Article
Thermodynamics
Chao Liu, Yalin Zhang, Limei Sun, Weijun Gao, Xiaotong Jing, Weirui Ye
Summary: The study found that undergraduate students performed best in indoor environments with 40% relative humidity and 24 degrees Celsius, with relative humidity having a greater impact on learning performance than air temperature. Low humidity environments decreased overall learning performance, emphasizing the importance of considering relative humidity when designing learning spaces.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Theofanis Psomas, Despoina Teli, Sarka Langer, Paula Wahlgren, Pawel Wargocki
Summary: The study found that low indoor relative humidity is a realistic issue in Swedish dwellings, especially in apartments. This issue is more prevalent in dwellings with higher indoor temperature, smaller volume, higher ventilation rate, lower number of occupants, constructed mainly after 1985, located in city suburbs and in the northern parts of the country.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jose Ali Porras-Salazar, Stefano Schiavon, Pawel Wargocki, Toby Cheung, Kwok Wai Tham
Summary: The relationship between air temperature and office work performance is complex and existing models are not accurate in predicting it. Various factors affect the research results, including the diversity of evaluation methods and the inability of temperature alone to fully describe the impact of the thermal environment on individuals.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yan Wang, Tao Yu, Jinhan Mo
Summary: This study investigates the influence of indoor environmental factors on the 24-hour toluene uptake rate of Tenax TA diffusive samplers and found that temperature, humidity, and concentration have significant effects on the uptake rate. The increase in temperature and humidity leads to a decrease in toluene uptake rate, while concentration has a positive impact.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fangyuan Zhang, Yuji Ryu
Summary: This study used numerical calculations and simulation techniques to investigate the effects of different ventilation methods on indoor air quality, and found that the ventilation mode significantly affects the distribution of condensation on indoor wall surfaces.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Liling Pan, Hanying Zheng, Tingxun Li
Summary: This study examined the impact of indoor thermal conditions on EEG signals and employed logistic regression to differentiate indoor thermal comfort. Twenty male participants were recruited to record resting EEG signals under different combinations of temperature, humidity, and air velocity. Subjective questionnaires were utilized to gather individuals' perceptions of the environment and used as criteria to develop logistic regression models. The findings demonstrated that theta, beta 1, beta 2, and gamma waves were highly similar at 22°C and 25°C, as well as velocity for all EEG waves at 0.5 and 1 m/s. Additionally, 70% relative humidity was determined as the cut-off point for high humidity in the humidity test for beta 1, beta 2, and gamma waves. Moreover, regression models were developed utilizing frequency bands associated with comfort, with the overall model accurately categorizing 88.6% of the data. This research serves as a foundation for further exploration of the interconnected environment and neuronal mechanisms.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Giacomo Tognon, Marco Marigo, Michele De Carli, Angelo Zarrella
Summary: In this paper, a co-simulation approach was applied to evaluate different control strategies for hybrid ventilation systems in terms of energy consumption and infection risk. The results show that increasing natural ventilation hours during the cooling season can significantly reduce energy demand and enhance infection control. Therefore, the hybrid ventilation system has the potential to maintain a healthy indoor environment and reduce energy consumption when properly regulated through suitable control strategies.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Yunqi Sun, Yong Zhang, Da Guo, Xiuyong Zhang, Yuyang Lai, Danfeng Luo
Summary: This paper proposes a distributed temperature and humidity control framework based on deep reinforcement learning to improve the precision and uniformity of indoor temperature and humidity. Experimental results demonstrate that the approach reduces adjustment time and energy consumption, while enhancing the control system's anti-interference capability.
IEEE INTERNET OF THINGS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Annemiek Maaskant, Isabel Janssen, Inge M. Wouters, Frank J. C. M. Eerdenburg, Edmond J. Remarque, Jan A. M. Langermans, Jaco Bakker
Summary: Indoor air quality is important for the health and wellbeing of animals. A study on group-housed macaques at a research center in the Netherlands evaluated the indoor air quality and found that the concentrations of inhalable dust and endotoxins did not exceed recommended limits. However, caretakers were exposed to higher levels than the animals and steps should be taken to reduce their exposure.
