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Stringari G, Villanueva J, Appolloni E, Orsini F, Villalba G, Gabarrell Durany X. Measuring BVOC emissions released by tomato plants grown in a soilless integrated rooftop greenhouse. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23854. [PMID: 38205327 PMCID: PMC10777013 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Urban design is currently promoting the inclusion of plants in buildings. However, plants emit biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), which alone or in combination with other airborne molecules such as CO2, may result in a general increase in tropospheric pollution. Many studies have documented the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on plant BVOC responses, but few have assessed the contribution of typical CO2 levels found in indoor work and meeting spaces. To answer this question, we monitored CO2 and constitutive (MT-limonene) and induced (LOX-cis-3-hexenal) BVOC emissions of a fully developed tomato crop grown hydroponically inside an integrated rooftop greenhouse (i-RTG) in a Mediterranean climate. Two distinctive CO2 assays were performed at the level of the i-RTG by supplying or not CO2. The impact of CO2 on plant physiological emittance was then assessed, and the resulting BVOC rates were compared with reference to EU-LCI values. MT-limonene was ubiquitous among the assays and the most abundant, while LOX-cis-3-hexenal was detected only under controlled CO2 management. The highest levels detected were below the indicated LCIs and were approximately tenfold lower than the corresponding LCI for MT-limonene (50.88 vs. 5000 μg m-3) and eightfold (6.63 μg m-3) higher than the constitutive emission level for LOX-cis-3-hexenal. Over extended sampling (10 min) findings revealed a general emission decrease and significantly different CO2 concentration between the assays. Despite similar decreasing rates of predicted net photosynthesis (Pn) and stomatal conductance (gs) their correlation with decreasing CO2 under uncontrolled condition indirectly suggested a negative CO2 impact on plant emission activity. Conversely, increasing CO2 under the controlled assay showed a positive correlation with induced emissions but not with constitutive ones. Because of significantly higher levels of relative humidity registered under the uncontrolled condition, this factor was considered to affect more than CO2 the emission response and even its collection. This hypothesis was supported by literature findings and attributed to a common issue related with the sampling in static enclosure. Hence, we suggested a careful monitoring of the sampling conditions or further improvements to avoid bias and underestimation of actual emissions. Based on the main outcomes, we observed no evidence of a hazardous effect of registered CO2 rates on the BVOC emissions of tomato plant. Furthermore, because of the low BVOC levels measured in the i-RTG, we assumed as safe the recirculation of this air along building's indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Stringari
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals ICTA-UAB (CEX2019-0940-M), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Joan Villanueva
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals ICTA-UAB (CEX2019-0940-M), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Elisa Appolloni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Orsini
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gara Villalba
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals ICTA-UAB (CEX2019-0940-M), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Xavier Gabarrell Durany
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals ICTA-UAB (CEX2019-0940-M), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
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Shen X, Sun Q, Mosey G, Ma J, Wang L, Ge M. Benchmark of plant-based VOCs control effect for indoor air quality: Green wall case in smith campus at Harvard University. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:166269. [PMID: 37579805 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from interior materials can significantly impact people's health and daily activities, necessitating effective management. In the construction of the interior built environment, plants serve as a suitable means to enhance air quality. They not only function as ecological living materials for air purification and VOCs removal but are also valued for their aesthetic appeal. However, often the emphasis in designing green infrastructure is placed more on the aesthetics of planting design rather than considering plants' ecological properties. This research examines the ability of 12 plant species used in the interior green wall design at Harvard University's Smith Center as a case study to decompose and absorb VOCs through experimental studies. By integrating ecological properties and key factors such as spatial and budget constraints into the design process, this research explores the potential of using an algorithmic model to select plant species capable of reducing interior VOC pollution in green wall design. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to indoor environmental health and environmental management practices through providing a potential plant selection model and suggesting a relevant workflow for interior planting design with the goal of controlling VOC emissions. By leveraging the knowledge gained from experiments on the VOC removal abilities of selected plant species, this study offers a valuable resource for practitioners seeking to create innovative indoor air cleaning and decontamination technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwei Shen
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154, the, United States.
| | - Qingqing Sun
- Appalachian State University, 287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608, the, United States.
| | - Grant Mosey
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154, the, United States
| | - Junhong Ma
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, China.
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Mengting Ge
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 290 College Ave. Blacksburg, VA 2406, United States.
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Yang Y, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Song F, Ren Y, Zhang X, Zhang J, Liew RK, Foong SY, Chong WWF, Lam SS, Verma M, Ng HS, Sonne C, Ge S. Recent advances in the control of volatile organic compounds emissions from indoor wood-based panels: A comprehensive review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 884:163741. [PMID: 37120025 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Wood-based panels provide efficient alternatives to materials such as plastics derived from traditional petroleum sources and thereby help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, using indoor manufactured panel products also results in significant emissions of volatile organic compounds including olefins, aromatic and ester compounds, which negatively affect human health. This paper highlights recent developments and notable achievements in the field of indoor hazardous air treatment technologies to guide future research toward environmentally friendly and economically feasible directions that may have a significant impact on the improvement of human settlements. Summarizing and synthesizing the principles, advantages, and limitations of different technologies can assist policymakers and engineers in identifying the most appropriate technology for a particular air pollution control program based on criteria such as cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and environmental impact. In addition, insights into the development of indoor air pollution control technologies are provided and potential areas for innovation, improvement of existing technologies, and development of new technologies are identified. Finally, the authors also hope that this sub-paper will raise public awareness of indoor air pollution issues and promote a better understanding of the importance of indoor air pollution control technologies for public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- College of Furniture and Art Design, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Furniture Engineering Technology Research Center, National Forestry & Grassland Administration, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Home Engineering Technology Research Center in Hunan, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Zhongfeng Zhang
- College of Furniture and Art Design, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Furniture Engineering Technology Research Center, National Forestry & Grassland Administration, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Home Engineering Technology Research Center in Hunan, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Furniture and Art Design, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Furniture Engineering Technology Research Center, National Forestry & Grassland Administration, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Home Engineering Technology Research Center in Hunan, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Feifei Song
- College of Furniture and Art Design, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Furniture Engineering Technology Research Center, National Forestry & Grassland Administration, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Home Engineering Technology Research Center in Hunan, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Yi Ren
- College of Furniture and Art Design, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Furniture Engineering Technology Research Center, National Forestry & Grassland Administration, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Home Engineering Technology Research Center in Hunan, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- College of Furniture and Art Design, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Furniture Engineering Technology Research Center, National Forestry & Grassland Administration, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Home Engineering Technology Research Center in Hunan, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Jijuan Zhang
- College of Furniture and Art Design, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Furniture Engineering Technology Research Center, National Forestry & Grassland Administration, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China; Green Home Engineering Technology Research Center in Hunan, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
| | - Rock Keey Liew
- NV WESTERN PLT, No. 208B, Second Floor, Macalister Road, 10400 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia; Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Shin Ying Foong
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - William Woei Fong Chong
- Automotive Development Centre (ADC), Institute for Vehicle Systems and Engineering (IVeSE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Automotive Development Centre (ADC), Institute for Vehicle Systems and Engineering (IVeSE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru 81310, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Meenakshi Verma
- University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Hui Suan Ng
- Centre for Research and Graduate Studies, University of Cyberjaya, Persiaran Bestari, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Shengbo Ge
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China.
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Matheson S, Fleck R, Irga PJ, Torpy FR. Phytoremediation for the indoor environment: a state-of-the-art review. RE/VIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND BIO/TECHNOLOGY 2023; 22:249-280. [PMID: 36873270 PMCID: PMC9968648 DOI: 10.1007/s11157-023-09644-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Poor indoor air quality has become of particular concern within the built environment due to the time people spend indoors, and the associated health burden. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from synthetic materials, nitrogen dioxide and harmful outdoor VOCs such benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene penetrate into the indoor environment through ventilation and are the main contributors to poor indoor air quality with health effects. A considerable body of literature over the last four decades has demonstrate the removal of gaseous contaminants through phytoremediation, a technology that relies on plant material and technologies to remediate contaminated air streams. In this review we present a state-of-the-art on indoor phytoremediation over the last decade. Here we present a review of 38 research articles on both active and passive phytoremediation, and describe the specific chemical removal efficiency of different systems. The literature clearly indicates the efficacy of these systems for the removal of gaseous contaminants in the indoor environment, however it is evident that the application of phytoremediation technologies for research purposes in-situ is currently significantly under studied. In addition, it is common for research studies to assess the removal of single chemical species under controlled conditions, with little relevancy to real-world settings easily concluded. The authors therefore recommend that future phytoremediation research be conducted both in-situ and on chemical sources of a mixed nature, such as those experienced in the urban environment like petroleum vapour, vehicle emissions, and mixed synthetic furnishings off-gassing. The assessment of these systems both in static chambers for their theoretical performance, and in-situ for these mixed chemical sources is essential for the progression of this research field and the widespread adoption of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Matheson
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - R. Fleck
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007 Australia
| | - P. J. Irga
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - F. R. Torpy
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007 Australia
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5
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Wu D, Yu L. Effects of airflow rate and plant species on formaldehyde removal by active green walls. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:88812-88822. [PMID: 35840832 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21995-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde is a hazardous volatile organic compound (VOC) listed as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The active green wall system is a promising technology that utilizes active airflow passing through plants grown along a vertical alignment to increase their mass exposure to pollutants. However, few studies have investigated the effect of airflow rate on their efficacy for formaldehyde removal, and plant-mediated effects are unknown. This study assessed the formaldehyde removal ability of the active green wall using dynamic experiments. Three levels of airflow rate (30, 50, and 65 m3·h-1) and inlet formaldehyde concentration (1.0, 2.0, and 3.5 mg·m-3) were used and three plant species were investigated. The removal of formaldehyde by active green walls was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by the airflow rate, formaldehyde concentration, and plant species. The single pass removal efficiency varying from 38.18 to 94.42% decreased as the airflow rate and formaldehyde concentration increased. The elimination capacity varied from 189 to 1154 mg·m-2·h-1 and increased with the inlet formaldehyde loading rate. Significant differences in formaldehyde removal effectiveness among the plant species were observed with Chlorophytum comosum performing the best, followed by Schefflera octophylla, with Chamaedorea elegans being the worst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Le Yu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
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6
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A Review on Building Design as a Biomedical System for Preventing COVID-19 Pandemic. BUILDINGS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings12050582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable design methods aim to obtain architectural solutions that assure the coexistence and welfare of human beings, inorganic structures, and living things that constitute ecosystems. The novel coronavirus emergence, inadequate vaccines against the present severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-(SARS-CoV-2), and increases in microbial resistance have made it essential to review the preventative approaches used during pre-antibiotic periods. Apart from low carbon emissions and energy, sustainable architecture for facilities, building designs, and digital modeling should incorporate design approaches to confront the impacts of communicable infections. This review aims to determine how architectural design can protect people and employees from harm; it models viewpoints to highlight the architects’ roles in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and designing guidelines as a biomedical system for policymakers. The goals include exploring the hospital architecture evolution and the connection between architectural space and communicable infections and recommending design and digital modeling strategies to improve infection prevention and controls. Based on a wide-ranging literature review, it was found that design methods have often played important roles in the prevention and control of infectious diseases and could be a solution for combating the wide spread of the novel coronavirus or coronavirus variants or delta.
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Evaluating In Silico the Potential Health and Environmental Benefits of Houseplant Volatile Organic Compounds for an Emerging 'Indoor Forest Bathing' Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:ijerph19010273. [PMID: 35010532 PMCID: PMC8751036 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The practice of spending time in green areas to gain the health benefits provided by trees is well known, especially in Asia, as ‘forest bathing’, and the consequent protective and experimentally detectable effects on the human body have been linked to the biogenic volatile organic compounds released by plants. Houseplants are common in houses over the globe and are particularly appreciated for aesthetic reasons as well for their ability to purify air from some environmental volatile pollutants indoors. However, to the best of our knowledge, no attempt has been made to describe the health benefits achievable from houseplants thanks to the biogenic volatile organic compounds released, especially during the day, from some of them. Therefore, we performed the present study, based on both a literature analysis and in silico studies, to investigate whether the volatile compounds and aerosol constituents emitted by some of the most common houseplants (such as peace lily plant, Spathiphyllum wallisii, and iron plant, Aspidistra eliator) could be exploited in ‘indoor forest bathing’ approaches, as proposed here for the first time not only in private houses but also public spaces, such as offices, hospitals, and schools. By using molecular docking (MD) and other in silico methodologies for estimating vapor pressures and chemico-physical/pharmacokinetic properties prediction, we found that β-costol is an organic compound, emitted in appreciable amounts by the houseplant Spathiphyllum wallisii, endowed with potential antiviral properties as emerged by our MD calculations in a SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (main protease) inhibition study, together with sesquirosefuran. Our studies suggest that the anti-COVID-19 potential of these houseplant-emitted compounds is comparable or even higher than known Mpro inhibitors, such as eugenol, and sustain the utility of houseplants as indoor biogenic volatile organic compound emitters for immunity boosting and health protection.
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Suh JM, Cho D, Lee S, Lee TH, Jung JW, Lee J, Cho SH, Eom TH, Hong JW, Shim YS, Jeon S, Jang HW. Rationally Designed TiO 2 Nanostructures of Continuous Pore Network for Fast-Responding and Highly Sensitive Acetone Sensor. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2100941. [PMID: 34928023 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202100941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
For the last several years, indoor air quality monitoring has been a significant issue due to the increasing time portion of indoor human activities. Especially, the early detection of volatile organic compounds potentially harmful to the human body by the prolonged exposure is the primary concern for public human health, and such technology is imperatively desired. In this study, highly porous and periodic 3D TiO2 nanostructures are designed and studied for this concern. Specifically, extremely high gas molecule accessibility throughout the whole nanostructures and precisely controlled internecks of 3D TiO2 nanostructures can achieve an unprecedented gas response of 299 to 50 ppm CH3 COCH3 with an extremely fast response time of less than 1s. The systematic approach to utilize the whole inner and outer surfaces of the gas sensing materials and periodically formed internecks to localize the current paths in this study can provide highly promising perspectives to advance the development of chemoresistive gas sensors using metal oxide nanostructures for the Internet of Everything application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Min Suh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghwi Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST Institute for the Nanocentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangmin Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hyung Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Wook Jung
- Structural Safety & Prognosis Research Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST Institute for the Nanocentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hwan Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hoon Eom
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Wuk Hong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Seok Shim
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Silla University, Busan, 46958, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokwoo Jeon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KAIST Institute for the Nanocentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Won Jang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Research Institute of Advanced Materials, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, 16229, Republic of Korea
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Kim PG, Kwon JH, Hong Y. Development of an expanded polytetrafluorethylene dosimeter for the passive sampling of volatile organic compounds in air. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 797:149026. [PMID: 34303233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A passive sampler composed of a porous, hydrophobic, and gas-permeable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tube was developed to effectively concentrate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. The ePTFE dosimeter has larger sorbent mass normalized sampling rates (L h-1) compared with literature. This result suggests that ePTFE dosimeter can effectively detect low level VOCs in less contaminated air, including indoors. The air boundary layer thickness can be neglected when the mass accumulated in sorbent is converted to gas phase VOCs concentrations. The vapor pressure dependent desorption of VOCs from the sorbent was observed and modeling results suggested that this could lead to the underestimation of VOCs concentrations in air. However, the determination of the appropriate sampling time and the consideration of desorption could overcome the underestimation. A proton transfer reaction quadrupole mass spectrometer and passive samplers were deployed simultaneously in a chamber under fluctuating VOCs concentrations in air. The time-weighted average concentrations of ethylbenzene were 0.016, 0.015, and 0.017 g m-3 for 23, 46, and 69 min experimental period, respectively. The average concentration of the real-time analysis was 0.015 g m-3 for 69 min. The results show the ePTFE dosimeter can be used to estimate time weighted VOCs concentrations in air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pil-Gon Kim
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongseok Hong
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Korea University Sejong Campus, Sejong City 30019, Republic of Korea.
