Phytoremediation of Formaldehyde in Indoor Environment With Common House Plants and Pseudomonas Chlororaphis

Low light survivor house plants were assessed for their formaldehyde removal capacity from indoor environment. Low ventilation leading to poor air circulation in indoor environment has become a matter of grave concern as it leads to health issues. Phytoremediation technology is being studied in such situations. The capacity of plants in absorbing indoor pollutants can be enhanced through use of bacteria helping phytoremediation process. The gaseous formaldehyde of about 5 ppm was released into the static chamber of volume 1 m3 . Selected test plants were Aglaonema commutatum, Chlorophytum comosum, Sansevieria trifasciata and Epipremnum aureum. Medium in which plants were growing was inoculated with Pseudomonas chlororaphis, which helps the process of phytoremediation. Activated charcoal was also added in the medium, to increase the absorptive surface. The exposure given was for 24 hours. Experiment was replicated for three times. Air quality in the chamber was monitored on advanced Formaldehyde meter, at the start of the experiment and after 24 hours. Leaves of the plants were analysed by DNPH on LCMS method for quantification of Formaldehyde. Quantification of Formaldehyde from leaves ranged between 0.03–4.7 ppm. Formaldehyde meter showed reduction in formaldehyde quantity ranges from 1.999 to 0 ppm in 24 hours. This clearly indicates that selected plants have enhanced limited capacity of formaldehyde absorption in synergy with Pseudomonas chlororaphis.

The short-term effect of residential home energy retrofits on indoor air quality and microbial exposure: A case-control study

Weatherization of residential homes is a widespread procedure to retrofit older homes to improve the energy efficiency by reducing building leakage. Several studies have evaluated the effect of weatherization on indoor pollutants, such as formaldehyde, radon, and indoor particulates, but few studies have evaluated the effect of weatherization on indoor microbial exposure. Here, we monitored indoor pollutants and bacterial communities during reductions in building leakage for weatherized single-family residential homes in New York State and compared the data to non-weatherized homes. Nine weatherized and eleven non-weatherized single-family homes in Tompkins County, New York were sampled twice: before and after the weatherization procedures for case homes, and at least 3 months apart for control homes that were not weatherized. We found that weatherization efforts led to a significant increase in radon levels, a shift in indoor microbial community, and a warmer and less humid indoor environment. In addition, we found that changes in indoor airborne bacterial load after weatherization were more sensitive to shifts in season, whereas indoor radon levels were more sensitive to ventilation rates.

The effectiveness of personalised versus generic information in changing behaviour: Evidence from an indoor air quality experiment

While indoor air pollution is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, its sources and impacts are largely misunderstood by the public. In a randomized controlled trial including 281 households in France, we test two interventions aimed at raising households' awareness of indoor pollutants and ultimately improving indoor air quality. While both generic and personalised information increase awareness, only personalised information is successful in shifting behaviour and decreasing indoor air pollution - by 20% compared to the control group. Heterogeneous treatment effects show that this effect is concentrated on the most polluted households at baseline.

Exclusive and ultrasensitive detection of formaldehyde at room temperature using a flexible and monolithic chemiresistive sensor

Formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen, is a ubiquitous indoor pollutant, but its highly selective detection has been a long-standing challenge. Herein, a chemiresistive sensor that can detect ppb-level formaldehyde in an exclusive manner at room temperature is designed. The TiO2 sensor exhibits under UV illumination highly selective detection of formaldehyde and ethanol with negligible cross-responses to other indoor pollutants. The coating of a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) composed of zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-7) nanoparticles and polymers on TiO2 sensing films removed ethanol interference completely by molecular sieving, enabling an ultrahigh selectivity (response ratio > 50) and response (resistance ratio > 1,100) to 5 ppm formaldehyde at room temperature. Furthermore, a monolithic and flexible sensor is fabricated successfully using a TiO2 film sandwiched between a flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate and MMM overlayer. Our work provides a strategy to achieve exclusive selectivity and high response to formaldehyde, demonstrating the promising potential of flexible gas sensors for indoor air monitoring.

Background concentration of indoor air quality in hostel rooms during varying conditions

The indoor air pollutants in student hostel room during eight different conditions were evaluated.One minute interval of TVOC, CO2, CO, O3 concentrations, temperature and relative humidity weremeasured inside a vacant hostel room of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Four fan speeds of 0, 1, 3 and5 and the installed window being open and close were selected as the basis to determine thecondition inside the hostel room. Result suggested that the concentrations of indoor air pollutantswere below the maximum permissible values outlined by Industrial Code of Practice on Indoor AirPollutants except for O3, with maximum concentration are 576 ppb (TVOC), 666 ppm (CO2), 4.4ppm (CO) and 90 ppb (O3). The hourly trend of TVOC and CO2 concentrations with peakconcentrations were observed in the morning (8 a.m.) due to outdoor traffic emission which greatlyinfluenced the indoor pollutants variation. Meanwhile, O3 showed some delay in time to reach peakconcentrations that were observed at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Result indicate that the conditions set upwere incapable in the regulation of indoor pollutants variation since these pollutants are moredependent with the source of emission and destruction factors.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among workers exposed to in-dustrial aerosols: literature review

The article presents a literature review regarding the formation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in conditions of the exposure of industrial aerosols. It shows a high frequency of occupational respiratory hazards, characterizes the diseases caused by air pollution with industrial and indoor pollutants, allergens and toxins in different occupational groups as well as basic conditions for development of dust pathology of the lungs.

Energy-Efficient Homes

The built environment has changed dramatically due to the increased interest in mitigating climate change. Homes are becoming more energy-efficient, responding to energy issues, and reducing carbon emissions primarily. Nevertheless, we started to realize the unintended consequences of these changes that impact a home's indoor environment and occupants' health. Indoor air quality is a critical aspect as indoor pollutants are increasing in homes. More than ever, it is crucial to adhere to the best ventilation practices, building materials, and cleaning products. Additionally, behaviour changes, such as those for healthy homes, can prevent their health impact. Interdisciplinary research between public health and building professionals needs to educate citizens and present evidence for legislative changes and recommendations to spur change to reduce indoor air pollution and protect vulnerable populations preventing harmful effects on future generations' health.