2925 -- Interrelations among Different Ventilation Parameters and Indoor Pollutants ✓ Most Recent

Measures of a number of ventilation parameters and of a number of pollutants from 21 locations furnished data for evaluating interrelations among commonly used descriptors of ventilation as well as their relation to frequently measured indoor gaseous and particulate pollutants (including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulates, and hydrocarbons). The analysis o£ the data is presented in three sections:

1. The intercomparison between different ventilation measures.
2. The relationship between ventilation and pollutant concentrations across buildings.
3. The relation of pollutants to ventilation measures in specific buildings.

The data show that:

1. Ventilation parameters based on estimated building use do not necessarily describe ventilation factors based on actual building use, so that ventilation requirements related to occupancy considerations alone may not adequately control indoor air quality.
2. Carbon dioxide concentrations respond quite differently to changes in ventilation than hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulates, which appear to depend mainly on outside levels.
3. Pollutant. concentrations appear to approach asymptotic values with increasing ventilation. These asymptotes seem to be determined by the building and its environment and may be only marginally affected by increased ventilation.

Units: SI