scholarly journals Effectiveness and Eco-Costs of Air Cleaners in Terms of Improving Fungal Air Pollution in Dwellings Located in Southern Poland—A Preliminary Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1255
Author(s):  
Ewa Brągoszewska ◽  
Magdalena Bogacka ◽  
Krzysztof Pikoń
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Air Cleaners ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants

Epidemiological evidence shows that air pollution is responsible for several million premature deaths per year. By virtue of being responsible for these deaths, economic evidence shows that air pollution also imposes a so-called economic cost to society of several trillion dollars per year. The diseases caused by biological air pollutants are of primary global concern for both social and economic reasons, and given that people may spend more than 90% of their time in enclosed spaces, the investigation into methods to remove indoor air pollutants is of paramount importance. One of the methods to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) is to use air cleaners (ACLs) with high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) that remove biological indoor air pollutants from indoor environments. This work presents the results of a study of fungal aerosol samples collected during the summer season from inside two dwellings (DG1 and DG2) before and after starting the use of ACLs. The fungal aerosol samples collected from each of the six stages of the sampler were incubated on agar plates at 26 °C, and the colony forming units (CFU) were manually counted and statistically corrected. The concentration of living airborne fungi was expressed as the CFU in the volume of air (CFU·m−3). The average concentration of fungal aerosol decreased the most when the ACLs were active for 24 min. The reduction was from 474 CFU·m−3 to 306 CFU·m−3, and from 582 CFU·m−3 to 338 CFU·m−3 in DG1 and DG2, respectively. The use of ACLs was assessed by the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. This study highlights the benefits of controlling biological air pollutants in order to keep occupants of buildings happy and healthy.

How low-cost air pollution sensors could make homes smarter?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Omidvarborna ◽  
Prashant Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants

<p>The majority of people spend most of their time indoors, where they are exposed to indoor air pollutants. Indoor air pollution is ranked among the top ten largest global burden of a disease risk factor as well as the top five environmental public health risks, which could result in mortality and morbidity worldwide. The spent time in indoor environments has been recently elevated due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak when the public are advised to stay in their place for longer hours per day to protect lives. This opens an opportunity to low-cost air pollution sensors in the real-time Spatio-temporal mapping of IAQ and monitors their concentration/exposure levels indoors. However, the optimum selection of low-cost sensors (LCSs) for certain indoor application is challenging due to diversity in the air pollution sensing device technologies. Making affordable sensing units composed of individual sensors capable of measuring indoor environmental parameters and pollutant concentration for indoor applications requires a diverse scientific and engineering knowledge, which is not yet established. The study aims to gather all these methodologies and technologies in one place, where it allows transforming typical homes into smart homes by specifically focusing on IAQ. This approach addresses the following questions: 1) which and what sensors are suitable for indoor networked application by considering their specifications and limitation, 2) where to deploy sensors to better capture Spatio-temporal mapping of indoor air pollutants, while the operation is optimum, 3) how to treat the collected data from the sensor network and make them ready for the subsequent analysis and 4) how to feed data to prediction models, and which models are best suited for indoors.</p>

scholarly journals Associations Between Sub-Clinical Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk and Exposure to Residential Indoor Air Pollutants in Healthy Adults in Perth, Western Australia: A Study Protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3548
Author(s):  
Suzanne E. Gilbey ◽  
Christopher M. Reid ◽  
Rachel R. Huxley ◽  
Mario J. Soares ◽  
Yun Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants

Background: A growing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence has implicated air pollution as an emerging risk factor for cardiometabolic disease. Whilst individuals spend up to two-thirds of daily time in their domestic residential environment, very few studies have been designed to objectively measure the sub-clinical markers of cardiometabolic risk with exposure to domestic indoor air pollutants. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate associations between the components of domestic indoor air quality and selected sub-clinical cardiometabolic risk factors in a cohort of healthy adults living in Perth, Western Australia. Methods: One hundred and eleven non-smoking adults (65% female) living in non-smoking households who were aged between 35–69 years were recruited for the project. Study subjects were invited to participate in all sections of the study, which included: Domestic indoor air monitoring along with the concurrent 24 h ambulatory monitoring of peripheral and central blood pressure and measures of central hemodynamic indices, standardized questionnaires on aspects relating to current health status and the domestic environment, a 24 h time-activity diary during the monitoring period, and clinic-based health assessment involving collection of blood and urine biomarkers for lipid and glucose profiles, as well as measures of renal function and an analysis of central pulse wave and pulse wave velocity. Results: This study provides a standardized approach to the study of sub-clinical cardiometabolic health effects that are related to the exposure to indoor air pollution. Conclusion: The findings of this study may provide direction for future research that will further contribute to our understanding of the relationship that exists between indoor air pollution and sub-clinical markers of cardiometabolic risk.

