Indoor Air Quality Guidelines Research Articles

The Risk Screening for Indoor Air Pollution Chemicals in Japan

In recent years, public health problems caused by indoor air pollution have been drawing strong public concern in Japan. After conducting extensive exposure assessment, governmental agencies have taken effective measures to solve the problem; for instance, "Guidelines for indoor air quality (IAQ)" of 13 chemicals, for example, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene, has been established. Thousands of chemicals have been identified in the indoor environment. Priority rating of those chemicals, however, was not based on the health risk level. We developed a risk-screening scheme for indoor air pollution chemicals and analyzed the current status of the risk levels of those chemicals in Japan. We researched scientific knowledge of health hazards and exposure surveys of indoor air pollution chemicals in Japan, and classified those chemicals based on the health risk level estimated from the scheme. The risk levels of 93 chemicals were characterized and six chemicals (formaldehyde, acrolein, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, benzene, tetrachloroethylene, and benzo(a)pyrene) were classified in the highest risk category.

Determinants of indoor benzene in Europe

This study identified the key determinants associated with the indoor benzene concentrations that were measured between 1996 and 2000 using the EXPOLIS protocol in the residences of six European cities, including Athens (Greece), Basel (Switzerland), Helsinki (Finland), Milan (Italy), Oxford (United Kingdom), and Prague (Czech Republic). Two consecutive days of home indoor and home outdoor measurements of benzene were carried out at the homes of adult participants on different dates and seasons during the sampling period. Regression models, with interactions searched by all-possible subset method, were used to assess the city effects and the determinants of home indoor benzene (adjusted R 2=0.57, n=412). Outdoor benzene concentrations, outdoor temperature, wind speed, the use of anti-moth products, and indoor smoking in terms of number of cigarettes consumed per day were shown to be the key determinants of indoor benzene concentrations. The model was further used to predict the indoor benzene levels in cities. Non-linear relationships were commonly found, indicating that a unit change in the indoor concentration cannot be simply estimated by a proportional change of the determinant, and the pattern of relationships could be differed in different places. This finding is important in formulating indoor air quality guidelines as well as calculating an accurate health risk estimate based on the estimates of population's lifetime exposure levels.

Daily and Peak 1 h Indoor Air Pollution and Driving Factors in a Rural Chinese Village

We investigate wintertime indoor air quality and personal exposures to carbon monoxide (CO) in a rural village in Jilin province, where relatively homogeneous climatic and sociocultural factors facilitate investigation of household structural, fuel-related, and behavioral determinants of air pollution as well as relationships between different measures of air quality. Our time-resolved wintertime measurements of carbon monoxide and respirable particles (RSP) enable exploration of peak pollution periods in a village in Jilin Province, China, characterized by household use of both coal and biomass, as well as several "improved" (gas or electric) fuels. Our data indicate a 6-fold increase in peak 1 h PM (1.9 mg/m3) concentrations relative to 24 h mean PM (0.31 mg/m3). Peak 1 h CO concentrations (20.5 ppm) routinely approached and often (27%) exceeded the World Health Organization's 1 h guideline of 26 ppm, although the vast majority (95%) of kitchens were within China's residential indoor air quality guideline for CO on a 24 h basis. Choice of heating fuel and household smoking status were significant predictors of indoor air quality. Whether solid or "improved" (gas or electric) fuel was used for cooking had an even stronger effect, but in the opposite direction from expected, on both peak and daily average measures of air pollution. Peak pollution period concentrations of CO and PM were strongly correlated to daily concentrations of CO and RSP, respectively. Our results suggestthat due to the primary role of heating as a determinant of wintertime indoor air quality in northern Chinese villages, health-oriented interventions limited to provision of improved cooking fuel are insufficient. Our results illustrate that peak pollution periods may routinely exceed exposure regulations and evacuation limits, although this and previous studies document typical 24 h CO concentrations in rural Chinese kitchens to be within guidelines. Within a given village and for a given pollutant, daily pollutant concentrations may be strong predictors of peak pollution period concentrations.

