TABLE OF CONTENTS Providing a comfortable and healthy indoor air quality for residential and commercial buildings (such as single family homes with central air conditioning systems, multiple dwelling buildings, commercial offices, and schools) is a major concern of HVAC engineers. Exposure to indoor pollutants can be more serious than exposure to outdoor pollutants since indoor concentrations of pollutants are generally higher than corresponding outdoor pollutants. ASHRAE Standards 62 provides many indoor air quality concerns. Table 4-1 provides concentrations of some pollutants found in indoor spaces.
| Pollutant | Sources of Indoor Pollution | Possible Indoor Concentration | I/O Concentration Ratio | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide | Combustion equipment, engines, faulty heating systems | 100 ppm | 1 | Skating rinks, offices, homes, cars, shops |
| Respirable particles | Stoves, fireplaces, cigarettes, condensation of volatilize, aerosol sprays, responsions, cooking | 100 to 500 ?g/m 3 | 1 | Homes, offices, cars, public facilities, bars, restaurants |
| Organic vapors | Combustion, solvents, resin products, pesticides, aerosol sprays | NA | >1 | Homes, restaurants, public facilities, offices, hospitals |
| Nitrogen dioxide | Combustion, gas stoves, water heaters, dryers, cigarettes, engines | 200 to 1000 ?g/m 3 | 1 | Homes, skating rinks |
| Sulfur dioxide | Heating system | 20 ?g/m 3 | <1 | |
| Total suspended particles without smoking | Combustion, responsions, heating system | 100 ?g/m 3 | 1 | Homes, offices, transportation, restaurants |
| Sulfate | Matches, gas stoves | 5 ?g/m 3 | <1 | Homes, offices |
| Formaldehyde | Insulation, product binders, particle board | 0.05 to 1.0 ppm | >1 | Homes, offices |
| Radon... |
