United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/S9-87/020 Dec. 1987
<>EPA Project Summary
A Summary of Indoor
Air Quality Research
Through 1984
J. E. Sickles, R. L. Chessin, E. R. Kashdan, Y. Chrume, and M. B. Ranade
This report reviews indoor air quality
research from 1980 through December
1984. It is also a compilation of two
documents that review relevant liter-
ature on the subject and summarize the
efforts of leading research scientists.
The first effort involved: (1) a review
of journal articles, symposium presen-
tations, and bibliographic reports from
1980 through 1983; (2) a list of
contacts with approximately 30 prom-
inent researchers in the indoor air
quality field; and (3) a list of significant
articles that appeared prior to 1980.
The second effort updated the initial
literature review to January 1985.
Again articles, symposium proceed-
ings, and reports were screened in
developing the update report.
The vast majority of the material
found in the two reports, "Review of
Recent Research in Indoor Air Quality"
(EPA/600/2-84/099) and "Update
of Indoor Air Quality Bibliogrpahy"
(draft), has been retained in this doc-
ument. This report integrates the
material from the two reports, follow-
ing the organization of the earlier.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Air and Energy Engi-
neering Research Laboratory, Research
Triangle Park, NC, to announce key
findings of the research project that is
fully documented in a separate report
of the same title (see Project Report
ordering information at back).
Introduction
Indoor air quality is recognized as a
significant factor affecting the well-being
of the average American. In recent years,
energy conservation practices such as
weatherizing buildings and the greater
use of unvented combustion (heating)
devices have apparently increased indoor
concentrations of hazardous air pollu-
tants. Thus, the identifcation and evalua-
tion of sources of indoor air pollution and
their control have increasingly received
attention from numerous Federal and
State agencies concerned with health
and environmental protection.
The objective of this report is to
summarize indoor air quality research for
the period 1980-1984. This was done by
contacting prominent researchers.in the
field, summarizing their efforts and
capabilities, and by reviewing published
articles and reports. The report is
intended to assist the indoor air quality
research community in assessing the
content and quality of its recent research
efforts, to highlight milestone indoor air
quality studies or symposia, and to
identify research facilities available to
the user community. This information
should serve to enhance coordination of
government and private research efforts.
Two separate efforts were made to
review relevant literature and publica-
tions. From October 1 983 through Feb-
ruary 1984, an annotated bibliography
was developed, prominent researchers in
the field were interviewed, and earlier
citations (important to the indoor air
quality field) were listed. Then, in early
1985, the bibliographic review period
was extended from October 1983 to
January 1985. Both reviews are in
Section 4 of the full report and are
consistent in organization, using a
common outline.
Results and Conclusions
The attempt to define the state-of-the-
art in indoor air pollution research used
two approaches: a review of recent
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literature, and telephone contacts to
prominent investigators. The literature
review covers several sources including
searches of computer files, the citation
lists in the MAS Indoor Pollutants doc-
ument, in Indoor Air Pollution by Wadden
and Scheff, and in review articles such
as "Indoor Air Pollution: A Public Health
Perspective" by Spengler and Sexton
(1983), and in the 1984 Stockholm
International Symposium on Indoor Air
Pollution. Manual searches of several
journals that frequently publish indoor
air quality research provided articles
current through December 1983. Pri-
mary emphasis was placed on peer-
reviewed journal articles rather than
government reports of symposium pre-
sentations. Roughly 30 prominent inves-
tigating laboratories were contacted to
assess the extent of on-going research
in indoor air quality. Specific inquiries as
to the nature of the work, the measure-
ments performed, funding levels, spon-
sor, and special facilities provided an up-
to-date inventory.
The review of literature covering the
period 1980-1983 and the telephone
survey of prominent investigators indi-
cated that the greatest share of indoor
air quality research was directed toward
the characterization and measurement of
a limited number of indoor pollutants.
Within this area many studies sought to
establish an average concentration level
of a pollutant or the relationship of indoor
concentrations to outdoor pollutant
levels.
A small, but significant, body of
research provided preliminary informa-
tion on source types and emissions.
Emphasis was directed toward the
characterization of sources of formalde-
hyde and home combustion sources.
Control and mitigation of indoor air
quality problems generally emphasized
the use of ventilation techniques.
Mathematical modeling of indoor air
concentrations has been attempted: the
results indicate some success based on
comparisons with pollutant monitoring
results.
As with the initial bibliography, articles
from October 1983 through December
1984 dealing with the characterization
and measurement of indoor air pollutants
dominate the literature. Radon and radon
daughters have continued to be an
important indoor air quality problem
receiving attention. Combustion sources
and gaseous pollutants are well repre-
sented in the bibliography. In the area
of "Control Methods," vc.ii,idiio{i studies
dominate, although air purification
studies are also included. A growing body
of information is found on th
relationship between indoor air pollu
tants and health. Smoking is by far th
single biggest concern, and the whol
field of indoor exposure is receivin
increased attention.
The modeling of indoor air quality i
becoming more sophisticated as scien
tists and engineers give it increase
attention. Recent articles have provide
more complex and comprehensive mod
els for assessing indoor air quality.
Several other trends may be seen fror
this bibliographic update. Some attentio
has been given to developing emissio
rate data. Increasingly, studies ar
looking at the total exposure of indivic
uals to both indoor and outdoor polk
tants. Regulatory agjsnqJBfc have onl
begun to address tiwTSoblems an
potential impacts of indoor pollutants.
J. Sickles, R. Chessin. E. Kashdan, Y. Chrume, andM. Ranadeare with Research
Triangle Institute. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Bruce A. Tichenor is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "A Summary of Indoor Air Quality Research
Through 1984," (Order No. PB 87-234332/AS; Cost: $24.95, subject to
change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650 t-
The EPA Officer can be contacted at: v
Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
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