Laboratory evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyls encapsulation methods
Effectiveness and limitations of encapsulation methods for reducing polychlorinated biphenyls concentration in indoor air and abating contaminated surface have been evaluated. Ten coating materials such as epoxy and polyurethane coatings, latex paint and petroleum-based paint were tested in small environmental chambers to rank encapsulants by their resistance to polychlorinated biphenyl sorption (sink chamber tests) and to determine key parameters for consideration by a barrier model. Wipe samples were collected from polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated surfaces encapsulated with coating materials to rank encapsulants by ...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - September 15, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Liu, X., Guo, Z., Krebs, K. A., Roache, N. F., Stinson, R. A., Nardin, J. A., Pope, R. H., Mocka, C. A., Logan, R. D. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Radon doses in the indoor environments of Murree and Islamabad, Pakistan: A comparison of active and passive techniques
To study the radiological impact of indoor radon levels in different seasons on population, indoor air samples were collected from Islamabad (Alt. 534 m) and Murree (Alt. 2300 m) regions. Radon concentrations were measured using an active technique by taking in situ measurements on RAD-7, solid state α-detector and passive technique by taking time integrated measurements on CR-39 detector, in winter, spring, summer and autumn. The results of both techniques were analysed and compared. The suitability of active technique is discussed. Both active and passive measurement techniques lead to annual mean effective doses o...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - September 15, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Ali, N., Muhammad, W., Khattak, N. U., Khan, E. U., Rajput, M. U., Akram, M., Hussain, S., Mujahid, S. A. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Characterizing the fungal and bacterial microflora and concentrations in fitness centres
In this study, 21 genera/species of fungal colonies were identified. Chrysosporium sp., Chrysonilia sp., Neoscytalidium hialinum, Sepedonium sp. and Penicillium sp. were the most prevalent species identified in the morning, while Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Chrysosporium sp., Acremonium sp. and Chrysonilia sp. were more prevalent at night. A well-designed sanitation and maintenance program for gymnasiums is needed to ensure healthier space for indoor physical activity. (Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - September 15, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Ramos, C. A., Viegas, C., Verde, S. C., Wolterbeek, H. T., Almeida, S. M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
A need for evidence-based and multidisciplinary research to study the effects of the interaction of school environmental conditions on student achievement
(Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - September 15, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Lau, J., Wang, L. M., Waters, C., Bovaird, J. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Indoor radon and gamma spectrometric measurements for the Erzincan Basin on North Anatolian Fault Zone, Turkey
Indoor radon and soil radioactivity levels were determined for Erzincan province in Turkey. Indoor radon concentrations were determined in 89 dwellings using CR-39 passive Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs) for four seasons. The mean annual 222Rn activity concentration was found to be 119 Bq.m–3. In the winter season, indoor radon concentrations showed the highest values while the lowest values were observed in the summer season. A model was used to predict the number of lung cancer incidences due to inhalation of radon. The findings have indicated that radon is responsible for 13% of lung cancer incidences...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Kucukomeroglu, B., Ozturk, E., Damla, N., Celik, N., Duran, S. U., Cevik, U., Taskin, H., Albayrak, N. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Annual effective dose of radon due to exposure in indoor air and groundwater in Bathinda district of Punjab
In the present study, an attempt has been made to estimate the actual dose received by the residents due to their exposure to indoor radon, indoor thoron and radon concentration in water of Bathinda district of Punjab considering the different factors like dissolution of gases in blood and contribution of waterborne radon in increasing indoor radon levels following various protocols set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The calculated values have shown a good positive correlation (R2 = 0.80) between indoor radon concentration and concentration of radon gas in soil in Bathinda district of Punjab, Indi...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Mehra, R., Kaur, K., Bangotra, P. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Indoor radon concentration in hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon pertaining areas across the Main Boundary Thrust in Attock district of Pakistan
The areas pertaining the hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon in the Attock district of Pakistan were selected for the measurement of indoor radon concentration. This area was not previously surveyed for such kind of study. CR-39-based NRPB radon dosimeters were utilized for this study. Attock city, Hassan Abdal and Jand belong to the non-hydrocarbon areas, where radon concentration was measured to be 57 ± 11, 58 ± 11 and 56 ± 11 Bq m–3, respectively. The hydrocarbon pertaining areas consist of Toot and Meyal villages, the concentration of radon was found to be 48 ± 10 and 37 ± 8 Bq m&nd...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Qadir, A., Tufail, M., Qadir, A., Khandaker, M. U. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Biodeteriogenic and toxigenic agents on 17th century mural paintings and facade of the old church of the Holy Ascension (Veliki Krcimir, Serbia)
