Indoor Air Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions: Design Proposals to Greener Cities

Mata, Teresa M.; Oliveira, Gisela; Silva, Gabriela Ventura; Caetano, Nídia S.; Martins, António A.

doi:10.3390/ijerph18168472

Cited by 32 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Biological methods typically generate fewer secondary pollutants and are less energy intensive, although some significant challenges remain. Thus, much of the scientific research developed recently is based on biological methods, highlighting nature-based solutions as promising alternatives [7,26]. These are based on existing solutions in nature to respond to human needs, following the principle of biomimetics [24], theorized in 1997 by Janine Benyus [27].…”

Section: Scope and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Air Quality: A Review of Cleaning Technologies

et al. 2022

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Aims: Indoor air quality (IAQ) has attracted increased attention with the emergence of COVID-19. Ventilation is perhaps the area in which the most changes have been proposed in response to the emergency caused by this virus. However, other strategies are possible, such as source control and the extraction of pollutants. The latter incorporates clean technologies, an emergent area with respect to IAQ. Method: Various air treatment technologies can be used to control contaminants, which are reviewed and discussed in this work, including physicochemical technologies (e.g., filtration, adsorption, UV-photocatalytic oxidation, ultraviolet disinfection and ionization) and biological technologies (e.g., plant purification methods and microalgae-based methods). Results and interpretation: This work reviews currently available solutions and technologies for “cleaning” indoor air, with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages. One of the most common problems in this area is the emission of pollutants that are sometimes more dangerous to human health than those that the technologies were developed to remove. Another aspect to consider is the limitation of each technology in relation to the type of pollutants that need to be removed. Each of the investigated technologies works well for a family of pollutants with similar characteristics, but it is not applicable to all pollutant types. Thus, the optimal solution may involve the use of a combination of technologies to extend the scope of application, in addition to the development of new materials, for example, through the use of nanotechnology.

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Section: Scope and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Air Quality: A Review of Cleaning Technologies

et al. 2022

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“…VOCs are pollutants typically found in indoor environments, with concentration levels sometimes 10 times higher than the respective outdoor air levels, regardless of the building location [28]. The major sources are building materials, furniture, cleaning products, use of incense and candles, cooking, and use of fireplaces, which associated with inadequate ventilation can cause high levels of these compounds [29].…”

Section: Vocs Formaldehyde and Emergent Compoundsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Air Quality in Elderly Centers: Pollutants Emission and Health Effects

et al. 2022

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The world population is ageing, in particular in the developed world, with a significant increase in the percentage of people above 60 years old. They represent a segment of the population that is more vulnerable to adverse environmental conditions. Among them, indoor air quality is one of the most relevant, as elders spend comparatively more time indoors than younger generations. Furthermore, the recent COVID-19 pandemic contributed immensely to raising awareness of the importance of breathing air quality for human health and of the fact that indoor air is a vector for airborne infections and poisoning. Hence, this work reviews the state of the art regarding indoor air quality in elderly centers, considering the type of pollutants involved, their emission sources, and their health effects. Moreover, the influence of ventilation on air quality is also addressed. Notwithstanding the potential health problems with the corresponding costs and morbidity effects, only a few studies have considered explicitly indoor air quality and its impacts on elderly health. More studies are, therefore, necessary to objectively identify what are the impacts on the health of elderly people due to the quality of indoor air and how it can be improved, either by reducing the pollutants emission sources or by more adequate ventilation and thermal comfort strategies.

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“…The LCC has become the new standard for China’s low-carbon economic development and new urbanization. The pilot LCC projects in China were divided into three batches [ 31 ]. The first batch was in 2010, and a total of five provinces and eight cities were included in the pilot scope.…”

Section: Policy Background and Research Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Low-Carbon City (LCC) on Elderly People’s Health: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in China

Mohiuddin

2022

IJERPH

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Rapid urbanization has increased haze pollution, affecting the health of elderly people. This study uses low-carbon city (LCC) data and examines the effects of LCCs on improving the health of elderly residents. Our main purpose is to explore the following question: Can the new urbanization model presented by the LCC alleviate haze pollution and enhance the health of middle-aged and elderly people? This study uses data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the 2012 LCC pilot to explore whether the LCC can alleviate haze pollution and improve elderly people’s health. The study found that the building of LCCs can reduce blood pressure, improve vital capacity, decrease obesity, and improve memory levels, including short-term and long-term memory. The building of LCCs also reduces the probability of being exposed to haze pollution by increasing the city’s green total factor productivity and the use of green technologies. The study concludes that elderly people received health dividends as a result of the enhancement of living conditions, transportation, and medical support in the LCCs.

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Indoor Air Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions: Design Proposals to Greener Cities

Cited by 32 publications

References 70 publications

Indoor Air Quality: A Review of Cleaning Technologies

Indoor Air Quality: A Review of Cleaning Technologies

Indoor Air Quality in Elderly Centers: Pollutants Emission and Health Effects

The Impact of Low-Carbon City (LCC) on Elderly People’s Health: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in China

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