諸外国の室内空気質規制に関する調査研究 : 室内空気質ガイドラインと汚染源対策

諸外国の室内空気質規制に関する調査研究 : 室内空気質ガイドラインと汚染源対策

Indoor Air Quality Guidelines and Standards - A State of the Art Review

It is only fairly recently that scientific and public concerns have focused on the probable health risk that the presence of air pollutants can cause in residential or non-industrial buildings. Several reasons have contributed to the deterioration of indoor air quality (IAQ) including some aspects of trends in the construction sector, most important of which are the design of buildings with increased air tightness for the sake of energy conservation but also the use of innovative building materials based on complex synthetic chemical substances. The degradation of indoor microenvironments and the realization of the possible risks that may occur due to the combination of anthropogenic indoor activities and of long term exposure, even to low air pollutant concentrations, activated the scientific community and the involved organisations to face the IAQ problem. The development and application of IAQ guidelines and standards are the result of these efforts. After several regressions, the world community seems to agree on the adoption of an integrated building approach, when establishing IAQ guidelines and standards, as the most appropriate method to accomplish both acceptable IAQ and energy conservation. The developments that led to the current state of the art are discussed in this paper.

Investigation of indoor air pollution by chlorpyrifos: Determination of chlorpyrifos in indoor air and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol in residents’ urine as an exposure index

We carried out an investigation to clarify the real state of indoor air pollution by chlorpyrifos (termiticide) and exposure to chlorpyrifos of residents by measuring its urinary metabolite 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) as an exposure index, such as biological monitoring. The investigation was conducted in 43 individual houses with termiticide application (whether the termiticide was chlorpyrifos is uncertain) and 3 control houses without any termiticide application in Kagawa, Japan. Urine samples were collected from 46 healthy adult residents of the aforementioned houses. Chlorpyrifos in indoor air in the control houses was not detected (ND<1 ng/m(3), n=3), while 41 of 43 houses with termiticide application showed 1-350 ng/m(3). Although the chlorpyrifos concentrations in these 41 houses did not exceeded the indoor air quality guideline of 1000 ng/m(3), but 3 houses were higher than the guideline 100 ng/m(3) for children in Japan. Urinary TCP concentrations of 0.1-7.8 ng/mg·creatinine were detected in 41 residents from the 41 houses where chlorpyrifos had been detected. The chlorpyrifos concentration and the urinary TCP revealed a positive correlation (r=0.5468, p<0.01, n=41). The immediate health hazard from air born chlorpyrifos in the examined houses was negligible, but the findings suggest that it is necessary to monitor chemicals which may contaminate indoor air and to assess the risk of prolonged exposure to such chemicals. The measuring of urinary metabolite TCP of chlorpyrifos via biological monitoring would be useful, allowing comprehensive evaluation of the exposure to chlorpyrifos in indoor air.

Development and application of an indoor air quality audit to an air-conditioned tertiary institutional building in the tropics

Good indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools and tertiary institutions provides a comfortable and healthy environment for the students and staff to learn and work in, respectively. Hence, it is important to ascertain the IAQ status in the learning environment. This paper presents the development and application of an IAQ audit methodology for the tertiary institutional buildings. A staff room and a typical lecture theatre in a tertiary institution were selected for this study to present the IAQ status in premises with different occupancy pattern and internal loads. The IAQ audit consists of monitoring of thermal comfort parameters, microbial counts, dust particles and the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2), carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). Air exchange rate, ventilation effectiveness and age of air were also investigated. In addition, questionnaires were completed by the staff and students in order to provide a subjective assessment of the indoor air quality. The IAQ results collated in this study will be used to develop an IAQ database for institutional buildings in Singapore. This will be beneficial to the development of guidelines for good indoor air quality in institutional buildings.

Airborne Concentrations of Bacteria in a Hospital Environment in Singapore

A study was undertaken to determine typical concentrations ofairborne bacteria in a local hospital in the tropicalenvironment of Singapore. Aerial sampling was conducted atvarious locations within the air-conditioned hospital buildingincluding the main lobby, a visitor restricted ward and apharmacy. Concentrations of airborne bacteria exceededavailable local guidelines for indoor air quality (i.e., 500colony forming units m-3 air in an air-conditionedenvironment) in the lobby and pharmacy, but not in the visitorrestricted ward. Results showed that the occupant density wasthe key factor influencing the level of airborne bacteria, buthumidity was also important depending on the particularlocation within the hospital. Bacteria identified wererepresentative of normal microflora of the skin, respiratoryand gastro-intestinal tracts, but also included theopportunistic pathogens Acinetobacter and Flavobacterium spp.

Formation of strong airway irritants in terpene/ozone mixtures.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) mouse bioassay, which quantifies airway irritation from reduction in the respiratory rate, was used to find evidence for the formation of highly irritating substances in reactions of ozone with terpenes (common indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs)). No-observed-effect-levels (NOELs) and concentration-effect relationships were established for ozone, (+)-alpha-pinene and R-(+)-limonene, isoprene, and some of their major reaction products. Reaction mixtures of excess terpene and ozone considerably below their NOEL concentrations resulted in significant upper airway irritation. The reduction of the respiratory rate was from 30% to about 50%, lowest for the alpha-pinene and highest for the isoprene mixture. Chemical analysis of reaction mixtures by conventional methods showed that readily identified stable products and residual reactants at the concentrations found could not account for the observed reductions of the respiratory rate, assuming additivity of the reaction products. The results suggest that, in addition to known irritants (formaldehyde, acrolein, methacrolein, methyl vinylketone), one or more strong airway irritant(s) of unknown structure(s) were formed. Future indoor air quality (IAQ) guidelines for unsaturated VOCs (e.g., terpenes) and their emission from building products may require the consideration of reactions with oxidants, like ozone. Similarly, effects of ozone-emitting equipment should be re-evaluated.

Indoor air quality and the law in Singapore.

With the greater use of air-conditioned offices in Singapore, achieving good indoor air quality has become an important issue. The laws that impose duties upon designers and contractors with respect to the design and construction of air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) systems are set out in the Building Control Regulations and the Singapore Standard Code of Practice for Mechanical Ventilation and Air-conditioning in Buildings (hereinafter "SS CP 13:1980"). ACMV maintenance is governed by the Environmental Public Health Act, the Building and Common Property (Maintenance and Management) Act, and the Land Titles (Strata) Act, as well as by lease or tenancy agreements. Designers, contractors, developers, building owners and management corporations may also be liable to the workers, occupants and other premises users for indoor air quality (IAQ)-related injuries under the general principles of contract and tort. Recently, the Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises was issued by the Ministry of Environment to complement SS CP 13:1980 toward improving the indoor air quality of air-conditioned office premises. Although the Guidelines have no statutory effect, they may be adopted as contractual requirements in construction, lease and maintenance contracts. They may also be used to determine the relevant standard of duty of care required to discharge tortious liability. This paper looks at the existing laws and rules affecting the design, construction and maintenance of air-conditioned offices in light of Part III of the Ministry's Guidelines.

The Health Protection Act, national guidelines for indoor air quality and development of the national indoor air programs in Finland.

This article presents the current handling of disease related to moldy buildings in Finland as an example of an integrated health strategy. It describes the role of the Finnish Health Protection Act for indoor environments and how cases of indoor air problems are dealt with by local, regional, and national authorities.

