Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-91). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-91). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.SC.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 128-139). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Drexel University, 2010. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 212-224).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 233-246). Also available in electronic version.

M.Tech. (Building Science) / A cross sectional survey was conducted in an air-conditioned building and a naturally ventilated building to establish the prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in these Johannesburg buildings. Numerous studies conducted in other countries have found that the prevalence of SBS symptoms are usually higher in sealed airconditioned buildings than naturally ventilated buildings. The study was conducted in two stages namely a questionnaire and indoor environmental survey which was conducted in both buildings. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that: ' All symptom prevalences in both building populations were very closely related, however the SBS symptoms in building B were more common than air-conditioned building. The indoor environmental survey measured the following parameters: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, total nitrogen oxides, total non methane hydrocarbons, respirable dust, asbestos, sound levels. No measurements were above any threshold limit values or relevant scientifically acceptable standards, however in the air-conditioned building levels of some pollutants were higher than the naturally ventilated building. The study found that the prevailences of SBS type symptoms in the naturally ventilated building were higher than those in the air-conditioned building. The type of building population could also affect the outcome as has been found by researchers in the United Kingdom. The predominant population in the naturally ventilated building consisted of government employees which could have affected symptom prevalence.

Over the last several years studies have shown that the quality of indoor air may be worse than outdoor air. People spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, therefor, the associated health risk due to indoor air pollution may be greater than the risk due to outdoor air pollution. Building designs have altered dramatically over the last two decades resulted in "tighter" buildings that rely on sophisticated mechanical systems to provide for the quantity of air required throughout the building. These changes over the years could result in an increased number of complaints received regarding Sick Building Syndrome symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 30% of office buildings world-wide may have significant problems regarding poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This study involves a literature study of the major indoor air pollutants regarding the source of the pollutant, the associated health effects, the measuring techniques available and the results of previous studies conducted on the specific pollutant. Measurements will be taken in two sealed buildings, one an old and the other a new building to identify the major pollutants. A questionnaire was compiled specifically for building occupants and completed by the occupants of both buildings. From the results obtained a step-by-step method for solving indoor air quality (IAQ) problems was proposed. The method was applied and evaluated in a case study of a problem building where indoor air quality related problems were experienced. The results of the study revealed that the major indoor air pollutants are present in old as well as new buildings. The study also revealed that some office workers might be more susceptible than others to the medical reactions cause to human beings by these pollutants. Some concentrations are higher in new buildings than in old buildings. The responses from the questionnaire was evaluated against the results obtained from the measurement study. The step-by-step method in the case study provided a more systematic approach at solving IAQ problems at buildings. Solving indoor air quality problems is a very practical issue and does not necessarily require an investment of expensive high technology equipment, but might merely require a practical approach. Environmental Health Officers can play a major role in providing expert advice when scrutinizing building plans. Environmental Health Officers should empower themselves with the knowledge to do inspections or investigations in office buildings by using the step-by-step method for investigating indoor air quality problems. By addressing indoor air quality problems in buildings, the workers in healthy buildings can increase their productivity with lasting effects on a company’s bottom line.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(エネルギー科学) / 甲第17794号 / エネ博第277号 / 新制||エネ||58(附属図書館) / 30601 / 京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー社会・環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 東野 達, 教授 坂 志朗, 教授 米田 稔 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Energy Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Though the high prevalence of biomass fuel use in the developing world is widely known, the use of burning biomass for cooking and heating in the developed world is under-recognized. Combustion materials including coal and wood are also used for heating in some areas of the United States. We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of conducting indoor environmental monitoring in rural Appalachia. We sought to explore the type of biomass being used for home heating and its impact upon indoor air quality in non-heating and heating seasons. Residential indoor air monitoring for particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) was conducted in Lee County, Virginia. Homes had evidence of poor indoor air quality with high concentrations of indoor PM and a large burden of cigarette smoking. Further characterization of indoor combustion material use in this region to determine the health impacts associated with such exposures is warranted.

Testing was conducted on the pre-prototype unit of an innovative indoor air pollution abatement system which used catalytic ozonation as a mechanism for oxidation and removal of organic contaminants. The system was evaluated for carbonyl production when the system was challenged with chemicals used to simulate polluted indoor air. Carbonyl compounds, which are potentially toxic partial oxidation products, were monitored using EPA Method I P-SA. The objectives of the study were to qualitatively and quantitatively determine if carbonyls were formed in the airstream when the system was operated, and if so, to determine what factors affected the concentrations of these compounds. Trials were conducted using benzene and 2-butanol as challenge chemicals. A variety of test conditions were used to determine factors affecting carbonyl concentrations, including temperature, presence of challenge chemicals, sample location, relative humidity, presence of ozone in the airstream, and two interaction variables. No carbonyls were detected in the airstream within the air cleaning system when benzene was used as the challenge chemical. When 2-butanol was used, four carbonyls were detected at various stages of the system, under varying conditions. The carbonyls detected during these trials were formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and butanone. Statistical analyses of the data indicated that the pre-prototype unit of the air cleaning system caused increased levels of acetaldehyde and butanone, and possibly formaldehyde, in the airstream when challenged with 2-butanol. Acetone concentrations in the system were affected only by humidity conditions. / Master of Science