[en] Highlights: • Sources of air pollution (such as mould and window condensation in the household) have been linked to respiratory symptoms. • Mould in the household was associated with poorer respiratory function. • Even non-asthmatic people were affected by mould exposure. • Measurement of indoor air pollution is complex because of the many sources of exposure, and so these results need to be confirmed. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between sources of household air pollution, respiratory symptoms and lung function.

[en] Infiltration of radon from the ground is usually the primary source of indoor radon pollution. A uniform method for radon risk classification of foundation soils based on soil-gas radon concentration measurements and on the determination of soil porosity, permeability and structure was proposed in 1990. Results of assessment of some areas in Czechoslovakia, containing more than 5000 radon concentration measurements, demonstrate the utility of the technique and confirm the link between geology and radon potential of the soil. (author)

[en] Our research investigates the effect of the anti-tobacco legislation on air quality in Romanian foster care units. There were made measurements in 41 foster care homes from three Romanian countries. We recorded data three times measuring the indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 level with a TSI Aerosol Monitor Sidepak AM device. A moderate positive correlation can be observed every year between indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 values. After the new anti-smoking legislation it was observed a significant difference in the outdoor values and less difference in the indoor values. The new anti-tobacco legislation from 2016 has lightly influenced the indoor air pollution level, while the outdoor PM2.5 was increased significantly. The results suggest that the residents and the employees in the foster care homes are smoking more outside the house after the new tobacco law.

[en] Contaminant releases in or near a building can lead to significant human exposures unless prompt response measures are taken. However, selecting the proper response depends in part on knowing the source locations, the amounts released, and the dispersion characteristics of the pollutants. We present an approach that estimates this information in real time. It uses Bayesian statistics to interpret measurements from sensors placed in the building yielding best estimates and uncertainties for the release conditions, including the operating state of the building. Because the method is fast, it continuously updates the estimates as measurements stream in from the sensors. We show preliminary results for characterizing a gas release in a three-floor, multi-room building at the Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah, USA

[en] Singapore is a tropical country that can be affected by outdoor fine particle air pollution. Little information is available on the penetration of outdoor fine particles into daycare environments. Our study attempted to address the following objectives: to measure indoor infiltration factor (F_inf of PM_2.5 from outdoor fine particles and to determine the building parameters that modifies the indoor PM_2.5. We collected indoor/outdoor 1-min PM_2.5. from 50 daycare environments. We noted high indoor and outdoor concentrations of fine particles due to the presence of regional haze pollution. Indoor and outdoor fine particle concentrations are significantly highest for daycares located near highways while indoor to outdoor ratios were significantly lower for air-conditioning use in daycares. Mean F_inf±SD of 0.65±0.19 in daycare rooms which are naturally ventilated and lower F_inf±SD values of 0.46±0.22 for those that are air-conditioned. The penetration coefficients and air exchange rates were higher in naturally ventilated daycares (0.78 vs 0.61 and 1.47 vs 0.86 h⁻¹ respectively). Our findings show that children remaining indoor in daycares where air conditioning is used can reduce PM_2.5 exposures during outdoor pollution episodes. (paper)

[en] The objective of this research is to quantify the effect of varying levels of induced duct leakage on differential pressures and subsequent radon levels in a typical Florida residence. The heating and air conditioning (HAC) system of a residence was modified with the addition of a fresh air ventilation system. This modification provided the ability to simulate either a return leak or a supply leak in the HAC system. The amount of leakage induced can be varied using flow control dampers and an auxiliary fan located in the ventilation system ductwork. The house was pressurized and depressurized by adding 0.06 m³/s of ventilation air into the return side and removing 0.05 m³/s of ventilation air from the supply side of the air handling system, respectively. The subsequent changes in house pressure and ventilation rates reduced the indoor radon concentrations from 1,865 Bq/m³ to 170 Bq/m³ under pressurized conditions and to 305 Bq/m³ under depressurized conditions

[en] Paired indoor and outdoor concentrations of fine and coarse particulate matter (PM), PM2.5 reflectance [black carbon(BC)], and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were determined for sixteen weeks in 2008 at four elementary schools (two in high and two in low traffic density zones) in a U.S.-Mexico border community to aid a binational health effects study. Strong spatial heterogeneity was observed for all outdoor pollutant concentrations. Concentrations of all pollutants, except coarse PM, were higher in high traffic zones than in the respective low traffic zones. Black carbon and NO₂ appear to be better traffic indicators than fine PM. Indoor air pollution was found to be well associated with outdoor air pollution, although differences existed due to uncontrollable factors involving student activities and building/ventilation configurations. Results of this study indicate substantial spatial variability of pollutants in the region, suggesting that children's exposures to these pollutants vary based on the location of their school. - Highlights: → First binational investigation characterizing traffic air pollutants at four schools in El Paso, USA and Cd. Juarez, Mexico. → Paired in-outdoor sampling of PM_2.5, PM_10-2.5, reflectance [black carbon(BC)], and NO₂ for 16 weeks in 2008 at each school. → Two schools (one in each city) were located in high traffic density areas and the other two in areas of low traffic density. → Usage of spatially resolved environmental indictors of traffic pollutants in a range of exposure settings. → Substantial intra-urban spatial variability in pollutant concentrations observed between and within the two cities. - Spatial variability in traffic-mediated pollutant concentrations can exist at the intra-urban level and ambient monitoring sites may not accurately represent these concentration gradients.

[en] The objective of this particular Indoor Health and Productivity (IHP) project is to improve the communication of research findings in the indoor health and productivity area to scientists and building professionals (e.g. architects and engineers) and, thus, to help stimulate implementation of existing knowledge

[en] A natural radiation survey based on the choice of a statistically representative sample of 5000 dwellings began in Italy in 1989. The paper analyses the radon results obtained in 45% of the national sample. The arithmetic mean of the concentration is equal to 80 Bq/m³ and the number of dwellings exceeding 200 and 400 Bq/m³ is around 5% and 1% of the total, respectively. The concentration distribution could be described by a lognormal curve, but with a significant underestimation of the high concentration tail. (author)

[en] Home-based asthma environmental education for parents of asthmatic children is needed since many health professionals lack the time to offer it. However, developing targeted and tailored education is important in order to address the individual needs of participants. This non randomized longitudinal study examined knowledge on asthma with an Asthma and Healthy Homes educational intervention training offered to parents of children from low income families who reside in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Eighty-nine parents received the training and pre- and posttest surveys were used to measure knowledge outcomes. A standardized assessment on asthma triggers was used to identify the different triggers each child was exposed to, and a follow-up survey was conducted 6 months after the educational intervention to identify how many parents reported household and behavior changes as a result of the training. Results showed significant changes in behavior by participants as a result of the training received. This study suggests that these behavioral changes are attributed to the dual “targeted” and “tailored” educational interventions delivered to parents which resulted in a greater understanding of how to manage asthma by eliminating asthma triggers in their respective homes