Indoor and outdoor air quality investigation at six residential buildings in Hong Kong

The indoor air quality (IAQ) at six residential buildings in Hong Kong was investigated based on different locations and characteristics. IAQ parameters measured from October 1997 to January 1998 included temperature, relative humidity, CO 2, PM 10, HCHO, bacteria, SO 2, NO, NO 2, and CO. CO 2, PM 10, and HCHO were monitored for a 24-h period, and other IAQ pollutants were monitored continuously. IAQ pollutants at the six sites were below the Hong Kong Interim IAQ Guidelines except for PM 10 and bacteria levels. Sites where tobacco smoking is permitted had the worst IAQ. During smoking, PM 10 levels were as high as 2153 μg/m 3. All sites had bacteria levels below the recommended action level of 1000 CFU/m 3. Three sites (North Point, Ngau Tau Kok, and Prince Edward), with relatively high bacteria levels, were buildings over 20 y old. Maximum CO 2 levels detected were as high as 2.63 mL/L due to poor ventilation. The results indicated that IAQ at residential areas in Hong Kong should be constantly monitored and improved.

Relationship between buildability, indoor air quality and visual performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that, while the buildability concept and habitation comfort have been studied extensively, these have so far been examined separately. In particular, the implications, which the Total Building Performance (TBP) concept may have on buildability, are as yet unknown. Arising from this lacuna, the objective of this study is to develop an understanding of the relationship between buildability and the two TBP mandates of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and visual performance (VP).Design/methodology/approach – In studying the relationship between the IAQ and VP mandates and buildability, a base model was used to establish the baseline for comparison. This base model was adopted from the Code of Practice on Buildable Design implemented by the Building and Construction Authority in Singapore. The incorporation of IAQ and visual performance guidelines on the base model was examined to assess their influence on the buildability score.Findings – Analysis for the IAQ component y...

NATO's Efforts to Set Indoor Air Quality Guidelines and Standards

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society conducted a multinational cooperative program involving about 200 experts from 15 countries during 1989–1993 to examine policy strategies in indoor air quality (IAQ) and propose a range of options that could be adopted by NATO nations. This international effort produced recommendations about a wide spectrum of issues related to IAQ. The achievement of health and comfort in the indoor environment combined with energy efficiency can be obtained by a proper control of human exposure to indoor air contaminants. The development of guidelines and standards was recognized as an essential tool in promoting the achievement of high IAQ. In particular, development of guidelines was recommended for pollutant concentration in indoor air, for ventilation, and for emission from materials. Guidelines for methods for IAQ assessment and control and for medical management of building-related complaints and illnesses also were examine...

NATOʼs Efforts to Set Indoor Air Quality Guidelines and Standards

NATOʼs Efforts to Set Indoor Air Quality Guidelines and Standards

Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide exposures in indoor ice skating rinks

Exposures to carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were determined in seven enclosed ice skating rinks and an outdoor rink. The uptake of CO was also determined by the difference in alveolar CO concentration of the non-smoking hockey players before and after games. Carbon monoxide concentrations in enclosed rinks ranged from 4 to 117 ppm and NO2 concentrations from 342 to 2729 ppb for 2 h hockey games. The CO uptakes were linearly related to the ambient CO concentrations. Alveolar CO of the hockey players increased on average by 0.53 ppm per 1 ppm CO exposure over 2 h. Considering the CO and NO2 levels currently measured in enclosed ice skating rinks, indoor air quality guidelines or standards should be established. It is recommended that 1 h maximum allowable limits of 20 ppm CO and 250 ppb NO2 be established.

Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of prime importance to human health because we spend >80% of our time indoors. Occupants of indoor environments may be exposed to a variety of pollutants originating from human activities or pres ence in the home, combustion for heating and cooking, consumer products, furnishings, building materials and outdoor air. Because of the potentially adverse effects to human health resulting from exposure to pollutants in the home, the 'Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality' were developed. Exposure limits were prepared for the following compounds or groups of compounds: aldehydes, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formal dehyde, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, water vapour and radon. In addition, the guidelines suggest recommendations for controlling exposure to some contaminants for which the formulation of acceptable exposure ranges was deemed inappropriate or was not feasible. This group includes: biological agents, chlorinated hydrocarbons, fibrous materials, lead, pest control products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, product aerosols and tobacco smoke. A review of five substances (xylenes, toluene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, benzene and tetrachloroethylene) to determine potential health risks has revealed the primary route of exposure to be through indoor air. They will be considered for guideline development and possible inclusion in the existing Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Qual ity. Health Canada has an active research programme including a variety of projects: a survey of the occurrence of selected volatile organic compounds in Canadian residences representing a range of energy efficiencies; development and evaluation of analytical methods for measurement of human exposure to airborne organics; a study to measure home dampness and moulds to validate the observed association between respiratory health and indicators of home dampness; and participation in projects related to energy conservation and air quality as part of the research programme of the Panel on Energy Research and Development.

