The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision, accuracy, practicality, and potential uses of a PM2.5 miniaturized monitor (MM) in exposure assessment. These monitors (AirBeam, HabitatMap) were compared with the widely used direct-reading particulate matter monitors and a gravimetric reference method for PM2.5. Instruments were tested during 20 monitoring sessions that were subdivided in two different seasons to evaluate the performance of sensors across various environmental and meteorological conditions. Measurements were performed at an urban background site in Como, Italy. To evaluate the performance of the instruments, different analyses were conducted on 8-h averaged PM2.5 concentrations for comparison between direct-reading monitors and the gravimetric method, and minute-averaged data for comparison between the direct-reading instruments. A linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether the two measurement methods, when compared, could be considered comparable and/or mutually predictive. Further, Bland-Altman plots were used to determine whether the methods were characterized by specific biases. Finally, the correlations between the error associated with the direct-reading instruments and the meteorological parameters acquired at the sampling point were investigated. Principal results show a moderate degree of agreement between MMs and the reference method and a bias that increased with an increase in PM2.5 concentrations.

/pdf/precision-and-accuracy-of-a-direct-reading-miniaturized-5glvn9haf4.pdf

Precision and Accuracy of a Direct-Reading Miniaturized Monitor in PM2.5 Exposure Assessment.

Indoor Environmental Quality is an important issue in educational buildings since it is directly related to students’ well-being and learning activities. Indoor Environmental Quality parameters hav...

Indoor environment quality assessment in classrooms: An integrated approach:

This paper introduces the smart classroom learning model based on the concept of ambient intelligence. By analyzing a smart classroom, the ambient intelligence system detects a student and ...

Ambient intelligence-based smart classroom model

Realization and exploitation of buildings involves in European Union about 40% of total energy consumption [1]. One of the elements of rationalization of energy consumption in buildings are the undertakings related with thermal modernization of buildings. The actions related with reducing the energy intensity of buildings are not always correlated with improvement of microclimate conditions in the rooms. Errors in the implementation of the energy efficiency program led to the phenomenon of sick building syndrome. The paper presents the results of the research conducted in a few educational buildings before and after thermal modernization. The research includes energy consumption for the heating of building and selected parameters of the interior microclimate. This analysis was carried out to evaluate the influence of energy saving activities on microclimate interior conditions. It was found that in many cases commonly used gravitational ventilation is not able to ensure the proper conditions of the interior microclimate, and the concentrations of carbon dioxide recorded in the tested rooms exceeded the applicable standards.

The quality of the microclimate in educational buildings subjected to thermal modernization

The term “indoor environmental quality” (IEQ ) represents a domain that encompasses diverse sub-domains that affect the human life inside a building. These include indoor air quality (IAQ ), lighting, thermal comfort, acoustics, drinking water, ergonomics, electromagnetic radiation, and many related factors [1], as depicted in Figure 1. Enhanced environmental quality can improve the quality of life of the occupants, increase the resale value of the building, and minimize the penalties on building owners. IEQ in offices and other workplaces has a crucial role on the return on investment of businesses. A workplace with high IEQ obviously improves the workers’ health and mood, thereby increasing their productivity. Therefore, the additional cost of maintaining high IEQ levels in workplaces will be paid back in a reasonable period and generates additional monetary returns thereafter. It should be noted that buildings being rated as “sustainable and green” do not truly guaranty their compliance with the desired IEQ level [2–5]. Therefore, IEQ should be given specific focus while designing new buildings as well as in building retrofit plans.

/pdf/introductory-chapter-indoor-environmental-quality-49q0ag43hb.pdf

Veronika Imreczeová

Papers

Investigation of Indoor Environment Quality in Classroom - Case Study