Case study of odor and indoor air quality assessment in the dewatering building at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manju Sharma ◽  
Susan O'Connell ◽  
Brett Garelli ◽  
Chakkrid Sattayatewa ◽  
Demetrios Moschandreas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Exhaust System ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Water Reclamation ◽  
Emission Rates

Indoor air quality (IAQ) and odors were determined using sampling/monitoring, measurement, and modeling methods in a large dewatering building at a very large water reclamation plant. The ultimate goal was to determine control strategies to reduce the sensory impacts on the workforce and achieve odor reduction within the building. Study approaches included: (1) investigation of air mixing by using CO2 as an indicator, (2) measurement of airflow capacity of ventilation fans, (3) measurement of odors and odorants, (4) development of statistical and IAQ models, and (5) recommendation of control strategies. The results showed that air quality in the building complies with occupational safety and health guidelines; however, nuisance odors that can increase stress and productivity loss still persist. Excess roof fan capacity induced odor dispersion to the upper levels. Lack of a local air exhaust system of sufficient capacity and optimum design was found to be the contributor to occasional less than adequate indoor air quality and odors. Overall, air ventilation rate in the building has less effect on persistence of odors in the building. Odor/odorant emission rates from centrifuge drops were approximately 100 times higher than those from the open conveyors. Based on measurements and modeling, the key control strategies recommended include increasing local air exhaust system capacity and relocation of exhaust hoods closer to the centrifuge drops.

scholarly journals Sewage Sludge Incorporating Into Fired Clay Brick: Indoor Air Quality Testing

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1113-1118
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Clay Brick ◽  
Huge Amount

Sewage industry have generated huge amount of sewage sludge. It is found that the amount of sewage sludge generated by Malaysia sewerage companies has reached 5.3 million m3 per year. Sewage sludge (SS) are usually disposed into a landfill or incineration but due to the huge amount of sludge produced and limited availability of lad, it has become an environmental hazard. Thus, this research was conducted to utilize sludge that resulted from the wastewater treatment plant into fired clay brick as well as contributed to other alternative disposal method for the sludge. This research focuses on the investigation of indoor air quality of fired clay brick incorporating with SS. The SS was collected from IWK located at Senggarang and Perwira whilst clay soil was collected at Yong Peng, Johor. The characteristics of SS and clay soil were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). From the results, it showed that SS was high with silicon oxide (SiO2 ) and zinc (Zn) that makes it compatible to replace clay soil as raw materials. Next, two types of sewage sludge brick (SSB) which are Senggarang brick (SB) and Perwira brick (PB) were incorporated with 0%, 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% of SS respectively. Then, the compressive strength test was conducted in accordance with the British Standard BS 3921: 1985. Based on the result, it shows that 5% of SS replacements as clay soil into fired clay brick have achieved the optimum strength. As for the indoor air quality (IAQ) test were done in walk-in stability chamber (WiSC) and the gas emission was compared with the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality (ICOP-IAQ) through Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (DOSH, 2010). From the result, IAQ brick for SB and PB showed that up to 5% in fired clay brick were complied with the standard which below the acceptable limit that has provided for wall, column and cube formed. Thus, as a conclusion this method provided an alternative disposal method for the SS whilst producing a new low-cost building material with no negative effect to human as well as benefit to the environment.

scholarly journals Assessment of Occupational Safety and Hygiene Perception among Afro-Caribbean Hair Salon Operators in Manchester, United Kingdom

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruna Musa Moda ◽  
Debrah King
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Hair Salon

