Results of a forty-home indoor-air-pollutant monitoring study

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5989669

Hawthorne, A R; Gammage, R B; Dudney, C S; Womack, D R; Morris, S A; Westley, R R; White, D A; Gupta, K C

A study was conducted in 40 homes in the areas of Oak Ridge and west Knoxville, Tennessee. Concentrations of CO/sub x/, NO/sub x/, particulates, formaldehyde, and radon, as well as selected volatile organic compounds, were quantified. In addition, information was collected on air exchange rates, meteorological conditions, and structural and consumer products. This paper summarizes some of the results and provides specific examples of increased indoor concentrations of pollutants due to the operation of a kerosene space heater, a gas range, and a wood/coal stove. Results showed formaldehyde levels frequently exceeded 0.1 ppM; were highest in newer homes; and fluctuate diurnally and seasonally. Radon levels frequently exceeded 3 pCi/L and correlated strongly with house location. Organic pollutant levels were at least an order of magnitude higher indoors than outdoors. Combustion sources (especially unvented) significantly increased levels of CO/sub x/, NO/sub x/, and particulates. Air exchange rates were increased nearly two-fold by operation of the HVAC central air circulation fan.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5989669
• Report Number(s): CONF-830617-8; ON: DE83014138
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
ALDEHYDES
APPLIANCES
BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
COAL
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLUIDS
FORMALDEHYDE
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS APPLIANCES
GAS FUELS
GASES
HEATERS
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
KEROSENE
LIQUID FUELS
MATERIALS
MATTER
METEOROLOGY
NATURAL GAS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SPACE HEATERS
TENNESSEE
USA
VENTILATION
VOLATILE MATTER
WOOD
WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES