficiencies were quantitatively assessed using air changes per hour (ACH), estimated using the carbon dioxide (CO2) mass balance method. Results showed that the recirculation mode effectively suppressed the infiltration of ambient fine particles (PM2.5), with I/O ratios ranging from 0.10 to 0.13. However, due to inadequate ventilation (ACH ≈3.2–3.5 h− 1), cabin CO2 concentration surpassed 4000 ppm. In contrast, the fresh air mode significantly increased ACH to 55–66 h−1, keeping CO2 concentrations below 1000 ppm. However, both fresh air and open-window modes led to a pronounced increase in cabin concentrations of PM and VOCs. Of the detected VOCs, acetone, ethanol, and formaldehyde had I/O ratios >1, suggesting in-cabin sources, whereas benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and MTBE had I/O <1, indicating the presence of their dominant sources outside the vehicle cabin. These findings indicate a trade-off between reducing exposure to ambient pollutants and maintaining adequate ventilation, highlighting the need for optimized cabin ventilation strategies that balance ventilation, occupant comfort, and cabin air quality. Implications: When ventilation systems are inadequately designed or operated, vehicle cabins may become highly polluted microenvironments, exposing occupants to elevated levels of air pollutants due to the infiltration of roadside air contaminated by vehicle exhaust, emissions from in-cabin sources, and the confined nature of the cabin space. The observed trade-off between minimizing exposure to pollutants and ensuring sufficient ventilation highlights the need for optimized cabin ventilation strategies that balance air exchange, occupant comfort, and in-cabin air quality.

In this study, fluid flow and heat and mass transfer are numerically analyzed in a sawtooth roof slot-ventilated enclosure to optimize the removal of contaminants and thermal energy generated by a thermosolutal source and a wall heater. Fresh cold air is supplied through dual inlets on the left and right vertical walls, while heat and contaminants passively exit through a chimney outlet with an inclination angle δ1 located at the upper-left corner. A semi-implicit finite volume-based staggered grid approach is employed to solve the nonlinear coupled flow governing equations to analyze the flow physics associated with entropy formation. Various compact sawtooth roof-shaped geometries with dual-inlet ports are considered using several key performance metrics to determine the ventilation efficiency. The performance of the outlet chimney is evaluated through variation in the inclination angle (δ1) with a fixed roof inclination angle (δ2) of 9 deg. The influence of Reynolds numbers, Richardson numbers, and roof inclination angles is measured by performance metrics such as the average Nusselt, Sherwood, and Bejan numbers; air changes per hour; cooling efficiency coefficient; and the performance evaluation criterion inside the enclosure. Correlations for the Nusselt number (Nuavg) and Sherwood number (Shavg) are established with respect to the Reynolds number (Re), Richardson number (Ri), and the roof inclination angle (δ2), and it is observed that the confidence bound is 95% in efficiency for heat and mass transfer.

Household transmission risks can be especially high for respiratory viral diseasesand have impactful economic and public health consequences. The study objective was to estimate influenza and rhinovirus infection risks for a child sharing a bedroom with another infected child using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach. The scenario was two recumbent children lying on twin-sized beds in a 25.5 m3 bedroom for 6 h. The infected individual released virus-laden aerosols under scenarios: Low and high severity shedding. Rhinovirus and influenza A virus (H1N1 and H3N2) dose-response curves were used to estimate infection risks. Infection risks were highest for rhinovirus, >0.99 regardless of viral shedding intensity. High severity settings yielded risks 1.5 and 0.9 log10 higher for H3N2 and H1N1 infection risks, respectively. A plume formed from the infected individuals exhaled breath to the susceptible individual's face, which may explain, in part, the high risks estimated. While settings for tidal breathing did not disrupt the formation of this plume, increased air exchange rate did. Respiratory viral infection risks can be high in shared bedroom scenarios, especially with low fresh air ventilation and alignment of furniture such that plumes can form between the faces of individuals.

Terrestrial biodiversity's rapid decline demands expansion of high-resolution biomonitoring to support science-based policy. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has proven effective in aquatic systems but remains underexplored for terrestrial habitats, partly due to point-source sampling bias and difficulty in upscaling. Air has emerged as a promising substrate, yet most studies use active samplers which tend to be expensive, bulky, and require power, potentially hindering broad deployment. We present a newly developed, inexpensive, reusable, and easy-to-use passive approach (Nutshell eDNA sampler) to capture eDNA suspended in air across time (6-96 h) within Rotterdam Zoo, the Netherlands. Its performance was compared with two commonly used active airborne eDNA samplers for vertebrate diversity detection. In total, 88 species were detected, including 24 zoo residents. The Nutshell eDNA sampler was the most effective at detecting zoo residents, surpassing active samplers in species richness within 48 h and continuing to accumulate new species beyond 96 h, including detections of both patchy and singleton signals. It also detected the furthest species signal (515 m). Zoo airborne eDNA further demonstrated a positive correlation to species total biomass, suggesting larger vertebrates or populations release proportionately more DNA into the air. Our findings indicate that for long, unsupervised biomonitoring, passive airborne eDNA sampling presents a promising approach for assessing vertebrate communities and putatively reduces detection noise in stochastic air eDNA signals due to its signal integration. While deeper investigations into airborne eDNA sampling strategies are needed, passive methods can offer a much-needed logistically flexible, low-maintenance approach compared with short-burst collection strategies employed by many active samplers.