Control and Regulation of Indoor Air Quality in Canada

Canadians spend over 80% of their time within the indoor environment. There has been growing concern regarding the quality of indoor air due to commonly attributed adverse effects on comfort, health and productivity. Thus several organizations have been working to develop and establish indoor air quality (IAQ) standards and/or guidelines. Two approaches have been observed for controlling IAQ: (1) set permissible levels for indoor air contami nants or (2) set minimum ventilation rates. In the residential sector, Health and Welfare Canada has published permissible levels for indoor air contami nants, while building codes, at the national and provincial levels, specify mini mum ventilation rates. Federal and provincial labor authorities, along with several other government agencies, have published standards and guidelines for nonindustrial buildings. These publications suggest maximum exposure levels for air contaminants, as well as the necessary ventilation requirements. The findings and recommendations mad...

Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of prime importance to human health because we spend >80% of our time indoors. Occupants of indoor environments may be exposed to a variety of pollutants originating from human activities or presence in the home, combustion for heating and cooking, consumer products, furnishings, building materials and outdoor air. Because of the potentially adverse effects to human health resulting from exposure to pollutants in the home, the ‘Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality’ were developed. Exposure limits were prepared for the following compounds or groups of compounds: aldehydes, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, water vapour and radon. In addition, the guidelines suggest recommendations for controlling exposure to some contaminants for which the formulation of acceptable exposure ranges was deemed inappropriate or was not feasible. This group includes: biological agents, chlorinated hydrocarbons, fibrous materials, lead, pest control products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, product aerosols and tobacco smoke. A review of five substances (xylenes, toluene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, benzene and tetrachloroethylene) to determine potential health risks has revealed the primary route of exposure to be through indoor air. They will be considered for guideline development and possible inclusion in the existing Exposure Guidelines for Residential Indoor Air Quality. Health Canada has an active research programme including a variety of projects: a survey of the occurrence of selected volatile organic compounds in Canadian residences representing a range of energy efficiencies; development and evaluation of analytical methods for measurement of human exposure to airborne organics; a study to measure home dampness and moulds to validate the observed association between respiratory health and indicators of home dampness; and participation in projects related to energy conservation and air quality as part of the research programme of the Panel on Energy Research and Development.

Measuring indoor air quality: a practical guide

Part 1 Introduction: outdoor air monitoring indoor air quality monitoring factors that influence indoor air quality. Part 2 Planning an indoor air quality measurement program: establishment of indoor air quality profiles exposure monitoring with personal monitors determining the health risk of indoor pollutants approaches to Sick studies selection of sampling approaches data analysis conclusions. Part 3 Building dynamics - theory and measurement of infiltration: factors affecting air infiltration fundamental relationships of air infiltration measurement techniques examples of air exchange rate measurement data. Part 4 Measurement of indoor pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO) nitrogen dioxide (NO2) sulfur dioxide (SO2) ozone (O3) respirable particulate matter (RPM) lead radon and decay products formaldehyde volatile organic compounds environmental tobacco smoke pesticides odors carbon dioxide (CO2) bioaerosols. part 5 Measurement of pollutant emissions: measurement approaches measuring emissions from combustion sources measuring emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) measuring radon emissions conclusions. Part 6 Indoor air quality standards and guidelines. Part 7 Future needs in the conduct of indoor air quality measurement programs planning an indoor air quality measurement program ventilation measurements measurement of indoor pollutants summary.