Developing evidence-based prescriptive ventilation rate standards for commercial buildings in California: a proposed framework

Mendell, Mark J.

doi:10.2172/1164281

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Minimum ventilation standards, for example, ASHRAE () Standard 62.1 and the California Energy Commission Building Energy Efficiency Standards Title 24 (CEC, ), specify VRs with the intention to maintain acceptable IAQ in buildings. Despite this intention, the determination of the minimum VR in standards has not explicitly considered indoor air contaminant concentrations or the associated health outcomes (Mendell and Fisk, ). There are studies that focus on measuring pollutant concentrations and/or VRs in commercial buildings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimated effect of ventilation and filtration on chronic health risks in U.S. offices, schools, and retail stores

et al. 2015

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We assessed the chronic health risks from inhalation exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM2.5) in U.S. offices, schools, grocery, and other retail stores and evaluated how chronic health risks were affected by changes in ventilation rates and air filtration efficiency. Representative concentrations of VOCs and PM2.5 were obtained from available data. Using a mass balance model, changes in exposure to VOCs and PM2.5 were predicted if ventilation rate were to increase or decrease by a factor of two, and if higher efficiency air filters were used. Indoor concentrations were compared to health guidelines to estimate percentage exceedances. The estimated chronic health risks associated with VOC and PM2.5 exposures in these buildings were low relative to the risks from exposures in homes. Chronic health risks were driven primarily by exposures to PM2.5 that were evaluated using disease incidence of mortality, chronic bronchitis, and non-fatal stroke. The leading cancer risk factor was exposure to formaldehyde. Using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to account for both cancer and non-cancer effects, results suggest that increasing ventilation alone is ineffective at reducing chronic health burdens. Other strategies, such as pollutant source control and the use of particle filtration, should also be considered.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimated effect of ventilation and filtration on chronic health risks in U.S. offices, schools, and retail stores

et al. 2015

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“…Given that the effects of ventilation rate on cancer risk and other chronic health effects are relatively small, Mendell and Fisk (2013) argue that minimum ventilation requirements, at least in office buildings, should be based on the need to prevent acute outcomes. These may include building related sick building syndrome symptoms, dissatisfaction with perceived air quality, and decrements in work performance.…”

Section: Stores With Formaldehyde Being the Key Contaminant Of Concernmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These may include building related sick building syndrome symptoms, dissatisfaction with perceived air quality, and decrements in work performance. Mendell and Fisk (2013) further identified areas that demand more data: notable are the relationship of ventilation rates to illness absence rates, and also to the rates of communicable respiratory infections. Some of these concerns are also relevant in retail stores.…”

Section: Stores With Formaldehyde Being the Key Contaminant Of Concernmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy Zero Energy Buildings (HZEB) Program - Cross-Sectional Study of Contaminant Levels, Source, Strengths, and Ventilation Rates in Retail Stores

Chan¹,

Sidheswaran²,

Cohn³

et al. 2014

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This field study measured ventilation rates and indoor air quality parameters in 21 visits to retail stores in California. The data was collected to guide the development of new, science-based commercial building ventilation rate standards that balance the dual objectives of increasing energy efficiency and maintaining acceptable indoor air quality. Data collection occurred between September 2011 and March 2013. Three types of stores participated in this study: grocery stores, furniture/hardware stores, and apparel stores. Ventilation rates and indoor air contaminant concentrations were measured on a weekday, typically between 9 am and 6 pm. Ventilation rates measured using a tracer gas decay method exceeded the minimum requirement of California's Title 24 Standard in all but one store. Even though there was adequate ventilation according to Title 24, concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein exceeded the most stringent chronic health guidelines. Other indoor air contaminants measured included carbon dioxide (CO 2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3), and particulate matter (PM). Concentrations of CO 2 were kept low by adequate ventilation, and were assumed low also because the sampling occurred on a weekday when retail stores were less busy. CO concentrations were also low. The indoor-outdoor ratios of O 3 showed that the first-order loss rate may vary by store trade types and also by ventilation mode (mechanical versus natural). Analysis of fine and ultrafine PM measurements showed that a substantial portion of the particle mass in grocery stores with cooking-related emissions was in particles less than 0.3 µm. Stores without cooking as an indoor source had PM size distributions that were more similar indoors and outdoors. The whole-building emission rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and PM were estimated from the measured ventilation rates and indoor and outdoor contaminant concentrations. Mass balance models were then used to determine the ventilation rates, filtration strategies, or source reductions needed to maintain indoor contaminant concentrations below reference levels. Several scenarios of potential concern were considered: (i) formaldehyde levels in furniture/hardware stores, (ii) contaminants associated with cooking (e.g., PM, acrolein, and acetaldehyde) in grocery stores, and (iii) outdoor contaminants (e.g., PM and O 3) impacting stores that use natural ventilation. Estimated formaldehyde emission rates suggest that retail stores would need to ventilate at levels far exceeding the current Title 24 requirement to lower indoor concentrations below California's stringent formaldehyde reference level. Given the high costs of providing ventilation but only modest chronic health benefit is expected, effective source control is an attractive alternative, as demonstrated by some retail stores in this study. Predictions showed that grocery stores need MERV 13 air filters, instead of MERV 8 filters that are more commonly used, to maintain indoor PM at levels that meet the chronic he...

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Developing evidence-based prescriptive ventilation rate standards for commercial buildings in California: a proposed framework

Cited by 2 publications

References 28 publications

Estimated effect of ventilation and filtration on chronic health risks in U.S. offices, schools, and retail stores

Estimated effect of ventilation and filtration on chronic health risks in U.S. offices, schools, and retail stores

Healthy Zero Energy Buildings (HZEB) Program - Cross-Sectional Study of Contaminant Levels, Source, Strengths, and Ventilation Rates in Retail Stores

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