Investigation of Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings by Measuring CO2 Concentration and a Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in houses is often deteriorated by chemical substances emitted from heating, building materials, or other household goods. Since it is difficult for occupants to recognize air pollution, they rarely understand the actual conditions of the IAQ. An investigation into the actual condition of IAQ in houses was therefore conducted in this study. Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in 24 occupied houses was measured, and the results from our analysis showed that the use of combustion heaters increased the concentration of CO2 and led to indoor air pollution. Results indicate that as outdoor temperature decreased, the frequency of ventilation decreased simultaneously, and CO2 concentration increased. Results of the questionnaire survey revealed that the actual IAQ in each house did not match the level of awareness its occupants had regarding ventilation. Along with this difficulty in perceiving air pollution, the lack of knowledge about ventilation systems and the effects of combustion heating may be additional barriers to IAQ awareness.

Toward Sustainable Indoor Environments: Assessing the Impact of Thermal Insulation Measures on Air Quality in Buildings—A Case Study in Temuco, Chile

“…In this initial stage of research, four variables will be analyzed (Table 2), classified into two groups: (i) hygrothermal comfort, which encompasses two variables-temperature, within a comfort range of 19 • C to 25 • C, and humidity, considered comfortable when it falls between 30% and 70% [35]. The other group of variables is (ii) indoor air quality, which considers the concentrations of CO 2 , with a recommended limit of 1000 parts per million (ppm) for domestic use settings and for exposures not exceeding 24 h on average [36]. Additionally, fine particulate matter 2.5 is also considered, with the World Health Organization recommending not to exceed 15 µg/m 3 [21].…”

Modifiable Indoor Environmental Factors: Impact on Human Health and Digital Monitoring.

“…Однако не стоит забывать о тех негативных аспектах, которые могут быть связаны с использованием данных приборов. Достоверно известно, что применение обогревателей приводит к снижению относительной влажности воздуха в помещении и повышению концентрации углекислого газа [31]. А поскольку в холодное время года ОВ и без того снижена, это может привести к негативным последствиям для здоровья, о которых будет сказано ниже.…”

“…Исследование Hattori и соавт., заключавшееся в измерении концентрации CO2 в 24-x жилых домах, показали, что увеличение концентрации углекислого газа в помещении в зимний период было связано со снижением частоты проветривания и использованием отопительных систем. Обогреватели увеличивают концентрацию CO2 и приводят к снижению качества воздуха в жилых комнатах [40]. К схожим результатам пришли Abdel-Salam и соавт., измерявшие концентрацию CO2 в 25 жилых домах в зимний и летний сезон.…”

Impact of Indoor Air Pollution in Pakistan—Causes and Management

“…Around three billion of the world's population in developing countries depend on biomass to meet their household energy needs [78][79][80]. Relative to the developed countries, the indoor air pollution levels have been found to be quite high in developing countries [81]. Using biomass fuel, wood, coal, crop residues, animal dung, etc., produced high amounts of COx, CO, and VOC in the indoor air [82].…”