DATA ANALYSIS MODELS OF INDOOR POLLUTION

Abstract: Chemical air pollution may be several times higher in our living environment than in the busiest street. Usually just outdoor air quality is repeatedly tracked. The public is being immediately informed in the case of hazard, while pollution monitoring in private properties is exclusively its residents concern. This paper presents data analysis models, designed for problems of indoor pollution reduction with lightened decision making and motivation. The models were developed using applied statistics methods (discriptive statistics, analysis of variance, nonparametric tests, correlation, cluster analysis, and decision trees) as well as multidimensional reporting and visualisation. The developed system is used for the analysis of indoor pollution of East European city (Kaunas, Lithuania). It enables to analyse the relationships and dependencies between various factors (e.g. number of residents, CO 2 , NO 2 , benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde, radon) and use the results for the effective decision making

Field Measurements and Numerical Simulation for the Definition of the Thermal Stratification and Ventilation Performance in a Mechanically Ventilated Sports Hall

Sports halls must meet strict requirements for energy and indoor air quality (IAQ); therefore, there is a great challenge in the design of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of such buildings. IAQ in sports halls may be affected by thermal stratification, pollutants from different sources, the maintenance of building, and the HVAC system of the building, as well as by the activities performed inside the building. The aim of this study is to investigate thermal stratification conditions in accordance with the performance of the HVAC systems in the basketball training hall of Žalgirio Arena, Kaunas in Lithuania. Field measurements including temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentration were implemented between January and February in 2017. The temperature and relative humidity were measured at different heights (0.1, 1.7, 2.5, 3.9, 5.4, and 6.9 m) and at five different locations in the arena. Experimental results show that mixing the ventilation application together with air heating results in higher temperatures in the occupied zone than in the case of air heating without ventilation. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations revealed that using the same heating output as for warm air heating and underfloor heating, combined with mechanical mixing or displacement ventilation, ensures higher temperatures in the occupied zone, creating a potential for energy saving. An increase of air temperature was noticed from 3.9 m upwards. Since CO2 concentration near the ceiling was permissible, the study concluded that it is possible to recycle the air from the mentioned zone and use it again by mixing with the air of lower layers, thus saving energy for air heating

A new industrial technology for mass production of graphene/PEBA membranes for CO2/CH4 selectivity with high dispersion, thermal and mechanical performance

Polyether block amide (PEBA) nanocomposite membranes, including Graphene (GA)/PEBA membranes are considered to be a promising emerging technology for removing CO2 from natural gas and biogas. However, poor dispersion of GA in the produced membranes at industrial scale still forms the main barrier to commercialize. Within this frame, this research aims to develop a new industrial approach to produce GA/PEBA granules that could be used as a feedstock material for mass production of GA/PEBA membranes. The developed approach consists of three sequential phases. The first stage was concentrated on production of GA/PEBA granules using extrusion process (at 170–210 °C, depending on GA concentration) in the presence of Paraffin Liquid (PL) as an adhesive layer (between GA and PEBA) and assisted melting of PEBA. The second phase was devoted to production of GA/PEBA membranes using a solution casting method. The last phase was focused on evaluation of CO2/CH4 selectivity of the fabricated membranes at low and high temperatures (25 and 55 °C) at a constant feeding pressure (2 bar) using a test rig built especially for that purpose. The granules and membranes were prepared with different concentrations of GA in the range 0.05 to 0.5 wt.% and constant amount of PL (2 wt.%). Also, the morphology, physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical behaviors of the synthesized membranes were analyzed with the help of SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA-DTG, and universal testing machine. The results showed that incorporation of GA with PEBA using the developed approach resulted in significant improvements in dispersion, thermal, and mechanical properties (higher elasticity increased by ~10%). Also, ideal CO2/CH4 selectivity was improved by 29% at 25 °C and 32% at 55 °C

Cytoprotective Effects of Mangiferin and <i>Z</i>-Ligustilide in PAH-Exposed Human Airway Epithelium in Vitro

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular disorders, respiratory diseases, including COPD, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections, neuro-degenerative and other diseases. It is also known that various phytochemicals may mitigate such risks. This study tested if phytochemicals mangiferin (MNG) and Z-ligustilide (Z-LG) may protect PAH-exposed human lung bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Organic PAH extract was obtained from the urban fine PM with high benzo(a)pyrene content collected in Eastern European mid-sized city during winter heating season. Cell proliferation traits and levels of intracellular oxidative stress were examined. Effect of MNG (0.5 &#181;g/mL) alone or in combination with PAH on bronchial epithelium wound healing was evaluated. Both phytochemicals were also evaluated for their antioxidant properties in acellular system. Treatment with MNG produced strong cytoprotective effect on PAH-exposed cells (p &lt; 0.01) while Z-LG (0.5 &#181;g/mL) exhibited strong negative effect on cell proliferation in untreated and PAH-exposed cells (p &lt; 0.001). MNG, being many times stronger antioxidant than Z-LG in chemical in vitro assays (p &lt; 0.0001), was also able to decrease PAH-induced oxidative stress in the cell cultures (p &lt; 0.05). Consequently MNG ameliorates oxidative stress, speeds up wound healing process and restores proliferation rate in PAH-exposed bronchial epithelium. Such protective effects of MNG in air pollution affected airway epithelium stimulate further research on this promising phytochemical

Indoor air pollution, physical and comfort parameters related to schoolchildren's health:Data from the European SINPHONIE study

Substantial knowledge is available on the association of the indoor school environment and its effect among schoolchildren. In the same context, the SINPHONIE (School indoor pollution and health: Observatory network in Europe) conducted a study to collect data and determine the distribution of several indoor air pollutants (IAPs), physical and thermal parameters and their association with eye, skin, upper-, lower respiratory and systemic disorder symptoms during the previous three months. Finally, data from 115 schools in 54 European cities from 23 countries was collected and included 5175 schoolchildren using a harmonized and standardized protocol. The association between exposures and the health outcomes were examined using logistic regression models on individual indoor air pollutants (IAPs); a VOC (volatile organic compound) score defined as the sum of the number of pollutants to which the children were highly exposed (concentration &gt; median of the distribution) in classroom was also introduced to evaluate the multiexposure \u2013 outcome association, while adjusting for several confounding factors. Schoolchildren exposed to above or equal median concentration of PM2.5, benzene, limonene, ozone and radon were at significantly higher odds of suffering from upper, lower airways, eye and systemic disorders. Increased odds were also observed for any symptom (sick school syndrome) among schoolchildren exposed to concentrations of limonene and ozone above median values. Furthermore, the risks for upper and lower airways and systemic disorders significantly increased with the VOCs score. Results also showed that increased ventilation rate was significantly associated with decreased odds of suffering from eye, skin disorders whereas similar association was observed between temperature and upper airways symptoms. The present study provides evidence that exposure to IAPs in schools is associated with allergic and respiratory symptoms in children. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings