Indoor Air Quality In Nonindustrial Occupational Environments

Morey, Philip R.; Horner, E. S.; Epstien, Barbara L.; Worthan, Anthony G.; Black, Marilyn S.

doi:10.1002/0471435139.hyg065

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 130 publications

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“…Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been designated as a significant health concern in both the USA and Europe (Morey et al 2001;Bernstein et al 2008a). Although not generally recognised, indoor air pollution is almost always higher than outdoors.…”

Section: Growing Concerns About Indoor Air Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elmrini et al 2001;Vergara-Fernández et al 2007;De Visscher and Li 2008;Mudliar et al 2010;Lebrero et al 2012). Systems are now becoming highly developed (e.g.…”

Section: Phytoremediation and Horticultural Biotechnologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8.3 Simplified representation of a bioscrubber system (Mudliar et al 2010) indoor air (Guieyesse et al 2008). Due to both the variety of molecular structures of VOCs, and the general tendency of microorganisms to degrade xenobiotic materials by consortial activity (e.g.…”

Section: Microbial Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Reducing Indoor Air Pollutants Through Biotechnology

Torpy

Irga

Burchett

2014

Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering

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Indoor environmental quality is a growing concern, as populations become more urbanised and people spend a greater proportion of their lives indoors. Volatile organic compounds outgassing from synthetic materials and carbon dioxide from human respiration have been major indoor air quality concerns. The growing use of energy-efficient recirculating ventilation solutions has led to greater accumulation of these pollutants indoors. A range of physiochemical methods have been developed to remove contaminants from indoor air, but all methods have high maintenance costs and none reduce CO 2 , which some biological systems can achieve effectively with the additional benefit of the selfsustaining capacity of biological material. Bacteria are the major organisms involved in bioremediation of VOCs, although green plants may help sustain the bacterial community and add the capacity for CO 2 reduction to a system. The main problems faced by indoor air bioremediation systems is the extremely low concentrations of VOCs present indoors and the possibility of microbial release. Simple, passive biofiltration with potted green plants may be the simplest and most effective system for indoor air cleaning, but further research into substrate types, ventilation, and the microbiology of biodegradation processes is required to reveal their ultimate potential. Purely microbial systems have potential for the bioamelioration of high concentrations of toxic gases, but not without significant maintenance costs. Despite many years of study and substantial market demand, a proven formula for indoor air bioremediation for all applications is yet to be developed.

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Section: Growing Concerns About Indoor Air Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elmrini et al 2001;Vergara-Fernández et al 2007;De Visscher and Li 2008;Mudliar et al 2010;Lebrero et al 2012). Systems are now becoming highly developed (e.g.…”

Section: Phytoremediation and Horticultural Biotechnologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reducing Indoor Air Pollutants Through Biotechnology

Torpy

Irga

Burchett

2014

Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering

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“…CO 2 levels exceeding 1000 ppm above the ambient level (about 380 ppm) indicate low ventilation and/or crowding (ventilation rate <7 l/s/occupant) (Morey et al., 2011), which can increase concentrations from building emission sources and indicate excess humidity, a concern for biological contaminants. A total of 38 homes (30%) experienced at least 1 week during the study in which the median weekly CO 2 level exceeded 1380 ppm.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Particulate matter concentrations in residences: an intervention study evaluating stand-alone filters and air conditioners

Batterman

Mentz

et al. 2012

Indoor Air

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This study, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated the effectiveness of free-standing air filters and window air conditioners (ACs) in 126 low-income households of children with asthma. Households were randomized into a control group, a group receiving a free-standing HEPA filter placed in the child's sleeping area, and a group receiving the filter and a window-mounted AC. Indoor air quality (IAQ) was monitored for week-long periods over three to four seasons. High concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide were frequently seen. When IAQ was monitored, filters reduced PM levels in the child's bedroom by an average of 50%. Filter use varied greatly among households and declined over time, for example, during weeks when pollutants were monitored, filter use was initially high, averaging 84 ± 27%, but dropped to 63 ± 33% in subsequent seasons. In months when households were not visited, use averaged only 34 ± 30%. Filter effectiveness did not vary in homes with central or room ACs. The study shows that measurements over multiple seasons are needed to characterize air quality and filter performance. The effectiveness of interventions using free-standing air filters depends on occupant behavior, and strategies to ensure filter use should be an integral part of interventions.

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“…Some studies [45][46][47] reported that the main factor in fungal growth is the moisture available in the substrate, which is measured as relative humidity on the surface where fungal growth occurs, usually expressed as water activity (a w ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trichocomaceae: biodiversity of Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp residing in libraries

Júnior

Yamamoto

Amadio

et al. 2012

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: Atmospheric air is the most common vehicle for the dispersion of fungi. Fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are cosmopolitan and are classified in the family Trichocomaceae. Species of the genera are commonly found in soil, decaying organic materials, animal feed, stored grains, and other materials. This study aimed to determine the taxonomic diversity of airborne fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium residing in the dust of library environments to contribute to current knowledge of these characteristic genera. Methodology: Three libraries in the city of Cuiaba, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, were selected as the study areas. A total of 168 samples were collected at randomized sites within each library in areas containing journals, archives, in study rooms, and in collection storage areas in two different periods, the dry season (n = 42) and the rainy season (n = 42). Samples were collected by exposing Petri dishes containing Sabouraud agar with chloramphenicol to the environmental air. Additional samples were collected with sterile swabs which were rubbed over the surface of randomly chosen books on the shelves; the swabs were subsequently incubated in the laboratory. Results and conclusion: The genus Aspergillus was highlighted as one of the principal airborne fungi present in indoor environments. Aspergillus spp was identified in 1,277 (89.6%) samples and Penicillium spp in 148 (10.4%). The dry period exhibited a greater number of isolates of the two taxons.

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Indoor Air Quality In Nonindustrial Occupational Environments

Cited by 4 publications

References 130 publications

Reducing Indoor Air Pollutants Through Biotechnology

Reducing Indoor Air Pollutants Through Biotechnology

Particulate matter concentrations in residences: an intervention study evaluating stand-alone filters and air conditioners

Trichocomaceae: biodiversity of Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp residing in libraries

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