Article
Thermodynamics
Kung-Jeng Wang, Chiuhsiang Joe Lin, Teshome Bekele Dagne
Summary: This study proposes an adaptive temperature control approach that improves both the thermal comfort and task performance of occupants. The relationship between dissatisfaction rate, predictive mean vote, and indoor temperature is established and quantified to recommend the preferred temperature range under various combinations of comfort and performance. The proposed algorithm achieves a significant energy-saving of 9.98% within the desired temperature range.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THERMAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yaojie Li, Xinlei Liu, Yatai Men, Zhihan Luo, Rui Xiong, Jianpeng Li, Hefa Cheng, Shu Tao, Guofeng Shen
Summary: Nearly three billion people still rely on traditional solid fuels, leading to potentially harmful levels of indoor CO2 exposure. A study in rural coal-use households found significantly elevated indoor CO2 concentrations, posing a variety of health risks. Efforts to reduce exposure to indoor CO2 are crucial for public health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Su-Gwang Jeong, Minju Kim, Taemin Lee, Jeonghun Lee
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of installing pre-filter systems in Seoul to reduce PM2.5 levels in newly constructed buildings. Results showed that pre-filters were more effective in reducing outdoor PM2.5 levels and led to a significant decrease in indoor PM2.5 concentrations.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Tuomas Raunima, Anssi Laukkarinen, Antti Kauppinen, Mihkel Kiviste, Eero Tuominen, Joonas Ketko, Juha Vinha
Summary: Measurements of indoor air temperature and relative humidity in schools and day-care centers in Finnish municipal buildings with mechanical ventilation showed that the indoor air was too dry, which can have negative effects on the air quality experienced by users.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Wang, Dan Norback
Summary: The study found that indoor air quality issues mainly focused on room temperature, air humidity, and room air exchange rate. The research also indicated that higher ventilation and concrete slab foundation with underlying thermal insulation can improve indoor air quality.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Brandon Bottorff, Chen Wang, Emily Reidy, Colleen Rosales, Delphine K. Farmer, Marina E. Vance, Jonathan P. D. Abbatt, Philip S. Stevens
Summary: Despite the lack of full understanding of the chemistry of nitrous acid (HONO) in the indoor environment, this study presents results from comparing measurements of HONO using different instruments. The findings indicate that HONO has a long enough lifetime to be quickly distributed indoors and mix throughout the house, contributing to the oxidative capacity indoors.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Philippe Glorennec, Derek G. Shendell, Pat E. Rasmussen, Roger Waeber, Peter Egeghy, Kenichi Azuma, Aurelie Pelfrene, Barbara Le Bot, Williams Esteve, Guillaume Perouel, Valerie Pernelet Joly, Yves Noack, Matthieu Delannoy, Marion Keirsbulck, Corinne Mandin
Summary: Indoor settled dust can result in human exposure to chemicals, necessitating the development of guidelines. An international scientific workshop held in Paris in 2019 assessed the importance of these guidelines for public health and discussed scientific challenges, reaching consensus on the need for such guidelines.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ioannis Sakellaris, Dikaia Saraga, Corinne Mandin, Yvonne de Kluizenaar, Serena Fossati, Andrea Spinazze, Andrea Cattaneo, Victor Mihucz, Tamas Szigeti, Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes, Krystallia Kalimeri, Rosanna Mabilia, Paolo Carrer, John Bartzis
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between indoor pollutant concentrations and reported health symptoms of building-related occupants in 148 office rooms. The findings showed that offices with higher pollutant concentrations were more likely to have occupants reporting health symptoms, with various pollutants showing associations with different health symptoms, such as formaldehyde with respiratory and general symptoms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Atsushi Mizukoshi, Chikako Nakama, Jiro Okumura, Kenichi Azuma
Summary: The study assessed the risk of COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers and the effectiveness of face masks and face shields in a healthcare setting. It found that droplet spraying was the main pathway of infection, and that personal protective equipment significantly reduced the risk of infection.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Toxicology
