scholarly journals Low Polluting Building Materials and Ventilation for Good Air Quality in Residential Buildings: A Cost–Benefit Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Babich ◽  
Ingrid Demanega ◽  
Francesca Avella ◽  
Annamaria Belleri
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Capital Cost ◽  
Ventilation Rates

Nowadays, people spend an average of 87% of their time inside buildings, and about 69% at home. Hence, it is essential to ensure the highest possible level of indoor air quality (IAQ). Providing that the quality of the outdoor air is acceptable, the IAQ level is improved by increasing the ventilation rates. However, this means that a larger volume of air must be cooled down or warmed up to ensure the same level of thermal comfort. The aim of this study was to conduct a cost–benefit analysis of the IAQ in residential buildings. A case-study building was defined, and three sets of materials with different pollution emission levels were chosen: High, low, and very low. For each option, the ventilation rates required to have the same IAQ level were calculated, and the consequent energy consumption and costs were estimated by means of dynamic thermal simulation. The results show the range of the initial capital cost that could be compensated for by lower running costs, and the effect of each energy and economic input assumption on the appraisal of the affordable capital cost. In the discussion, insights into the IAQ co-benefits are also given.

scholarly journals The Improvement of Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings in Dubai, UAE

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Chuloh Jung ◽  
Jihad Awad
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Radon Gas ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Residential Projects

Due to unprecedented urbanization, UAE had built many new residential projects with poor choices of material and ventilation. This social phenomenon is leading UAE to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) faster than any other countries. The Dubai Municipality regulates the indoor air quality with strict stipulation, but the detailed regulations are still insufficient. The objective of this paper is to measure the indoor air quality of new residential projects in Dubai to suggest the improvement of the regulations for indoor air quality. As a methodology, a field survey was conducted to investigate the status of indoor air pollution in residential buildings. Based on the field survey data, lab experiments for building materials were conducted and a computer simulation on radon gas was conducted. The result had shown that radon gas was mainly detected in new townhouses and labor camp houses, and its concentration was found to exceed the standard. Volatile organic solvents (VOCs) and formaldehyde (CH2O) were mainly detected in showhouses and new townhouses, and the concentration distribution was about 10 times higher than that of outdoors. It was proven that emission concentration of radon gas from various building materials were detected, and the order was red clay, gypsum board, and concrete. Volatile organic solvents (VOCs) are mainly detected in oil paints and PVC floor and the radiation amount of all pollutants increased with temperature increase. In computer simulation, it was found that a new townhouse needs a grace period from 20 days to 6 months to lower the radon gas concentration by 2 pCi/L. This study will serve as a basic data to establish more detailed regulation for the building materials and improve the IAQ standards in Dubai.

scholarly journals Alternatives to groundwater abstraction as a measure to stop land subsidence: a case study of Semarang, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 01003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley Beek ◽  
Bart Letitre ◽  
H. Hadiyanto ◽  
S. Sudarno
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Groundwater Abstraction ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Treatment Services

The Water as Leverage project aims to lay a blueprint for urban coastal areas around the world that are facing a variety of water-related issues. The blueprint is based upon three real case studies in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia. The case of Indonesia focuses on Semarang, a city that faces issues like flooding, increased water demand, and a lack of wastewater treatment. In this report I summarise the different techniques available to tackling these issues. Along with this I provide a cost-benefit analysis to support decision makers. For a short term it is recommended to produce industrial water from (polluted) surface water as a means to offer an alternative to groundwater abstraction. On a long term it is recommended to install additional wastewater and drinking water treatment services to facilitate better hygiene and a higher quality of life.

scholarly journals A STUDY ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY OF URBAN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN CHINA(Environmental Engineering)

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 165-168
Author(s):  
Hiroshi YOSHINO ◽  
Junhong ZHAO ◽  
Yasuko YOSHINO ◽  
Kazukiyo KUMAGAI ◽  
Yueyong NI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Environmental Engineering

scholarly journals Cost–benefit analysis of a staff recreation centre project: build or lease? – A Case Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Monica Singhania
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Employee Morale ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Community Centre

This case study aims at comprehensively assessing a decision by XYZ Ltd (name withheld due to confidentiality), New Delhi, on whether to build or to lease a recreation centre for its rank-and-file employees. Based on a cost–benefit analysis, we concluded that the centre should be built since the company would recover its investment within 11 years. Apart from the financial considerations, the recreation centre could be considered a long-term investment in employee morale, as it would lead to a better quality of life for the staff and their families, and is likely to enhance their sense of belonging and improve productivity. To date, what little space there is available for hosting family functions is reserved for the use of the officers, and only officers and their families are invited to most company functions. Thus, the other employees feel neglected by the management. Hiring a community centre external to the organisation for a function would involve spending a lot of money as the company is located in a prime real estate area where the cost of land and rentals is huge, and sometimes even availability is an issue. Most of the staff cannot afford such places and are generally under a lot of stress whenever they have a family function. This, in turn, tends to affect their productivity. 

scholarly journals Air Quality of a Parking Building in Makassar (A Case Study of Bosowa Tower Parking Building)

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
Nasrul Kulle ◽  
Baharuddin Hamzah ◽  
Rosady Mulyadi
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Spearman Correlation ◽  
Vehicle Traffic ◽  
Rainy Weather ◽  
Spearman Correlation Test ◽  
Difference Test

This study aims to determine the level of air quality in the parking building based on the pollution content in it (CO, CO2, HCHO and, VOC), to analyze the effect of the weather, intensity of motorized vehicle traffic, and surface elevation to the air quality. The dependent variable is the level of air pollution. The research sample is the Makassar Bosowa Tower Parking Building, data collection was carried out by direct measurement and observation in 12 days from November 24th till December 17th. The research was done using the comparative method, The data processed using the Mann-Whitney difference test, and the Spearman correlation test using SPSS application. The results showed that the average CO levels had exceeded the limit of good air quality, the average of CO2 levels was still within the limits for good air quality, and the average of HCHO and VOC levels were mostly within the limits for good indoor air quality, according to The Indonesia Minister of Health Regulation Number 1077 in 2011. The result of measurements and tests shows that the changes in the weather do not have a significant effect on the air quality. The amount and the intensity of motorized vehicle traffic affect the air quality, especially during rainy weather.

scholarly journals Numerical Assessment of Seven Ventilation Systems for Social Residential Buildings based on Indoor Air Quality and Energy Consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 2069 (1) ◽  
pp. 012181
Author(s):  
Guillaume Sérafin ◽  
Marc O. Abadie ◽  
Patrice Joubert
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Living Room ◽  
Internal Sources ◽  
Controlled Mechanical Systems ◽  
Ventilation Systems

Abstract This work presents a modelling approach for evaluating ventilation systems for their ability to provide good indoor air quality in dwellings. Infiltration and ventilation rates are defined by the conventional French 3CL-DPE standard. The case study is a two-bedroom apartment with a shared or separate kitchen and living room. Three natural ventilation options and four mechanical ventilation systems are compared with respect to exposure to PM2.5, NO2 and formaldehyde. Pollutant concentration levels are assessed in each room based on a scenario of daily occupancy, average annual outdoor concentrations and internal sources. The daily exposure of the occupants to the targeted substances allows the comparison of ventilation systems on the basis of the ULR-QAI index developed at LaSIE laboratory from La Rochelle University. For this case study, it results that controlled mechanical systems are much more efficient than natural ventilation systems, especially in the case of an open-plan kitchen.

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