Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
pollutants by filtration or catalytic activity, dilution of pollutant concentrations by
bulk ventilation or alerting occupants in case of alarming concentrations.
2.1 Source Control
The most effective way to reduce exposure is preventing the release of the pol-
lutants in the indoor environment. This approach can be applied effectively for a
wide range of sources. Through the careful selection of components, emissions
from common building materials can be reduced by a factor 10 (Lee et al.
2012c
;
Kurnitski and Seppanen
2008
). Regular duct cleaning prevents resuspension of
accumulated dust by HVAC operation (Zuraimi
2010
; Zuraimi et al.
2012
).
Resuspension can also be avoided by careful surface design (China and James
2012
). The selection of well-designed cooking appliances and their adequate use
can reduce particle and carbon monoxide exposure by more than half (Singh et al.
2012
; L'Orange et al.
2012
). Maintaining elevated water temperatures and
avoiding stagnation throughout the distribution system stops Legionella develop-
ment and kills viable Legionella bacteria present in the system (Geary
2000
;
Turner
2004
). Self-evidently, banning polluting activities such as indoor smoking,
candle burning eliminate the associated primary sources (Gleich et al.
2011
;
Madureira et al.
2012
). The entry of outdoor pollutants and radon can be mitigated
by improved air tightness (Santos et al.
2011
) and pressure management (Chen
et al.
2011
; Hyttinen et al.
2011
).
2.2 Local Exhaust
If a polluting activity is the purpose of the space, effective source control through
banning the activity is not an option. Local concentrated exhaust, however, can in
such a case prevent the spread of the produced pollutants to other parts of the space
or building (Inthavong et al.
2009
; Kim et al.
2012
). In residential settings, the
application of this principle to kitchens and bathrooms is widespread and very
effective (Tung et al.
2009
; Tung et al.
2010
).
2.3 Air Cleaning
In case, the sources are of a more diffuse nature or cannot be localized easily and
in case of outdoor sources, cleaning the air of the pollutants present in it can be
considered. This can achieved by actively filtering the air (Bekö et al.
2008
; Zhang
et al., Zuraimi et al.
2011
; Sidheswaran et al.
2012
), either locally or on building