Niels Hadrup, Marie Frederiksen, Eva B. Wedebye, Nikolai G. Nikolov, Tanja K. Caroe, Jorid B. Sorli, Karen B. Frydendall, Biase Liguori, Camilla S. Sejbaek, Peder Wolkoff, Esben M. Flachs, Vivi Schlunssen, Harald W. Meyer, Per A. Clausen, Karin S. Hougaard
Summary: The study revealed that some substances in spray cleaning products may induce asthma, while also identifying significant knowledge gaps for most substances. More data are needed to prevent safety issues in future spray cleaning products, and prioritizing substances for further testing is recommended.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
News Item
Oncology
Margaret R. Karagas, Amy Wang, David C. Dorman, Amy L. Hall, Jingbo Pi, Consolato M. Sergi, Elaine Symanski, Elizabeth M. Ward, Victoria H. Arrandale, Kenichi Azuma, Eduardo Brambila, Gloria M. Calaf, Jason M. Fritz, Shoji Fukushima, Joanna M. Gaitens, Tom K. Grimsrud, Lei Guo, Elsebeth Lynge, Amelia P. Marinho-Reis, Melissa A. McDiarmid, Daniel R. S. Middleton, Thomas P. Ong, David A. Polya, Betzabet Quintanilla-Vega, Georgia K. Roberts, Tiina Santonen, Riitta Sauni, Maria J. Silva, Pascal Wild, Changwen W. Zhang, Qunwei Zhang, Yann Grosse, Lamia Benbrahim-Tallaa, Aline de Conti, Nathan L. DeBono, Fatiha El Ghissassi, Federica Madia, Bradley Reisfeld, Leslie T. Stayner, Eero Suonio, Susana Viegas, Roland Wedekind, Shukrullah Ahmadi, Heidi Mattock, William M. Gwinn, Mary K. Schubauer-Berigan
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Kenichi Azuma, Naoki Kagi, U. Yanagi, Hoon Kim, Haruki Osawa
Summary: This longitudinal epidemiological study conducted in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, for over 1 year examined the association between indoor environmental factors and building-related symptoms in office workers. The results showed that lower humidity levels were significantly correlated with decreased upper respiratory symptoms, while average relative humidity of less than 38% was significantly associated with increased risk of upper respiratory symptoms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrizia Urso, Andrea Cattaneo, Salvatore Pulvirenti, Franco Vercelli, Domenico Maria Cavallo, Paolo Carrer
Summary: This statistical study aims to identify the key factors that have affected the spread of the Covid-19 virus during the early phase of the pandemic in Italy, including demographic, environmental pollution, and climate factors. The study found that population size confirmed the importance of social distancing, pollution had a significant impact on the increase in infection, and various weather factors were also related to virus transmission. The results suggest that caution should be taken in crowded, highly polluted, and weakly exposed areas.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Per Axel Clausen, Vivi Kofoed-Sorensen, Simon Pelle Jensen, Bianca Xuan Nguyen Larsen, Alexander Christian osterskov Jensen, Marie Frederiksen, Peder Wolkoff
Summary: This study characterized aerosol generation in spray scenarios and found that cleaning work using spray products has been associated with adverse respiratory effects. The average mass generation rates of different spray products did not differ significantly, but the individual sprays had large variations. The distance of the nozzle to a cloth significantly reduced the concentration of the generated aerosols.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Atsushi Mizukoshi, Jiro Okumura, Kenichi Azuma
Summary: This study demonstrates the simulated exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in an office environment based on a real cluster occurrence. The study finds that aerosol and fomite transmission are major pathways, and wearing masks and increasing ventilation can effectively reduce the risk of infection.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marco Mendola, Marco Leoni, Ylenia Cozzi, Andrea Manzari, Fabio Tonelli, Francesca Metruccio, Luca Tosti, Vera Battini, Isabella Cucchi, Maria Cristina Costa, Paolo Carrer
Summary: COVID-19 can have long-lasting effects on the work ability and fitness to work of healthcare workers. Symptoms of Long-COVID were found to persist after recovery, with physical symptoms decreasing while memory and anxiety/depression symptoms remained persistent. There was an increase in judgements with restrictions at the return-to-work examination, but a slight decrease was observed during the survey.
