Article
Environmental Sciences
Dan Cudjoe, Hong Wang, Bangzhu Zhu
Summary: Solid waste collection and recycling are considered necessary by countries worldwide due to the recent emphasis on conservation of resources and environmental protection. In China, solid waste recycling has become a critical issue due to resource depletion and the need for sustainable economic growth. The study found significant energy and environmental benefits from recycling solid waste, with notable savings in electricity and reductions in CO2 and methane emissions. However, the recycling of certain types of solid waste like steel, plastics, and paper had negative impacts on the environment in terms of VOCs and PM emissions, calling for measures to minimize pollutant emissions during the recycling process.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bruno Rafael de Almeida Moreira, Victor Hugo Cruz, Marcelo Rodrigues Barbosa Junior, Paulo Renato Matos Lopes, Rouverson Pereira da Silva
Summary: This study introduces the use of biogenic extract from spent coffee grains to manage emissions of gases in solid biofuel, particularly wood pellets. The research proves the effectiveness of this method and identifies temperature and humidity as influencing factors. Findings have important implications for optimizing storage and transportation practices of pellets.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sergey N. Maximoff, Rajat Mittal, Ajeet Kaushik, Jaspreet S. Dhau
Summary: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a significant class of indoor air pollutants and reducing their levels can be achieved through the use of activated carbons (ACs). A study estimated the amount of AC needed under different conditions using literature data on thermophysical parameters for 45 pairs of AC-VOC.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manasa Reddy, Mohammad Heidarinejad, Brent Stephens, Israel Rubinstein
Summary: Indoor air quality in nursing homes often exceeds outdoor levels, which may adversely affect the health of elderly residents who are more susceptible to air pollutants. Regular monitoring and improvement of indoor air quality in nursing homes can reduce medical expenditures and improve residents' quality of life.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alejandro Moreno-Rangel, Filbert Musau, Tim Sharpe, Grainne McGill
Summary: This study compared the indoor air quality of the first residential Passivhaus in Latin America with a standard home in Mexico City, finding that Passivhaus showed lower levels of CO2, tVOC, and PM2.5. The results suggest that Passivhaus dwellings in Latin America may provide better and healthier indoor air quality. Further large-scale studies should investigate the indoor environmental conditions, energy performance, and design of Passivhaus dwellings in the region.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chieh-An Cheng, Ting-Chun Ching, Shih-Wei Tsai, Kai-Jen Chuang, Hsiao-Chi Chuang, Ta-Yuan Chang
Summary: This study investigated the indoor concentrations of five volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in different locations on a medical university campus. The study found that dichloromethane was the most detected compound, and the Department of Medicine had the highest concentration of the total VOCs. The carcinogenic risks of dichloromethane and benzene were classified as possible for faculty members, and the noncarcinogenic risks were relatively low.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicole Becker Portela, Elba Calesso Teixeira, Dayana Milena Agudelo-Castaneda, Matheus da Silva Civeira, Luis Felipe Oliveira Silva, Alvaro Vigo, Prashant Kumar
Summary: This study evaluated the indoor-outdoor relationships of nanoparticles, black carbon, and volatile organic compounds in rural and urban preschools, finding higher concentrations of these pollutants outdoors. Emission sources were identified, with traffic emissions playing a significant role in urban areas. The findings emphasize the need to improve ventilation and commuting styles to reduce children's exposure to air pollutants in and around school environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Argel Gastelum-Arellanez, Jovanni Esquivel-Dias, Rigoberto Lopez-Padilla, Victor Hugo Robledo, Rodriguez Paulina, Monica Fabiola Beltran, Jose Octavio Saucedo-Lucero
Summary: This study analyzed the pollution level at the indoor environments of public transport units in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico during winter season, identifying fuel combustion vapors as the main source of pollutants and xylene as the most representative organic pollutant with potential health risks to bus users.
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Ningrui Liu, Zhongming Bu, Wei Liu, Haidong Kan, Zhuohui Zhao, Furong Deng, Chen Huang, Bin Zhao, Xiangang Zeng, Yuexia Sun, Hua Qian, Jinhan Mo, Chanjuan Sun, Jianguo Guo, Xiaohong Zheng, Louise B. Weschler, Yinping Zhang
Summary: Over the past two decades, China has experienced rapid urbanization and economic growth, resulting in severe indoor air pollution from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study conducted a systematic review of field measurements of eight target VOCs in residences, offices, and schools in China from 2000 to 2021. The results revealed that benzene, toluene, and xylenes have been more serious indoor pollutants in China compared to other countries. The study also found that the lower indoor VOC levels were observed in the eastern and southeastern regions, and there was a declining trend from 2000 to 2021. The findings highlight the importance of reducing benzene exposure and improving ventilation to decrease indoor VOC exposure in China.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sutharsini Sivanantham, Claire Dassonville, Anthony Gregoire, Laeticia Malingre, Olivier Ramalho, Corinne Mandin
Summary: A nationwide indoor air quality survey in French schools between 2013 and 2017 revealed different profiles of indoor pollution, including classrooms with high concentrations of phthalates, air pollutants, dust pollutants, or lower pollutant levels. These clusters were characterized by building characteristics and outdoor environmental factors, with highly-polluted classrooms tending to be older, less mechanically ventilated, with higher outdoor pollutant concentrations and signs of building dampness.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gayatri Sankaran, Sze Tat Tan, Joanna Shen, Ramona Gutierrez, Lee Ching Ng, Shuzhen Sim
Summary: This study assessed the indoor air quality (IAQ) risk in 100 air-conditioned small business units in Singapore's shophouses. The majority of the units had high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), with nail salons exhibiting the highest pollution levels. Improving ventilation and using low-emission products could enhance the IAQ in these small business units.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Matthias Richter, Wolfgang Horn, Elevtheria Juritsch, Andrea Klinge, Leon Radeljic, Oliver Jann
Summary: The study investigated emissions from over 30 natural building materials for interior works, finding that the majority of the materials had low emissions and met the AgBB evaluation scheme.
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Sasan Sadrizadeh, Runming Yao, Feng Yuan, Hazim Awbi, William Bahnfleth, Yang Bi, Guangyu Cao, Cristiana Croitoru, Richard de Dear, Fariborz Haghighat, Prashant Kumar, Mojtaba Malayeri, Fuzhan Nasiri, Mathilde Ruud, Parastoo Sadeghian, Pawel Wargocki, Jing Xiong, Wei Yu, Baizhan Li
Summary: Indoor pollution has been ranked as one of the top environmental risks to public health, particularly affecting the health and development of students. Previous studies have focused on indoor air quality, ventilation, thermal comfort, etc., providing suggestions for improving school environments. However, future research is needed to further understand contaminant characteristics, regional differences, and the impact of indoor satisfaction on student performance and health.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicole Ninya, Laura Vallecillos, Rosa Maria Marce, Francesc Borrull
Summary: This study monitored the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (semi-VOCs) in indoor and outdoor environments in a school in Tarragona, Spain. The results showed a significant increase in solvent concentrations indoors due to the implementation of COVID-19 measures. The concentrations of organic compounds in indoor air were twenty times higher than those outdoors.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junxian Qin, Yun Pei, Yue Zheng, Daiqi Ye, Yun Hu
Summary: Fe-MOF derivative (M-300) was prepared by thermal treatment using MIL-100(Fe) as a precursor. M-300 catalyst showed excellent performance in the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bacteriostasis to Escherichia coli under visible light. The catalyst also exhibited the capacity of acetaldehyde degradation under actual sunlight. The high activity of M-300 is attributed to the abundant exposure of the unsaturated Fe2+ active site, promoting electron transfer and oxygen reduction process, thereby improving the efficiency of the photocatalytic oxidation reaction. This study demonstrates the potential application of MOFs derivatives in indoor photocatalytic purification and provides a new insight into catalyst modification for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)