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Kvasnicka J, Cohen Hubal EA, Rodgers TFM, Diamond ML. Textile Washing Conveys SVOCs from Indoors to Outdoors: Application and Evaluation of a Residential Multimedia Model. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12517-12527. [PMID: 34472344 PMCID: PMC9590288 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Indoor environments have elevated concentrations of numerous semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Textiles provide a large surface area for accumulating SVOCs, which can be transported to outdoors through washing. A multimedia model was developed to estimate advective transport rates (fluxes) of 14 SVOCs from indoors to outdoors by textile washing, ventilation, and dust removal/disposal. Most predicted concentrations were within 1 order of magnitude of measurements from a study of 26 Canadian homes. Median fluxes to outdoors [μg·(year·home)-1] spanned approximately 4 orders of magnitude across compounds, according to the variability in estimated aggregate emissions to indoor air. These fluxes ranged from 2 (2,4,4'-tribromodiphenyl ether, BDE-28) to 30 200 (diethyl phthalate, DEP) for textile washing, 12 (BDE-28) to 123 200 (DEP) for ventilation, and 0.1 (BDE-28) to 4200 (bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP) for dust removal. Relative contributions of these pathways to the total flux to outdoors strongly depended on physical-chemical properties. Textile washing contributed 20% tris-(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate (TCPP) to 62% tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBOEP) on average. These results suggest that residential textile washing can be an important transport pathway to outdoors for SVOCs emitted to indoor air, with implications for human and ecological exposure. Interventions should try to balance the complex tradeoff of textile washing by minimizing exposures for both human occupants and aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kvasnicka
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Elaine A. Cohen Hubal
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina, 27711, U.S.A
| | - Timothy F. M. Rodgers
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Miriam L. Diamond
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E5, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E8, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M7, Canada
- Corresponding Author: Miriam L. Diamond, Department of Earth Sciences and School of the Environment, 22 Ursula Franklin Street, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1, 1 (416) 978-1586,
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11
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Current State of Indoor Air Phytoremediation Using Potted Plants and Green Walls. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12040473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Urban civilization has a high impact on the environment and human health. The pollution level of indoor air can be 2–5 times higher than the outdoor air pollution, and sometimes it reaches up to 100 times or more in natural/mechanical ventilated buildings. Even though people spend about 90% of their time indoors, the importance of indoor air quality is less noticed. Indoor air pollution can be treated with techniques such as chemical purification, ventilation, isolation, and removing pollutions by plants (phytoremediation). Among these techniques, phytoremediation is not given proper attention and, therefore, is the focus of our review paper. Phytoremediation is an affordable and more environmentally friendly means to purify polluted indoor air. Furthermore, studies show that indoor plants can be used to regulate building temperature, decrease noise levels, and alleviate social stress. Sources of indoor air pollutants and their impact on human health are briefly discussed in this paper. The available literature on phytoremediation, including experimental works for removing volatile organic compound (VOC) and particulate matter from the indoor air and associated challenges and opportunities, are reviewed. Phytoremediation of indoor air depends on the physical properties of plants such as interfacial areas, the moisture content, and the type (hydrophobicity) as well as pollutant characteristics such as the size of particulate matter (PM). A comprehensive summary of plant species that can remove pollutants such as VOCs and PM is provided. Sources of indoor air pollutants, as well as their impact on human health, are described. Phytoremediation and its mechanism of cleaning indoor air are discussed. The potential role of green walls and potted-plants for improving indoor air quality is examined. A list of plant species suitable for indoor air phytoremediation is proposed. This review will help in making informed decisions about integrating plants into the interior building design.
