Indoor Air Quality in Green Vs Conventional Multifamily Low-Income Housing

Abstract

Indoor air quality is an important predictor of health, especially in low-income populations. It is unclear how recent trends in "green" building affect the indoor exposure profile. In two successive years, we conducted environmental sampling, home inspections, and health questionnaires with families in green and conventional (control) apartments in two public housing developments. A subset of participants was followed as they moved from conventional to green or conventional to conventional housing. We measured particulate matter less than 2.5 μm aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nicotine, carbon dioxide (CO2), and air exchange rate (AER) over a seven-day sampling period coincident with survey administration. In multivariate models, we observed 57%, 65%, and 93% lower concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and nicotine (respectively) in green vs control homes (p=0.032, p<0.001, p=0.003, respectively), as well as fewer reports of mold, pests, inadequate ventilation, and stuffiness. Differences in formaldehyde and CO2 were not statistically significant. AER was marginally lower in green buildings (p=0.109). Participants in green homes experienced 47% fewer sick building syndrome symptoms (p<0.010). We observed significant decreases in multiple indoor exposures and improved health outcomes among participants who moved into green housing, suggesting multilevel housing interventions have the potential to improve long-term resident health.

Indoor air quality and occupant comfort in homes with deep versus conventional energy efficiency renovations

“…Several environmental health studies on energy efficient retrofits have focused on measures of health [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] or housing conditions other than indoor air quality [20,23].…”

“…The majority report energy efficient homes are associated with health benefits [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], although Sharpe and colleagues report higher physician-diagnosed adult asthma cases among those living in energy efficient dwellings [25]. A recent meta-analysis by Maidment and colleagues found a small, but statistically significant improvement in health associated with energy efficient housing, but also acknowledge the need for additional research in this area [26].…”

“…Frey et al measured IAQ before, during, and after efficiency renovations in senior housing in Arizona; they found significant decreases in formaldehyde, but not particulates or other aldehydes [28]. Colton et al found statistically significant reductions in particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and nicotine in energy efficient apartments compared to controls [19].…”

Study on the Influence of Building Materials on Indoor Pollutants and Pollution Sources

“…As a result, indoor air pollution caused a variety of diseases, and it is collectively referred to as "sick building syndrome" (SBS). From the development trend, indoor air pollution is becoming more and more serious [4]. The study of indoor air quality has become a hot topic in the field of environmental science and engineering.…”

Determining the Ventilation Rate inside an Apartment House on the Basis of Measured Carbon Dioxide Concentrations – Case Study

“…Indoor air quality is an important predictor of health, especially in low-income populations (Colton et al 2014;Du et al 2015). People who pay their energy bills individually based on meter readings tend to spend less energy than people who pay collectively, e.g.…”