Some Indoor Air Quality Problems and Measures to Control Them in China

Following complaints by people about the bad indoor air quality in some residential houses, office buildings (with air conditioning) and public rooms surveys were carried out in some of these buildings. Ventilation rates and the main parameters related to indoor air quality were tested. These included: inhalable particulates and the gases: CO, CO₂, NO_x, SO₂, HCHO and NH₃. Test results were reported. Based on these results, and related regulations, comprehensive control measures were investigated and suggested. They are: (1) Eliminate and control the emissions of pollutants at their sources, strictly implementing the Code for Indoor Environmental Pollution Control of Civil Building Engineering (GB50235-2001) during the construction period to provide a good base for eliminating the main pollution emissions at their sources; (2) Install local exhaust ventilation facilities to deal with the concentrated sources; (3) Ensure proper design and construction of the air conditioning and ventilation systems and keep them in normal operation by good maintenance to provide adequate good quality air (together with enough fresh air) at the places where it is needed; (4) Use an air exchanger or an air cleaner at special locations to improve indoor air quality; (5) Public education: make people aware of the health consequences of poor indoor air quality and the control measures needed to guarantee good indoor air quality.