Indoor Environment Quality in Modern Life

2013 ◽  
Vol 664 ◽  
pp. 207-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Han ◽  
Li Fen Yi
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants

There is a great improvement in modern people’s working and living environment. As the new building materials and technology appear, it brings some problems to indoor environment. more and more people pay attention to their living conditions especially the quality of indoor environment. Every year ,there are 110,000 people who die from indoor air pollution every year in China, hence indoor air pollution is affecting human health. In this paper, through analysis of the sources, adverse health effects of several common indoor air pollutants, air pollutants are major contributing factors to chronic diseases and mortality. It should be treated urgently with the people’s standard of living improvement.

scholarly journals Association Between Maternal Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution and Offspring Congenital Heart Disease: A Multi-Hospital Case-Control Study in East China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Sun ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Xin Shi ◽  
Shujing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
East China ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background: Previous research has suggested an association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants and the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, the effect of individual prenatal exposure to indoor air pollutants on CHD occurrence has not been reported.Methods: We carried out a hospital-based case-control study to investigate the association between personal air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of CHDs in offspring. A total of 32 cases and 74 controls were included in this study from two hospitals in East China. We investigated maternal and residential environmental characteristics using a questionnaire and obtained personal indoor air samples to assess particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 22–30 gestational weeks; formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total VOCs (TVOCs), PM10, and PM2.5 were assessed. Logistic regression was performed to assess associations and interactions among individual indoor air pollutants and CHDs after adjusting for confounders. The potential residential environmental factors affecting the risks of indoor air pollutants on CHDs were also assessed.Results: Median TVOC (0.430 vs. 0.005 mg/m3, P < 0.001), PM2.5 (12.00 vs. 8.00 µg/m3, P=0.037) and PM10 (13.50 vs. 8.00 µg/m3, P=0.028) exposure levels in cases were significantly higher than those in controls. In a regression model adjusted for confounders, exposure to high levels of indoor TVOCs, PM2.5 and PM10 during pregnancy was associated with risks for CHDs and the occurrence of some major CHD subtypes in offspring. These risk effects were enhanced among pregnant woman living in a newly renovated house or near heavy-traffic roads but were mitigated by household usage of smoke ventilators when cooking. We observed a positive interaction of maternal exposure to TVOCs and PM2.5 in regard to the risk for CHDs.Conclusions: Maternal exposure to indoor VOCs and PMs may increase the risk of giving birth to foetuses with CHDs.

scholarly journals Association Between Maternal Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution and Offspring Congenital Heart Disease: A Multi-Hospital Case-Control Study in East China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Sun ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Xin Shi ◽  
Shujing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
East China ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Previous research has suggested an association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants and the risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, the effect of individual prenatal exposure to indoor air pollutants on CHD occurrence has not been reported. Methods We carried out a hospital-based case-control study to investigate the association between personal air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the risk of CHDs in offspring. A total of 34 cases and 72 controls were included in this study from two hospitals in East China. We investigated maternal and residential environmental characteristics using a questionnaire and obtained personal indoor air samples to assess particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 22–30 gestational weeks; formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, total VOCs (TVOCs), PM10, and PM2.5 were assessed. Logistic regression was performed to assess associations and interactions among individual indoor air pollutants and CHDs after adjusting for confounders. The potential residential environmental factors affecting the risks of indoor air pollutants on CHDs were also assessed. Results Median TVOC (0.430 vs. 0.005 mg/m3, P < 0.001), PM2.5 (12.00 vs. 8.00 µg/m3, P = 0.037) and PM10 (13.50 vs. 8.00 µg/m3, P = 0.028) exposure levels in cases were significantly higher than those in controls. In a regression model adjusted for confounders, exposure to high levels of indoor TVOCs, PM2.5 and PM10 during pregnancy was associated with risks for CHDs and the occurrence of some major CHD subtypes in offspring. These risk effects were enhanced among pregnant woman living in a newly renovated house or near heavy-traffic roads but were mitigated by household usage of smoke ventilators when cooking. We observed a positive interaction of maternal exposure to TVOCs and PM2.5 in regard to the risk for CHDs. Conclusions Maternal exposure to indoor VOCs and PMs may increase the risk of giving birth to foetuses with CHDs.

