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From page 127... ... . To understand exposure disparities thus requires consideration of differences in indoor air pollutant variables, which include nearby sources of outdoor pollutants, construction materials and practices, energy efficiency practices, energy use and home heating, occupancy rates, occupant practices and behaviors, indoor environmental maintenance patterns, and climate change. Read the entire page →
From page 128... ... . Low-income, public, and multifamily housing units are more likely to be constructed with low-grade building materials, which may emit higher concentrations of, or result in higher dust-borne concentrations of, VOCs and SVOCs, including phthalates, flame retardants, antimicrobials, petroleum chemicals, chlorinated solvents, and formaldehyde (Bi et al., 2018; Colton et al., 2014; Dodson et al., 2017; Wan et al., 2020) Read the entire page →
From page 129... ... However, insight into the potential but avoidable indoor air quality hazards that can be introduced through poor implementation of energy efficiency upgrades in aging workplaces, homes, and other nonresidential settings has led to improvements in the practice of weatherization and building energy efficiency performance upgrades (Fisk et al., 2020; Shrestha et al., 2019a) Read the entire page →
From page 130... ... . Deferred main tenance and neglect of both residential and nonresidential buildings influence indoor air chemistry through increases in indoor dampness, microbial contamination, contaminants from older and poorly maintained or unvented combustion appliances, higher temperatures and humidity, and lower ventila tion rates. Read the entire page →
From page 131... ... Exposure models serve a wide range of uses, including filling in data gaps, quantifying exposures and the relative importance of various exposure pathways, setting indoor air quality standards NAS-A00426-Indoor_Chemistry.indd 131 01/10/2022 7:25 AM Read the entire page →
From page 132... ... -- fully cognizant of its limitations. In the indoor air chemistry arena, near-field exposure models are most relevant. Read the entire page →
From page 133... ... Exposure models have also been coupled with dosimetry models and toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic models developed to predict internal dose. Although users may decide that a high degree of complexity is not needed for a particular application, generally much could be gained from incorporating increased levels of complexity across multiple dimensions into exposure models for indoor chemistry in order to more fully simu late real-world conditions. Read the entire page →
From page 134... ... In the indoor realm, activity-based models may evaluate exposures based on consumer product use patterns, building occupancy rates, habits and practices, or occupational behaviors. Many near-field exposure models include both process with activity elements. Read the entire page →
From page 135... ... Consequently, it is not a straightforward task to estimate annual exposures and the impact of control measures on annual energy use and cost that are highly relevant to the assessment of existing buildings and design of new buildings. Until modeling of exposures is integrated with such models of building performance in a relatively easy-to-use way, the routine quantitative analysis of indoor air quality will be impeded. Read the entire page →
From page 136... ... , and personal samplers can be used to measure individual exposure. Indoor environmental samplers can operate passively or actively with the aid of a pumping mechanism that purposefully draws air over sampling media. Read the entire page →
From page 137... ... may help us understand individual exposure profiles in a better light as opposed to relying upon measurement of chemicals in bulk samples of indoor air and dust. For example, recent studies found that levels of parabens and organophosphate ester flame retardants measured on silicone wristbands were more strongly correlated with urinary biomarkers than levels measured in house dust (Levasseur et al., 2021; Phillips et al., 2018) Read the entire page →
From page 138... ... Integrating frame works can be the basis for better understanding the relationship of indoor air chemistry to exposure and even to internal dosing. RESEARCH NEEDS On the basis of the information discussed in this chapter, the committee arrived at the following list of specific actions recommended to advance indoor exposure science and research: • Review current science of indoor chemistry to define gaps in current exposure assess ment methods or data collection. Read the entire page →
From page 139... ... Integrating frameworks are being used to provide insight into the relationship of indoor air chemistry to exposure and even to internal dosing, but more work is needed. NAS-A00426-Indoor_Chemistry.indd 139 01/10/2022 7:25 AM Read the entire page →
From page 140... ... 2018. Do carpets impair indoor air quality and cause adverse health outcomes: A review. Read the entire page →
From page 141... ... 2017. Effect of energy renovation on indoor air quality in multifamily residential buildings in Slovakia. Read the entire page →
From page 142... ... 1998. Material emission rates: Literature review, and the impact of indoor air temperature and relative humidity. Read the entire page →
From page 143... ... 2017. Chemical kinetics of multi phase reactions between ozone and human skin lipids: Implications for indoor air quality and health effects. Read the entire page →
From page 144... ... 2012. Indoor air quality analyses of commercial reference buildings. Read the entire page →
From page 145... ... 2019b. Impact of outdoor air pollution on indoor air quality in low-income homes during wildfire seasons. Read the entire page →
From page 146... ... 2020. A systematic review of air quality sensors, guidelines, and measurement studies for indoor air quality management. Read the entire page →
From page 147... ... CHEMICAL COMPLEXITY IN THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT Complex Chemical Mixtures and Processes An emerging theme in indoor chemistry is the high degree of chemical complexity in indoor environments where people spend, on average, more than 80 percent of their time. People are often in close proximity to sources and processes that emit chemicals. Read the entire page →
From page 148... ... Most studies examining human influences on indoor environments have focused on chemical exposures in developed countries and with communities of higher socioeconomic status, or in underdeveloped countries relying on solid or fossil fuels for indoor heating and cooking (termed "household air pollution" by the World Health Organi zation) Read the entire page →
From page 149... ... Recommendation 4: All stakeholders should proactively engage across disciplines to further the development of knowledge on the fundamental aspects of complex indoor chemistry and its impact on indoor environmental quality, exposure assessment, and human health. INDOOR CHEMISTRY IN A CHANGING WORLD There are unprecedented changes occurring to the outdoor environment due to climate change, wildfires, and urbanization, standing in contrast to improvements derived from environmental NAS-A00426-Indoor_Chemistry.indd 149 01/10/2022 7:25 AM Read the entire page →
From page 150... ... changes as the ultrafine and coarse particles are preferentially removed by infiltration and deposition, leaving more of the fine particles that most efficiently penetrate deeply into the lungs. Outdoor particles release some volatile components into the gas phase and take up indoor airborne chemicals such as phthalates, plasticizers, flame retardants, and cooking emissions. Read the entire page →
From page 151... ... This can be accomplished in different ways, including by consulting with indoor air scientists. FUTURE INVESTMENTS IN RESEARCH Looking towards the future of indoor chemistry research, it is important to acknowledge the need for strategic investments and coordination among funding agencies (Box 7-1) Read the entire page →
From page 152... ... Efforts to integrate laboratory experiments, indoor field observations, and modeling need to be a high priority and have strong potential for impact when coupled with exposure and health studies. This "three-legged stool" approach has been successfully applied in environmental science and needs to continue to be implemented for indoor environments. Read the entire page →
From page 153... ... Additionally, integrating on-line methods to quantify indoor versus outdoor sources and how they contribute to indoor air chemistry is important. This can be done by measuring gas-phase and aerosol composition indoors and outdoors at the same time. Read the entire page →

From page 127...

... . To understand exposure disparities thus requires consideration of differences in indoor air pollutant variables, which include nearby sources of outdoor pollutants, construction materials and practices, energy efficiency practices, energy use and home heating, occupancy rates, occupant practices and behaviors, indoor environmental maintenance patterns, and climate change.