The science of the total environment

Fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide exposure concentrations in urban street transport microenvironments

CFD Simulation of Near-Field Pollutant Dispersion in the Urban Environment: A Review of Current Modeling Techniques

The global trend towards urbanization explains the growing interest in the study of the modification of the urban climate due to the heat island effect and global warming, and its impact on energy use of buildings. Also urban comfort, health and durability, referring respectively to pedestrian wind/thermal comfort, pollutant dispersion and wind-driven rain are of interest. Urban Physics is a well-established discipline, incorporating relevant branches of physics, environmental chemistry, aerodynamics, meteorology and statistics. Therefore, Urban Physics is well positioned to provide key-contributions to the current urban problems and challenges. The present paper addresses the role of Urban Physics in the study of wind comfort, thermal comfort, energy demand, pollutant dispersion and wind-driven rain. Furthermore, the three major research methods applied in Urban Physics, namely field experiments, wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations are discussed. Case studies illustrate the current challenges and the relevant contributions of Urban Physics.

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Urban Physics: Effect of the micro-climate on comfort, health and energy demand

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Applied climatology: urban climate

Building Regulations in England and Wales require that there is adequate provision for ventilation in new homes and guidance on meeting the requirement is primarily based on the need to control moisture. The guidance was last amended in 1995 and as part of the preparation for a further review BRE undertook a study of ventilation and indoor air quality in homes in England built since 1995. The main part of the project involved a winter and summer period of monitoring of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, particulates, temperature and humidity in 37 homes. Concurrent with pollution measurements were measurements of the rate of air exchange of the indoor air with the outdoors using a perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) technique. The air tightness of the structure was also determined for each home using a pressurisation test. Subsequently more detailed measurements of pollutants and ventilation were undertaken in five homes. The relationships between house characteristics, occupant behaviour, ventilation rate and concentration of pollutants were assessed and the indoor air quality evaluated with respect to available guidelines.

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Ventilation and indoor air quality in new homes

Introduction to the DAPPLE Air Pollution Project.

Modelling Human Exposure to Air Pollution in Urban Populations

To date there have been few published investigations on the levels of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in workplaces in polluted urban areas in the UK. The present investigation was carried out in a non-smoking and naturally-ventilated office building situated along one of the most polluted roads in London in conjunction with the Dispersion of Air Pollutants and their Penetration into the Local Environment (DAPPLE) 2003 field campaign. The results from the measurements taken for indoor VOCs in offices where smoking was prohibited are reported. The concentrations of hexanal, m-, p-xylene, styrene, toluene and total VOCs (TVOCs) are presented and discussed. Other VOCs, in addition to those primarily selected for analysis, were also recorded.

Sani Dimitroulopoulou

Papers

Ventilation and indoor air quality in new homes

Introduction to the DAPPLE Air Pollution Project.

Modelling Human Exposure to Air Pollution in Urban Populations

Levels of Indoor VOCs in Workplaces in a Polluted Urban Area of London