Effects of UV-HEPA Air Filters on Air Quality Status inside a Public Museum in Malaysia

2014 ◽  
Vol 607 ◽  
pp. 700-708
Author(s):  
Marzuki Ismail ◽  
Nurul Hanna Attiya Baharuddin ◽  
Anis Syafizee Anuar ◽  
Azrin Suroto
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Air Filter ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Biological Contaminants ◽  
Purification Unit ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants

Poor indoor air quality is a major threat towards workers since the office or office-like environment is now the workplace for the majority of the workforce in Malaysia. Workers in office buildings frequently have unexplained work-related symptoms or combinations of symptoms but evidence suggests that microbial contamination plays a part. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation lights with high efficiency particulate air filter (UV-HEPA) are recognized for eradicating biological contaminants and capturing particles in indoor environments. Here, the effectiveness of UV-HEPA purification unit was obtained in two selected workplaces i.e. laboratory of conservation and laboratory of natural resources. Results show that there exist significance difference (P<0.05) on indoor air quality between pre-installation and post-installations of UV-HEPA filter in both selected room. Furthermore, it shows that UV-HEPA filter is effective in removing indoor air pollutants and improves the air quality. The use of UVGI lights with HEPA filter resulted in significant reduction in the concentration of microbes and respirable particulates within the ventilation systems. Keywords:indoorairquality,microbes,respirableparticulates,UV-HEPApurificationunit

scholarly journals Plant and Plant Associated Microflora: Potential Bioremediation Option of Indoor Air Pollutants

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
Y.H.K.I.S. Gunasinghe ◽  
I.V.N. Rathnayake ◽  
M.P. Deeyamulla
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Potted Plants ◽  
The People ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollution is a significant problem today because the release of various contaminants into the indoor air has created a major health threat for humans occupying indoors. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are pollutants released into the environment and persist in the atmosphere due to its low boiling point values. Various types of indoor activities, sources, and exposure to outdoor environments enhance indoor VOCs. This poor indoor air quality leads to adverse negative impacts on the people in the indoor environment. Many physical and chemical methods have been developed to remove or decompose these compounds from indoors. However, those methods are interrupted by many environmental and other factors in the indoor atmosphere, thus limit the applications. Therefore, there is a global need to develop an effective, promising, economical, and environmentally friendly alternatives to the problem. The use of the plant and associated microflora significantly impact reducing the environmental VOC gases, inorganic gases, particulate matter, and other pollutants contained in the air. Placing potted plants in indoor environments not only helps to remove indoor air pollutants but also to boost the mood, productivity, concentration, and creativity of the occupants and reduces stress, fatigue, sore throat, and cold.  Plants normally uptake air pollutants through the roots and leaves, then metabolize, sequestrate, and excrete them. Plant-associated microorganisms help to degrade, detoxify, or sequestrate the pollutants, the air remediation, and promote plant growth. Further studies on the plant varieties and microorganisms help develop eco-friendly and environmentally friendly indoor air purifying sources.

Research on Indoor Air Pollution Controll in China

2012 ◽  
Vol 599 ◽  
pp. 525-528
Author(s):  
Yu Guo Zhuo ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
Yu Chun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Present Status ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Indoor Air Pollutants

According to present status in China to controll indoor air pollution should go on from six aspects that are temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, selecting material, purification technology and plant purification. The higher the temperature and relative humidity is, the easier indoor air pollutants are released. Ventilation and selecting material is an efficient way to controll indoor air pollution. Plant purification is a good way to improve the living environment.

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