Because of exposure to a number of potential health hazards within the work environment, hairstylists experience occupational diseases that include occupational asthma, skin conditions and musculoskeletal diseases. The paucity of studies assessing occupational safety and hygiene management among Afro-Caribbean hair salon operators in the UK promoted the study. QualtricsTM was used to assess the participants’ perception of exposure to hair products and their personal safety and hygiene knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and risk perceptions at work. In five salons, indoor air quality was monitored over one working week for selected environmental pollutants: temperature, humidity, CO, CO2 and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) using a GrayWolf Direct Sense Indoor Air Quality-IAQ (IQ-610). The use of unflued gas heating to raise the indoor temperature was common among the salons’ operators which explains the high carbon monoxide readings recorded. Itchy eyes and nose (44.4%) shoulder, neck and back pain (39.2%) were frequently reported. Age-stratified analysis of reported occupational ailments showed participants within an age bracket of 31–35 reported allergies (24%) and itchy eyes and nose (19.1%) as the most common of occupational ailments. Respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal symptoms ranked as major occupational ill-health experiences among the study population. The study outcome demonstrated that the type of activity and the hair products used play an important role in the level of pollutants in the working environment. The substitution of the more harmful hair products with safer alternatives is needed, as is the encouragement of health surveillance.

scholarly journals Emissions from Irish domestic fireplaces and their impact on indoor air quality when used as supplementary heating source

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-216
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Airborne Particle ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Heating Source ◽  
Open Fire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

A field study on the impact of fireplace on the indoor air quality was carried out between 2004 and 2006, where two main contaminants, CO and particulate matters, were investigated in twenty seven randomly selected Irish houses. The results show that while the physical environment has been improved by increasing the room air and radiant temperature, indoor air quality is significantly decreased when fireplace is used as additional heating source to the central heating. The operation of fireplace increased transient concentrations of CO and airborne particle to several times higher than the normal house average level. Statistical analysis showed significant difference of the average PM10 concentration between house groups with and without using fireplace. However fireplace did not demonstrate a significant influence on average CO level from our samples. When comparisons were made between houses with various emission sources, i.e. fireplace, smoking and open fire gas cooking, and houses free of the above sources, smoking and open fire gas cookers were proved to be other major sources of particles and CO. Particularly when they exist at the same time with fireplace, significant elevation of CO and airborne particle levels is observed in analysis. Cumulative probability analysis in some houses revealed high percentage of time exceeding health guidelines which indicated the potential health risk in these houses. Mass balance equation was employed to estimate particle emission rates from fireplace, namely 0.66 mg min-1 (PM10) and 0.20 mg min-1 (PM2.5) respectively in terms of mass concentration. Emission rates on particle numbers were also estimated despite the relatively smaller sample. Gas fuel fireplaces tended to emit fewer particles both in mass and in number comparing to fireplaces using solid fuels.

scholarly journals Application of Horizontal Confluents Jets in a School Virtual Chamber

2021 ◽  
Vol 246 ◽  
pp. 02005
Author(s):  
Eusébio Conceição ◽  
Mª Inês Conceição ◽  
João Gomes ◽  
Mª Manuela Lúcio ◽  
Hazim Awbi
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Exhaust System ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Experimental Chamber ◽  
Airflow Rate ◽  
Inlet System ◽  
Head Level

The study presented in this work is performed in a virtual chamber, similar to an existing experimental chamber, with dimensions of 4.50×2.55×2.50 m3. The chamber, occupied with twelve virtual manikins, is equipped with six tables, twelve chairs, one exhaust system and one inlet system, based in confluents jets system. In the exhaust system are considered six air ducts, located above the head level, connected to the ceiling area. The inlet system, based in four vertical ducts, with 0.15 m diameter, located on the corners of the chamber, are equipped with consecutive holes, that promotes horizontal jets near the wall. The results demonstrate that when the airflow rate increases the air quality number increases, the thermal comfort number decreases and the ADI increases slightly. The predicted percentage of dissatisfied index values show that the thermal comfort level is acceptable, the dioxide carbon concentration values show that the indoor air quality is near the acceptable value and the Draught Risk is acceptable.

INDOOR MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION AND ITS RELATION TO PHYSICAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) CHARACTERISTICS AT DIFFERENT LABORATORY CONDITIONS

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazrin, A. H. ◽  
Anis Syazana, A. A. ◽  
Noor Faizul Hadry, N. ◽  
Norhidayah, A. ◽  
Mohd Shukri, M. A.
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Airborne Pollutants ◽  
Code Of Practice ◽  
Microbial Contaminants ◽  
Respirable Particulate