MEDICINA DEL LAVORO
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paolo Carrer
SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Atsuko Araki, Kenichi Azuma, Ginji Endo, Yoko Endo, Tetsuhito Fukushima, Kunio Hara, Kouji Harada, Hajime Hori, Seichi Horie, Hyogo Horiguchi, Masayoshi Ichiba, Gaku Ichihara, Tatsuya Ishitake, Akiyoshi Ito, Yuki Ito, Satoko Iwasawa, Takeyasu Kakamu, Michihiro Kamijima, Kanae Karita, Toshio Kawai, Toshihiro Kawamoto, Reiko Kishi, Shinji Kumagai, Akiko Matsumoto, Muneyuki Miyagawa, Hiroyuki Miyauchi, Yasuo Morimoto, Kasuke Nagano, Hisao Naito, Tamie Nakajima, Makiko Nakano, Tetsuo Nomiyama, Hirokazu Okuda, Masayuki Okuda, Kazuyuki Omae, Kazuhiro Sato, Tomotaka Sobue, Yasushi Suwazono, Toru Takebayashi, Tatsuya Takeshita, Akito Takeuchi, Ayano Takeuchi, Shigeru Tanaka, Mayumi Tsuji, Teruomi Tsukahara, Susumu Ueno, Jun Ueyama, Yumi Umeda, Kenya Yamamoto, Yuko Yamano, Takenori Yamauchi, Eiji Yano
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dewan Muhammad Shoaib, Tanvir Ahmed, Kazy Farhat Tabassum, Mehedi Hasan, Fazle Sharior, Mahbubur Rahman, Makfie Farah, Md Azizur Rahman, Alauddin Ahmed, James B. Tidwell, Mahbub-Ul Alam
Summary: An intervention was implemented in Bangladesh during COVID-19 to reduce occupational health risks for waste and sanitation workers. The intervention involved training and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE). The study found that the intervention improved workers' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding PPE usage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andreas Kortenkamp, Olwenn Martin, Eleni Iacovidou, Martin Scholze
Summary: The European Food Safety Authority's downward revision of the Health-based Guidance Value for bisphenol A (BPA) has led to disagreements with other regulatory agencies, particularly the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The differing views between EFSA and BfR are driven by their respective selection of endpoints and study evaluation systems, as well as their acceptance or refusal of immunotoxic effects as a basis for establishing a Health-based Guidance Value.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shizhen He, Bjorn Lundberg, Jenny Hallberg, Susanna Klevebro, Goran Pershagen, Kristina Eneroth, Erik Melen, Matteo Bottai, Olena Gruzieva
Summary: Early life air pollution exposure and abnormal inflammation-related protein profiles may interact synergistically towards lower lung function in infants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paulien Cleys, Emilie Hardy, Yu Ait Bamai, Giulia Poma, Adam Cseresznye, Govindan Malarvannan, Paul T. J. Scheepers, Susana Viegas, Simo P. Porras, Tiina Santonen, Lode Godderis, Jelle Verdonck, Katrien Poels, Carla Martins, Maria Joao Silva, Henriqueta Louro, Inese Martinsone, Lasma Akulova, An van Nieuwenhuyse, Martien Graumans, Selma Mahiout, Radu Corneliu Duca, Adrian Covaci
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of e-waste workers to phthalates and alternative plasticizers. The results showed that e-waste workers had higher urinary concentrations of phthalates and metabolites compared to non-occupationally exposed controls. However, no significant differences were found between pre-and post-shift concentrations in the e-waste workers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karolina Bralewska
Summary: This review study examines the concentrations of various air pollutants in fire stations, identifies the limitations and strengths of existing research, identifies research gaps and challenges, and suggests potential solutions for reducing firefighter exposure to air pollution at fire stations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2024)