Fundamentos de la calidad del aire interior en

edificios
Como las fuentes de contaminación del aire libre y del interior de edificios, el calor, la humedad,
junto con la ventilación y los sistemas de aire acondicionado afectan la calidad del aire dentro de
edificios.

Que es la calidad del aire interior

Se refiere a la calidad de aire dentro de edificios representado por la concentración de

contaminantes y condiciones térmicas que afectan a la salud, confort y el desarrollo de los
ocupantes.

Express the definition of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in I-BEAM refers to the quality of the air inside buildings as represented by
concentrations of pollutants and thermal (temperature and relative humidity) conditions that
affect the health, comfort and performance of occupants. Other factors affecting occupants, such
as light and noise, are important indoor environmental quality considerations, but are not treated
in I-BEAM as core elements of indoor air quality

Summarize the 3 benefits of good IAQ and the 3 consequences of poor IAQ

3 benefits of good IAQ are:

1. Our heath can be protected

2. Brings us comfort
3. Productivity is improved

3 consequences of poor IAQ are:

1.- Acute Effects: Acute effects are those that occur immediately (e.g., within 24 hours) after
exposure. Chemicals released from building materials may cause headaches, or mold spores may
result in itchy eyes and runny noses in sensitive individuals shortly after exposure. Generally, these
effects are not long lasting and disappear shortly after exposure ends. However, exposure to some
biocontaminants (fungi, bacteria and viruses) resulting from moisture problems, poor
maintenance or inadequate ventilation have been known to cause serious, sometimes life
threatening respiratory diseases which themselves can lead to chronic respiratory conditions.

2.- Chronic Effects: Chronic effects are long-lasting responses to long term or frequently repeated
exposures. Long term exposures to even low concentrations of some chemicals may induce
chronic effects. Cancer is the most commonly associated long term health consequence of
exposure to indoor air contaminants. For example, long term exposure to the following increases
cancer risk:

 environmental tobacco smoke

  radon

 asbestos

 benzene

3.- Discomfort: Discomfort is typically associated with climatic conditions but building
contaminants may also be implicated. People complain of being too hot or too cold or experience
eye, nose or throat irritation because of low humidity. However, reported symptoms can be
difficult to interpret. Complaints that the air is "too dry" may result from irritation from particles
on the mucous membranes rather than low humidity, or "stuffy air" may mean that the
temperature is too warm or there is lack of air movement, or "stale air" may mean that there is a
mild but difficult to identify odor. These conditions may be unpleasant and cause discomfort
among occupants, but there is usually no serious health implication involved. Absenteeism, work
performance and employee morale, however, can be seriously affected when building managers
fail to resolve these complaints.

Illustrate 2-3 properties of the 8 major indoor air contaminants

Radon properties:

1.- Radiactive

2.- Don’t Smell

3.- Don’t taste

Indoor aerosol

1.- Smaller than the diameter of a hair

2.- Is a suspension of particles in air

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

1.- gas

2.- lower volatility

Ozone

1.- Oxidizing agent

2.- Remove other air contaminats

Bioaerosols

1.- volatile compounds

2.- large molecules

3.- bacteria, fungi, viruses

Asbestos

1.- Asbestos fibers cause negative health effects to us

2.- They are not removable

Carbon monoxide

1.- Odorless, colorless gas

2.- Slightly less dense than air

Nitrogen dioxide

1.- Nasty-smelling gas

2.- Reddish-brown gas that decomposes in water to form nitric acid and nitric oxide.