Laboratory usually refers to a room or building equipped with chemicals and biological agents for scientific experimentation and research. Due to its own indoor hazards and its cause of health implications, it is an urge to assess and to understand the physical indoor air quality (IAQ) characteristics in the laboratory and the variables affecting the degree of exposure to occupants. The main objectives of this study was aimed to assess and to compare the physical IAQ characteristics and airborne pollutants including particulate matters (PM) and gaseous pollutants between laboratories, to identify microbial contaminants via bacterial counts as well as scientific bacterial-kits species identification and to correlate the relationship of physical IAQ characteristics, airborne pollutants and microbial contaminants between different laboratory settings within the same building which are Natural Product (NP) laboratory, Plant Tissue Culture (PTC) laboratory, and Microbiology laboratory. The physical IAQ characteristics and airborne PM was measured using VelociCalc multi-function ventilation meter 9565 and DustMate environmental dust detector respectively. Surface Air System Indoor Air Quality (SAS IAQ) was used to capture the microbial contaminants and after that bacterial counting and identification were done. The scientific method protocol and standard reference limits were compared based on Industrial Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality (ICOP) (2010) regulated by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). The temperature of PTC laboratory, velocity of NP laboratory and Microbiology laboratory, the respirable particulate matter (PM) of all three laboratories and Colony Forming Unit (CFU) count of PTC and NP laboratory exceeded the standard limit regulated by DOSH. This study demonstrated that Gemella morbillorum is the common bacterial species available in the environment with poor IAQ and there is a significant relationship between physical characteristics, airborne pollutants and microbial contaminants between the different types of laboratory settings. In conclusion, priority should be given to NP laboratory as it is exposed to poor IAQ conditions and immediate action should be taken to eliminate the problems.

scholarly journals Indoor air quality modelling and measurements of a studio apartment with a mechanical exhaust system

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 00171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Szczepanik-Ścisło ◽  
Agnieszka Flaga-Maryańczyk
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Exhaust System ◽  
Air Quality Modelling ◽  
The Family ◽  
Operation Duration

The aim of the research were measurements and an attempt to model the indoor air quality (IAQ) within a studio apartment with a mechanical exhaust system, manually controlled by the occupants. The authors based the modelling on the occupancy schedule of the family members and the recorded operation duration of the ventilation system. The purpose of the performed analysis was to answer the question if it is possible and to what extent to reflect numerically the conditions within the tested object. The authors studied also the carbon dioxide level in the context of controlling the system by the residents. The simulations were carried out using the CONTAM software, developed by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

scholarly journals Retrofitting existing buildings to control indoor PM2.5 concentration on smog days: Initial experience of residential buildings in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyi Chu ◽  
Peng Xu ◽  
Zhiwei Yang ◽  
Weilin Li
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Indoor Particulate Matter ◽  
Particulate Matter 2.5

Severe smog days in many parts of developing countries, such as China and India, have drawn worldwide attention. This study aims at integrating various building retrofitting methods of existing buildings to control indoor particulate matter 2.5 concentrations. Methods are such as airtightness improvement, room pressure control, recycling air filtration and combinations of the above. The study verifies the effectiveness of each control method to reduce the indoor particulate matter 2.5 concentration below 25 µg/m3 under certain outdoor conditions in building. Measurements and modelling are conducted for different outdoor particle concentration scenarios under different control strategies at an apartment in Shanghai, China. Overall, the retrofitting methods depend on outdoor smog circumstances and building structures. Therefore, it would be wise to choose appropriate control method depending on outdoor particulate matter 2.5 concentrations. This is the first time that various existing residential building retrofitting strategies are integrated jointly and the combination of different control methods are tested to ensure indoor air quality under different outdoor conditions. To validate the generality of these control strategies, a simulation model is developed and calibrated against experimental data under different scenarios. The variation of the indoor particulate matter 2.5 concentration in an extremely bad day is simulated and the influencing factors including infiltration air change rate, air volume and filter efficiency are all analyzed according to the model. The results and conclusions of this study can be used in many parts of the worlds, when building occupants have to choose proper equipment or retrofitting methods to control their indoor air quality. Practical application: The building retrofitting methods introduced in this article could be used in any residential building to control indoor particulate matter 2.5 concentrations continuously below 25 µg/m3 under different outdoor conditions.

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