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Megahed NA, Ghoneim EM. Indoor Air Quality: Rethinking rules of building design strategies in post-pandemic architecture. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 193:110471. [PMID: 33197423 PMCID: PMC7661949 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
To effectively reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, it is crucial to highlight the effectiveness of building design strategies in mitigating threats to occupants. The ongoing pandemic research and actions focus on how poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) amplifies the effects of airborne viruses. This review aims to draw architects' attention toward the high risk of airborne transmission of diseases by providing the latest updates and solutions to understand better the environmental and health issues associated with COVID-19. Based on the complexity of the problem and the need for interdisciplinary research, this study presents a conceptual model that addresses the integration of engineering controls, design strategies and, air disinfection techniques required to achieve a better IAQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa A Megahed
- Professor, Architecture and Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering, Port Said University, Egypt.
| | - Ehab M Ghoneim
- Professor of Ophthalmology, Vice Dean for Community Services & Environmental Development Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Egypt.
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13
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Spence C. Using Ambient Scent to Enhance Well-Being in the Multisensory Built Environment. Front Psychol 2020; 11:598859. [PMID: 33329267 PMCID: PMC7710513 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.598859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of the world's population now lives an urban existence, spending as much as 95% of their lives indoors. The olfactory atmosphere in the built environment has been shown to exert a profound, if often unrecognized, influence over our mood and well-being. While the traditionally malodorous stench to be found indoors (i.e., prior to the invention of modern sanitation) has largely been eliminated in recent centuries, many of the outbreaks of sick-building syndrome that have been reported over the last half century have been linked to the presence of a strange smell in the environment. At the same time, however, there is also growing evidence that consumer behavior can be manipulated by the presence of pleasant ambient odors, while various aromatherapy scents are said to improve our mood and well-being. This Anglophone review focuses primarily on indoor western urban developed spaces. Importantly, the olfactory ambience constitutes but one component of the multisensory atmosphere and ambient odors interact with the visual, auditory, and haptic aspects of the built environment. Surprisingly, the majority of published studies that have deliberately chosen to combine ambient scent with other sensory interventions, such as, for example, music, have failed to increase store sales, or to enhance people's mood and/or well-being, as might have been expected. Such negative findings therefore stress the importance of considering multisensory congruency while, at the same time, also highlighting the potential dangers that may be associated with sensory overload when thinking about the effect of ambient smell on our well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Spence
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Crossmodal Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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14
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Kvasnicka J, Cohen Hubal E, Ladan J, Zhang X, Diamond ML. Transient Multimedia Model for Investigating the Influence of Indoor Human Activities on Exposure to SVOCs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:10772-10782. [PMID: 32786603 PMCID: PMC8637498 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Empirical evidence suggests that human occupants indoors, through their presence and activities, can influence the dynamics of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). To better understand these dynamics, a transient multimedia human exposure model was developed (Activity-Based Indoor Chemical Assessment Model (ABICAM)). This model parametrizes mass-balance equations as functions of time-dependent human activities. As a case study, ABICAM simulated exposures of an archetypal adult and toddler over 24 h to diethyl phthalate (DEP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) that span a wide range of gas-particle partitioning tendencies. Under baseline (no activities beyond respiration), the toddler's time-average internal doses were three to four times higher than the adult's, due to differences in physical human attributes (e.g., inhalation rate). When time-dependent activities were considered, interindividual (e.g., adult vs toddler) variability was accentuated by up to a factor of 3 for BBzP. Activities with the greatest influence on time-average internal dose were showering (-71% for BBzP), cooking (+27% for DEHP), and sleeping (-26% for DEHP). Overall, the results support the hypotheses that (1) transient indoor activities can give rise to intraindividual variability in estimated internal doses of SVOCs, and (2) interindividual variability in such exposure can result from differences in activity patterns and physical human attributes, according to a compound's physical-chemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kvasnicka
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Elaine Cohen Hubal
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States
| | - John Ladan
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Xianming Zhang
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
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