Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ji-Young Son, M. Benjamin Sabath, Kevin J. Lane, Marie Lynn Miranda, Francesca Dominici, Qian Di, Joel Schwartz, Michelle L. Bell
Summary: This study found that individuals living in low socioeconomic status and high greenness areas had lower associations between PM2.5 exposure and mortality. Multiple aspects of disparity factors and their interactions may affect health disparities from air pollution exposures.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mohammad Al-Rawi, Charles A. Ikutegbe, Amar Auckaili, Mohammed M. Farid
Summary: Many New Zealand homes suffer from poor indoor air quality due to inadequate insulation and ventilation, leading to cold, damp and mouldy conditions. The use of modified ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights-dehumidifier with filters has shown promising results in improving ambient air quality by reducing moisture, particulate matter, mold and bacteria growth.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
E. Caracci, L. Canale, G. Buonanno, L. Stabile
Summary: This study aimed to bridge the gap between lack of awareness and understanding of how occupant behavior affects indoor air quality (IAQ). An evaluation of IAQ awareness and an investigation of an eco-feedback strategy were conducted. The results showed that occupants were not properly aware of IAQ in their homes, but the eco-feedback strategy successfully promoted behavioral changes and reduced particle concentration during cooking activities.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jinding Huang, Xiaoke Wang, Jifeng Guo, Xiaolu Wang, Mengli Ji, Lihui Huang
Summary: In this study, field monitoring data was used to analyze the distribution characteristics of phthalates. The partition coefficients showed differences between summer and winter, and the distribution was influenced by the built environment. The estimated partition coefficients based on empirical equations differed from the values derived from field monitoring data.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhiyuan Li, Xinning Tong, Jason Man Wai Ho, Timothy C. Y. Kwok, Guanghui Dong, Kin-Fai Ho, Steve Hung Lam Yim
Summary: This study successfully developed models to predict PM2.5 concentration in residential households using a combination of land-use regression and machine learning approaches. The random forest model achieved a high predictive accuracy, with outdoor PM2.5 concentration being identified as the most important predictor variable.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mahmoud M. M. Abdel-Salam
Summary: The study revealed significant spatial variation in indoor and outdoor air pollutant levels, mainly influenced by ventilation, indoor activities, and socioeconomic factors. Households with natural ventilation had higher air exchange rates and stronger associations between indoor and outdoor pollutant levels compared to mechanically ventilated households. Socioeconomic status was found to be a significant predictor for indoor air quality, with lower income and education levels associated with higher indoor pollutant levels.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Bonnie N. Young, Wande O. Benka-Coker, Zachary D. Weller, Shannon Oliver, Joshua W. Schaeffer, Sheryl Magzamen
Summary: This study examined student absenteeism as a potential mediator between indoor environmental quality and test scores, but found no significant impact. Socioeconomic status and student demographics were found to be key influencers of test performance, while student absenteeism itself was identified as an important driver of test scores.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kyungmo Kang, Taeyeon Kim, Hyungkeun Kim
Summary: The study revealed that indoor air pollution from particles, mainly caused by indoor activities like cooking, leads to prolonged indoor particle concentrations. Outdoor sources were found to be the predominant sources of particle exposure, suggesting that reducing outdoor penetration is crucial in lowering indoor PN concentration by improving building airtightness through the addition of air filtration.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hye Kwan Kong, Dan Ki Yoon, Hye Won Lee, Cheol Min Lee
Summary: The study aimed to determine ventilation conditions for managing indoor air quality during cooking in a typical South Korean residential home. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations varied depending on ventilation conditions, but were high when inappropriate methods were used. Using appropriate ventilation conditions is effective in reducing PM10 and PM2.5 generated during cooking.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mengyuan Zhang, Longyi Shao, Tim Jones, Ying Hu, Rachel Adams, Kelly BeruBe
Summary: This study evaluated the hemolytic activity of PM10 samples collected from coal-burning homes in Xuanwei, China, and analyzed their trace elemental contents. The results showed a positive correlation between the concentration of trace elements in PM10 samples and their hemolytic activity. Heavy metal elements, such as zinc, lead, and cesium, were found to positively correlate with hemolysis, while lithium, uranium, and vanadium negatively correlated with hemolysis. These findings suggest that heavy metal elements may be responsible for the hemolytic capacity of indoor PM10 in coal-burning environments.
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shunichi Hattori, Toshiya Iwamatsu, Teruhisa Miura, Fujio Tsutsumi, Nobuyuki Tanaka
Summary: This study investigated the actual condition of indoor air quality in houses and found that the use of combustion heaters increased CO2 concentration, while decreased outdoor temperature led to lower ventilation frequency and higher CO2 concentration. The occupants' IAQ awareness did not align with the actual IAQ in their homes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zahra Aghashariatmadari
Summary: The study showed that during the lockdown period, there was a decrease in the concentrations of major pollutants and the Air Quality Index (AQI), but some pollutant concentrations increased after the lockdown, mainly due to the removal of traffic control plan and increased use of private vehicles.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jihee Kim, Ji-Hye Lee, Yunji Song, Ha-Jung Kim
Summary: This study analyzed the correlation between indoor house dust mite (HDM) concentration, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) severity, and residential environments in 35 CAD dogs and 13 healthy dogs. The results showed that Der f 1 concentration had a negative association with transepidermal water loss (TEWL), but no association with CAD severity index-04 (CADESI-04) and pruritus visual analog scale (PVAS). Der f 1 concentration was significantly higher in the group living near green areas and with indoor relative humidity (RH) ≥40%. The study suggests that living near green areas and maintaining appropriate indoor climate may improve CAD clinical symptoms, and high concentrations of HDM may enhance the skin barrier function.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mahmoud Fathy ElSharkawy
Summary: This study aimed to assess indoor air quality (IAQ) by monitoring various air pollutants in selected homes in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The findings showed that the highest levels of PM10, CO2, and NO2 were found in kitchens, while the highest level of CO was found in living rooms. PM10 levels exceeded air quality guidelines in homes near industrial and agricultural areas.
INDOOR AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jingyi Mu, Jian Kang
Summary: This study investigates the indoor environment of residential elderly care facilities in cold regions and examines the sensitivity of the elderly to these facilities. The study finds a nonlinear relationship between brightness, illuminance, and satisfaction with the lighting environment. It also identifies significant variations in relative humidity among different room types in different seasons. Moreover, the study reveals that odor assessment has a poor correlation with overall indoor environmental quality. The findings indicate that participants are generally satisfied with the facilities' indoor environmental quality, which is influenced by physical, environmental, and demographic factors.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)