Use of proper orthogonal decomposition and linear stochastic estimation technique to investigate real-time detailed airflows for building ventilation
As energy efficiency concerns grow for building heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, more advanced mathematical models and methods may be needed for implementing more comprehensive building environmental monitoring practices. This work investigates the methodology of applying a coupled proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and linear stochastic estimation (LSE) technique to provide detailed real-time velocity information for a single-room test environment under either mechanical ventilation or wind-driven cross natural ventilation with the support of limited on-site monitoring measurements. In addition, an e...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Meyer, R. D., Tan, G. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Effects of wall masonry layers thermophysical properties and insulation position on time lag and decrement factor
In this study, effects of the thermophysical properties of the wall masonry layer on the time lag and decrement factor of the composite wall were investigated numerically. For this purpose, the time lag and the decrement factor of six kinds of composite walls were calculated using the software FLUENT. The results show that the time lag would increase with an increase in the heat capacity of the masonry wall layer and would decrease with an increase in the thermal conductivity of the masonry wall; the decrement factor would decrease with an increase in the heat capacity of the masonry wall layer, but would increase with an ...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Zhang, L., Zhang, J., Wang, F., Wang, Y. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Numerical investigation of micron particle inhalation by standing thermal manikins in horizontal airflows
Computational fluid dynamics computations were conducted to investigate the particle inhalation characteristics of a thermal manikin standing in a horizontal airflow with different orientations, leg postures, wind speeds and particle sizes. The computations revealed that only when the manikin’s thermal plume moves into the breathing zone (namely, the manikin is facing the lee side) could the body heat affect the characteristics of particle inhalation. Further computations demonstrated that, when facing the lee side, the manikin’s particle inhalation is highly sensitive to its leg posture. When the legs are sepa...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Li, X., Inthavong, K., Tu, J. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Indoor vertical greenery system in urban tropics
The integration of vegetated architecture has evolved from gardening, aesthetic design, or artistic expression, to an indoor element named iVGS providing fashion function for the indoor environment. The aim of this study is to identify characteristics of commonly used indoor plants in tropics, and to determine the advantages and disadvantages of iVGS, criteria in selecting installation methods, layout plans for iVGS and correlation among locations, parameters, types and Pros & Cons. A questionnaire survey and three case studies including (a) Ban Guan Nursery; (b) Yeo Tang Hing Nursery and (c) Absolute Thai Garden were ...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Wang, C., Er, S.-S., Abdul-Rahman, H. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Mobilisation of trace elements on roofing tiles
Roofs surfaces are frequently used to catch water for drinking in many countries, so the presence and mobilisation of material into runoff water can be an important process to consider. This paper investigates the origin and mobilisation of trace elements from roofing tiles. Our work suggests that trace elements can mobilise into roof runoff. However, lead by contrast, appears to have accumulated at the surface of tiles exposed to busy automobile traffic that used leaded fuel (confirmed by X-ray fluorescence). Although lead is relatively immobile on the tile surface, the potential for leaching by acidic rain (pH < 4) me...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Sulaiman, F. R., Brimblecombe, P., Grossi, C. M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Improving the effectiveness of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation through reflective wall coatings: Experimental and modeling based assessments
Experimental and modeling based assessments of employing reflective wall coatings towards improving the effectiveness of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in unoccupied hospital rooms were carried out. Measurements of incident radiative fluxes on different surfaces were made in a control room as well as a room whose walls were painted with a nanostructured UV-C reflective wall coating. Employing the reflective paint resulted in up to a 20% increase in the incident radiative fluxes on some surfaces that were directly exposed to the radiation and nearly a 10-fold increase on surfaces that were not directly exposed. Spatiall...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Krishnamoorthy, G., Tande, B. M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Impacts of inland water area changes on the local climate of Wuhan, China
A distinct feature of Wuhan is that almost a quarter of the total area of this city is covered with water, leading to its unique hot and humid climate characteristics in summer. However, according to records, water area in built-up zone of Wuhan has been reduced by 130.5 km2 from 1965 to 2008, while the annual average air temperature has been increased by more than 3℃. To investigate the quantitative connection between the water area reduction and air temperature increase, three scenarios were simulated in a summer; to evaluate the impact of water reduction on the local thermal environment in different water areas; ...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Zhou, X., Ooka, R., Chen, H., Kawamoto, Y., Kikumoto, H. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
'Healthy Buildings: Toward understanding user interaction with the indoor environment
(Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - April 6, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Brunsgaard, C., Fich, L. B. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Urban trees as sunlight control elements of vertical openings in front facades in sunny climates. Case Study: Morus alba on north facade
Benefits of urban trees are evident from the energy and environmental perspective, likewise they reduce glare and control light intensity. Given the hypothesis that trees reduce visible radiation significantly reaching lower level facades, this study is an approach to the analysis of urban forestation as a solar control element. The methodology employed involves measurement of: illuminance – transmittance variation, permeability variation and luminance contrast, by levels along the vertical development of the tree. Vertical illuminance values that exceed 25,000 lx were detected from 5.5 m onwards and values inferior ...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - February 8, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Villalba, A. M., Pattini, A. E., Corica, M. L. Tags: Case Studies Source Type: research
Indoor radon in dwellings of Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia and its correlations with the radium and radon exhalation rates from soil
To assess the potential health risks associated with indoor radon, a study was carried out in 80 dwellings in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia using CR-39 plastic track detectors. The annual average indoor radon concentrations varied from 21 to 52 Bq m–3, with a mean value of 36 Bq m–3, which is well below the recommended action level recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The annual effective dose varied from 0.35 to 0.89 mSv y–1. The results showed no significant radiological risks for the inhabitants. The radium content, radon exhalation rate and the concentration of ra...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - February 8, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Farid, S. M. Tags: Case Studies Source Type: research
Pre-adolescent concern for the natural environment according to gender
Natural environment and human relationships are very important in creating a healthy society. In particular, recent research focuses on the relationship between child and natural environments. Children’s relationship with the natural environment could vary according to different variables. The gender factor is one of them. The aim of this present study was to determine the concern with regards to the natural environment of pre-adolescent living in Malatya city depending on gender. The study carried out a questionnaire survey that was given to the 6th, 7th and 8th form pupils of different primary schools based on chil...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - February 8, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Saricam, S. Tags: Case Studies Source Type: research
Aldehyde emissions from lime plaster containing vegetable oil
Lime plaster applied to walls and ceilings often contains vegetable oil for improving water resistance, and is considered to be harmless owing to its natural origin. The purpose of this study was to assess aldehyde emissions from plaster containing vegetable oil in order to predict the concentrations of aldehydes emitted into the indoor air. A passive emission chamber method was used to observe the emissions of aldehydes from vegetable oil when mixed with sodium hydroxide solution. The findings show that the alkalinity of calcium hydroxide in the plaster would accelerate the formation of aldehydes significantly. Furthermor...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - February 8, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Odaka, Y., Seto, H., Nakaoka, H., Hanazato, M., Todaka, E., Mori, C. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in settled dust particles in selected Ghanaian environments: Levels, source characterization, and assessment of inhalational health risks
This study suggests that indoor air pollution, which has been relegated in most developing countries, should be taken seriously. (Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - February 8, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Essumang, D. K., Ofori, J., Dodoo, D. K., Adjei, J. K. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Investigation of the importance of tertiary contamination, temperature and human behaviour on PCB concentrations in indoor air
In this study, 24 PCB congeners were measured in the indoor air of 83 contaminated apartments as well as in sealants sampled in a random subset of 20 apartments. The sealants were identified to be the primary source containing the original PCBs. For total PCBs, the median air concentration was 859 ng/m3 and the median concentration in contaminated sealants was 16.5% by weight. Analyses performed in the present study indicate that the influence of tertiary sources on indoor air concentrations may be substantial and that removal of tertiary sources may be needed when performing PCB remediation in buildings. (Source: Indoor a...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - February 8, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Kolarik, B., Frederiksen, M., Meyer, H. W., Ebbehoj, N. E., Gunnarsen, L. B. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
The physical environments and microbiological contamination in three different fitness centres and the participants expectations: Measurement and analysis
In this study, a range of environmental and microbiological factors were measured at three different fitness centres in a tropical environment with contrasting ventilation regimes, including an air-conditioned indoor facility, an indoor facility with natural ventilation and an outdoor, open-air facility. A parallel questionnaire survey of the attitudes of the exercisers toward their fitness centre’s environment and hygiene was also conducted. Measurement results indicate that airborne inhalable particulate matter (PM10), air speed (AS), temperature and relative humidity (RH) were statistically different among the thr...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - February 8, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Onchang, R., Panyakapo, M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