Garden visits have evolved from a simple appreciation of plants and flowers to a multifaceted experience encompassing social, intellectual, and personal dimensions. Historically, tourism focused on providing new and unique experiences, but modern garden attractions now cater to visitors seeking fresh air, picturesque landscapes, recreational activities, and local produce. Botanical gardens (BGs) play a key role in education and sustainable development, prompting Cebu's garden attractions to redesign their offerings and assess visitor readiness to embrace these changes. This study employed a quantitative design with unpurposive sampling and descriptive statistics to explore the environmental awareness, experiences, and motivations of garden visitors. The results of a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant differences between visitor demographics and environmental awareness, suggesting that awareness of environmental issues transcends demographic profiles. Visitors recognized the role of BGs in preserving and conserving flora. Notably, those who expected visitor education centers demonstrated greater environmental awareness and motivation. The findings highlight the importance of integrating educational programs into botanic gardens to enhance visitor experiences and promote environmental awareness, positioning these gardens as centers of leisure and learning.

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of pneumonia in preschool children in Haikou City and assess the correlates of indoor environmental factors on this condition. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2020 to January 2021. Using a stratified random sampling method, eight kindergartens in Haikou City were selected for a questionnaire-based investigation. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors for Pneumonia in Preschool Children. The prevalence of pneumonia among the 3,049 preschool children was 20.44%. This study reveals that pneumonia in preschool children is influenced by both modifiable environmental exposures and non-modifiable host factors. Among the key modifiable associated factors​ within the household, paternal smoking(OR = 1.253, P = 0.030) and keeping furry pets(OR = 1.713, P = 0.017) significantly increased the risk, whereas the use of a fresh air filtration system(OR = 0.566, P = 0.018) showed a strong protective effect. These actionable findings​ suggest that targeted interventions, such as promoting air filtration and reducing indoor airborne pollutants from smoking and pets, could effectively lower disease prevalence. Additionally, non-modifiable factors​ like female sex (OR = 0.823, P = 0.036)and a family history of allergies (OR = 1.423, P < 0.001) help identify children who may benefit most from such environmental interventions. Pneumonia in preschool children is associated with various factors, including demographic characteristics, exposure to tobacco smoke, pet ownership, and the presence of air filtration systems in the home. This study found that avoiding these associated factors may reduce the prevalence of pneumonia.

In this paper, an experimental study was conducted on a Kirloskar four stroke, water cooled DI diesel engine fuelled with neat Prospis Juliflora-biodiesel operating with diaphragm Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). The fresh air entering the combustion chamber is partially displaced by exhaust gas during EGR operation. The experimental procedure was adopted for evaluating the performance, emission and combustion parameters of a diesel engine with 5%, 10% and 15% EGR rates. The required parameters were measured for different loads for all tested fuels. The experimental results revealed that, B20 (biodiesel 20%) blend at different EGR flow rates performed closer to those of diesel. B20 blend at 15% EGR produced closer efficiency along with decreased NOx emission when compared to diesel.

Smelling decides: fMRI evidence reveals the influence of olfactory stimuli on risky decision-making.

Dream of a home that breathes? A space filled with calm and fresh air? Yes we can have One How? That’s why I am here. Creating a vibrant, healthy living environment often feels like a big job. But what if the secret lay in something small, something you could hold in your hands? Small potted plants offer a simple, powerful way to upgrade your home environment. These green friends do more than just look pretty. They actively work to clean your air, lower stress, and make your home feel alive. Starting with a few small plants is simple, even if you're new to plant care. They offer big benefits without needing a huge commitment. This paper will show you how plants impact your home and mind. We'll explore their hidden powers and teach you how to pick the best ones. You'll also learn the easy steps to keep them happy and how to style them beautifully. Get ready to turn your home into a greener, healthier haven.

Why populations persist in active volcanic zones poses a fundamental challenge to risk perception models. We propose that perceptual advantages wherein tangible and intangible benefits filtered through local worldviews underpin this resilience. Through a thematic analysis of an open-ended question/answer study of communities in Mount Semeru, Indonesia, we identify six core frameworks of perceptual advantages. Analysis of Multiple Response Categorical Variable (MRCV) reveals that residents of high-risk zones cognitively amplify bio-cultural and livelihood benefits, showing significantly higher odds of emphasizing BIRTH/FAMILY (lineage/kin ties, birthright, and deep social networks that create an intergenerational connection to the land) and ECONOMIC (livelihood opportunities, including agriculture and volcano-driven tourism) advantages, while safe-zone residents prioritize ambient CLIMATE-related benefits (a preferred quality of life attributed to the region’s cool, fresh air and superior air quality). Crucially, the influence of gender is context-dependent, as significant disparities in perception vanish within the high-risk zone. In this environment, the shared experience of chronic volcanic threat supersedes gender distinction to foster a "community of fate". Within this collective, a shared risk-benefit calculus and a unified identity override individual perspectives. These findings demonstrate that persistence in hazardous environments reflects an active cognitive recalibration of risk and benefit, necessitating disaster policies that integrate these perceptual realities.

Seasonal study of radon concentrations in a uranium mine: A CFD comparison between natural and forced ventilation

Impact of fresh air parameters on thermal comfort and particulate matter removal in floor-heated rooms during winter

A ventilated vertical greenery system for energy-efficient fresh air cooling: model development and implementation