Biofilm forming microbial community dwelling on the surface of facade and biodeteriorated 17th century wall paintings of the old Church of the Holy Ascension (Veliki Krčimir, Serbia) was evaluated through microscopic analyses, in order to detect toxigenic agents and assess potential damage caused by biodeteriogens. Initial optical examination of adhesive tape samples revealed complex microbial community flourishing on deteriorated mural surfaces highly enriched with inorganic impurities and organic contaminants of plant and animal origin. A variety of fungal structures, such as melanized hyphae, chlamydospores, frui...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Unkovic, N., Ljaljevic Grbic, M., Subakov-Simic, G., Stupar, M., Vukojevic, J., Jelikic, A., Stanojevic, D. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Luminous environment in healthcare buildings for user satisfaction and comfort: an objective and subjective field study
This study investigated the luminous environmental quality through an objective and a subjective approach, reporting results from field activities in four hospitals in Turin and Asti (region of Piedmont, Italy), aimed both at detecting critical conditions of non-compliance with reference to standards and at evaluating visual comfort of patients, visitors and of the nursing staff. From objective measurements, much non-compliance was found. In spite of this, subjective analyses showed that the group of patients and visitors was satisfied with the quality and quantity of lighting within their rooms, while the nursing staff we...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Lo Verso, V. R. M., Caffaro, F., Aghemo, C. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Health performance and cost management model for sustainable healthy buildings
The objective of this paper is to propose a health performance and cost management model to achieve satisfactory health performance level within the project budget. The main significance of this model is to establish a decision-making process for decision-makers to improve and identify problems that could affect the health performance of a building throughout a building’s life cycle, thus allowing stakeholders to resolve shortcomings and to apply advanced solutions for building upgrade. (Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Na, Y., Palikhe, S., Lim, C., Kim, S. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Effectiveness of indoor environment quality in LEED-certified healthcare settings
This study surveyed 164 staff members in two healthcare settings in a case study to compare LEED and non-LEED-certified healthcare facilities and surveyed 146 staff in six LEED-certified healthcare settings for the main study. Telephone interviews with six facility managers were used to verify the survey results and further examine the facilities' performance and the effectiveness of the LEED strategies. An independent t-test was used to examine the difference between a LEED hospital and a non-LEED hospital in one healthcare system. Building performance was rated higher by staff in the LEED-certified hospital than in the n...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Xuan, X. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Citric acid-modified carbon chemical filtration for cleanroom air quality control: Study on N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the interference of co-existing toluene
This study aims to investigate the removal of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), an organic alkali compound that commonly appeared in cleanroom environment and used for photoresist stripping in integrated circuit fabrication processes, through adsorption by the citric acid (CA)-modified activated carbon chemical filters. Increase in CA concentration showed positive correlation to the quantity of CA coating but had negative influences on specific surface area. Immersion of carbon particles in solutions containing 3 M CA for 3 h yielded the most chemical modification according to the intensity of carbonyl and hydroxyl functional ...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tu, T.-T., Lee, M., Kuo, S.-T., Den, W. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Air dehumidification by hollow fibre membrane with chilled water for spacecraft applications
A novel hydrophobic membrane-based dehumidification technology with chilled water is proposed to substitute the traditional dew point method for humidity control in spacecraft, which fulfils the tough tasks of air/water separation and water reuse under low gravity at the same time. A prototype hydrophobic membrane module was designed and fabricated by packing 853 hollow fibres in the shell-and-tube configuration, which could prevent the leakage of the tube-side chilled water to the air side. Theoretical models concerning conjugated heat and mass transfer have been established for the explanation and prediction of the moist...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Yang, B., Yuan, W., He, X., Ren, K. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Experimental parametric study on the temperature distribution of an underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system with grille diffusers
The underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system has attracted great attention from many researchers and designers due to its advantages of energy conservation and air quality enhancement. In a UFAD system, the conditioned air is directly delivered to the occupied zone, causing thermal stratification from the lower zone to the upper zone. This flow pattern provides better distribution of temperature and airflow than the overhead air conditioning system for its improved ventilation and indoor air quality at the breathing level. This paper focuses on a new and unconventional way of conditioning the interior zones in UFAD buildi...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Zhang, K., Zhang, X., Li, S., Jin, X. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Physiochemical characteristics of indoor PM2.5 with combustion of dried yak dung as biofuel in Tibetan Plateau, China
People inhabiting the Tibetan Plateau rely for survival on the yak, the region's native cattle. One of the important products of yak is dung, which has been served as cooking and heating fuels in the traditional Tibetan pastoralist society for several thousand years. The indoor air quality (IAQ) at eight residential homes with altitudes ranging from 3212 m to 4788 m was investigated in November 2012 to obtain a shot-term profile of emission from combustion of dried yak dung as biofuel in pastoral and agro-pastoral regions on the Tibetan Plateau. The indoor temperature, relative humidity, CO2 and mass concentrations of PM2....
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 18, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Hu, T., Cao, J., Lee, S., Ho, K., Li, X., Liu, S., Chen, J. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
