Ventilation Systems and Their Impact on Nanoparticle Concentrations in Office Buildings

Applied Sciences

Henrik Olstrup¹  Hans Orru¹  Annika Hagenbjörk² 

[1] Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia;Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;

关键词: air quality;    indoor air;    nanoparticles;    health;    ventilation;    filter efficiency;   

DOI  :  10.3390/app11198930

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Nanoparticles (NPs) can infiltrate indoor environments and have a large impact on human health when inhaled. Thus, indoor air quality is highly dependent on the outdoor air and on the filters used in the ventilation systems. In the NanoOffice study, the concentrations and the size distribution of NPs were measured with a five-minute time resolution in twelve office buildings in Umeå. Measurements were taken with an SMPS 3938 during a one-week period in the heating and nonheating seasons. Large differences in ventilation between buildings appeared, despite the fact that similar MVHR ventilation systems were used, and most of them were equipped with F7 filters. The NP concentrations and the simultaneous ventilation flows were measured in buildings with a variable and a more constant ventilation flow. In some cases, an increase in NP concentration could be seen after ventilation turn-on or after an increase in the ventilation flow. There was also one case where the NP concentrations increased in connection with the ventilation being switched off or reducing its flow. However, variable NP concentrations were also shown in buildings with a fairly constant ventilation flow, which was prominent for the two buildings located closest to busy streets. The correlation coefficients between the ventilation flow and particles in different size classes were in general smallest for particles in the smallest size classes, indicating higher filtration efficiency.

【 授权许可】

Unknown