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Energy Conservation Measures, Indoor Air Quality and Health

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Guest Editor
Exposure, Epidemiology & Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, P.O. Box 15677, Landmark 406 W, 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA 02215, USA
Contact Assistant: Joan Arnold
E-Mail: [email protected]
Interests: indoor air pollution; exposure assessment; environmental epidemiology; housing and health; sustainability
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Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Landmark Center West Room 404K, 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA 02215, USA
Interests: housing; health; disparities; indoor air quality; environmental justice
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Our changing climate is poised to affect the health of human populations through numerous pathways.  One such pathway is via the modification of indoor environments, which are directly linked to extreme weather events and long-term climate conditions (Institute of Medicine. Climate Change, the Indoor Environmental and Health, Wash DC: National Academies Press, 2011). In addition to direct outdoor effects on exposures and health, society’s attempts to adapt and mitigate these effects may also have notable consequences for indoor environments.

For example, a warmer atmosphere with increased outdoor air pollution, forest fires, pollen and dust, heat waves, excessive rainfall, droughts and the longer-term aberrations of regional climates would impact building performance and occupant health.  As we attempt to reduce the footprint of human activity, the modification of our housing and commercial buildings may also negatively affect indoor air quality and occupant health.  These risks are real for both the developed and developing world.

This issue will highlight new research and analyses on how indoor environments and human health are affected by climate change and our responses to this challenge.  Research papers, analytical reviews, case studies, conceptual frameworks, and policy-relevant articles are solicited.  Of particular interest are articles assessing the consequences of energy conservation programs involving low-income populations. We also encourage authors to submit studies which address issues and approaches relevant to developing countries.

Professor John D. Spengler
Dr. Gary Adamkiewicz
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • climate change
  • weatherization
  • infiltration
  • air exchange
  • indoor environment
  • indoor air quality (IAQ)
  • retrofits
  • ventilation rates
  • developing countries
  • environmental justice

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Article
Air Change Rates and Interzonal Flows in Residences, and the Need for Multi-Zone Models for Exposure and Health Analyses
by Liuliu Du, Stuart Batterman, Christopher Godwin, Jo-Yu Chin, Edith Parker, Michael Breen, Wilma Brakefield, Thomas Robins and Toby Lewis
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(12), 4639-4661; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9124639 - 12 Dec 2012
Cited by 53 | Viewed by 8352
Abstract
Air change rates (ACRs) and interzonal flows are key determinants of indoor air quality (IAQ) and building energy use. This paper characterizes ACRs and interzonal flows in 126 houses, and evaluates effects of these parameters on IAQ. ACRs measured using weeklong tracer measurements [...] Read more.
Air change rates (ACRs) and interzonal flows are key determinants of indoor air quality (IAQ) and building energy use. This paper characterizes ACRs and interzonal flows in 126 houses, and evaluates effects of these parameters on IAQ. ACRs measured using weeklong tracer measurements in several seasons averaged 0.73 ± 0.76 h−1 (median = 0.57 h−1, n = 263) in the general living area, and much higher, 1.66 ± 1.50 h−1 (median = 1.23 h−1, n = 253) in bedrooms. Living area ACRs were highest in winter and lowest in spring; bedroom ACRs were highest in summer and lowest in spring. Bedrooms received an average of 55 ± 18% of air from elsewhere in the house; the living area received only 26 ± 20% from the bedroom. Interzonal flows did not depend on season, indoor smoking or the presence of air conditioners. A two-zone IAQ model calibrated for the field study showed large differences in pollutant levels between the living area and bedroom, and the key parameters affecting IAQ were emission rates, emission source locations, air filter use, ACRs, interzonal flows, outdoor concentrations, and PM penetration factors. The single-zone models that are commonly used for residences have substantial limitations and may inadequately represent pollutant concentrations and exposures in bedrooms and potentially other environments other where people spend a substantial fraction of time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conservation Measures, Indoor Air Quality and Health)
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