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Radon is a radioactive pollutant that could pose hazards to the surrounding environment and people due to its radioactive decay progenies. In this study, numerical simulations of radon dispersion were conducted under natural and mechanical ventilation with an air-purifier for radon. Factors such as the air supply speed, position and air supply angles of the purifier were considered. Results showed that the increase in the air supply speed from the purifier was an effective solution to reduce indoor radon pollution. The effect was better when the purifier was in the middle of the room. The purification effect was similar when the air supply changed under natural ventilation, while purification function was more effective when the air supply angle was 60° under the mechanical ventilation condition. An effective dose estimation involving typical ventilation schemes with radon purifier was evaluated. Using this approach, the radiation effect on occupants was computed. The calculated effective dose was 0.9 mSv y−1 when the air supply speed of the purifier was 0.2 m s−1 under natural ventilation. As a result, the effective dose calculated was under the annual effective dose limit of 3–10 mSv y−1 recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for public exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the perspectives and problems on the energy demand for hot water in indoor environments. The author mentions on the energy consumption of commercial buildings and residential buildings for hot water in developed countries and developing countries. It also considered the system type and efficiency of producing hot water as an important factor in huge energy consumption.

Pneumonia is the most important cause of child death in the world today. Recent findings suggest that exposure to outdoor air pollutants may increase the pneumonia occurrence, but so far the associations have not been clearly illustrated. Therefore, the effects of outdoor air pollutants and the episode day on childhood pneumonia were investigated by this study. A standardized questionnaire on health, home and environmental factors of 4988 children was conducted in the city of Changsha, China. Average exposure to ambient air pollutants during 2008–2011 was monitored by the air pollution monitoring stations of Changsha Environmental Protection Agency. A two-stage hierarchical regression approach was adopted to estimate the effects of PM10, SO2 and NO2 on pneumonia risk. The prevalence of pneumonia in children aged 3–6 years was 38.2%, which is greatly higher than the developed countries but lower than some developing countries. Furthermore, the increased risk of childhood pneumonia was significantly associated with elevated NO2 concentration (odds ratio (OR) = 1.157, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.121–1.195) and the episode day (OR = 1.038, 95% CI: 1.024–1.051), but not significantly associated with PM10 and SO2. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution could play an important role in the development of pneumonia in preschool children. The revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (2012) for NO2 has provided a better control strategy for ambient air quality to reduce the risk of adverse health effects such as pneumonia for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to review the types of building materials that could present a hazardous risk to health of building occupants. The review is necessary as many countries including Korea and the UK have a policy target to make building sustainable and air-tight; therefore a strategy and guide is needed to address the possible hazards that could be found in existing structures of many buildings. For new buildings, the assessment should be at the beginning of building conception, which should be extended to all stages of construction, and the potential hazard should be registered in record to inform the future refurbishment procedures and end-of-life management of the building, for disposal and re-use of materials. The assessment of hazardous materials should be an important aspect of the green building certification such as those being developed in Korea. Various types of hazardous building materials are described. Guidance is provided to encourage precaution and remediation of risks when handling these materials during construction or refurbishment or with materials already in place in existing buildings. The good practice should include a checklist procedure including: survey, assess condition, assess presence, identify and analyse, record, evaluate, and finally develop a plan strategy for prevention and possible remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the application of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) techniques for reduction of indoor air pollutants to assess feasibility for their application in air-tight zero-carbon housing. Due to emissions from building materials, such as coatings and wood-based materials on walls, ceiling and floors, as well as other furnishing materials such as new floor covering, there will always be high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor air of a newly completed building, especially air-tight homes. The concentrations could be reduced by the use of low emission products; however, PCO could further reduce the risk of emissions of these VOCs including formaldehyde. The use of PCO could also reduce risks caused by other indoor pollutions such as NOx, CO, CO2, moisture and microbes. The mechanism and applications of PCO reactors such as titania incorporated onto material surfaces of various built environments (roads, building façade and interior); and in HVAC systems for maintenance of indoor environmental quality, especially indoor air quality (IAQ) are discussed in the review as well as discussion on performance. The effects of temperature and moisture and possible toxic effects of PCO on environment are also included for consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a review of the building environmental schemes for rating of indoor air quality which could have an important impact on health and wellbeing of occupants in sustainable homes and buildings. The majority of the building environmental assessment schemes introduced in different countries of the world are based on the BREEAM and LEED model. BREEAM has a major emphasis on energy efficiency whereas ‘‘Indoor Environmental Quality’’ and ‘‘Health and Wellbeing’’ are the most central issues for LEED. The criteria included in BREEAM, LEED and HK BEAM rating systems for assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) are illustrated. There should be an IAQ management plan for any housing or building development, which should include a certification of the IAQ of the living spaces prior to occupancy and that low emitting materials should be used in the new build. There should also be an ongoing maintenance of the ventilation and HVAC system for the building and this should be part of an IAQ management plan for the building operation and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on Great Britain's strategies regarding the shortage of water. The author states that people depends on the sustainable use of water and effective polluted and waste water management. He mentions several strategies in conserving water which includes implementation of compulsory water-metering, water management in building infrastructure, and proper water harvesting system. He suggests that water labeling will contribute as a strategy in water conservation.

The author reflects on the use of breathable walls for the sustainable innovation for future built environment in Great Britain. It says that the proposed project which was accepted for funding by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), would involve the development of walling products manufactured using bioresin made from waste vegetable oils and natural fibres. It tells that these products should add to a high rating required by the Code for Sustainable Homes.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses the advancement of technological innovations to achieve a sustainable built environment, which leads to the improvement of health and well-being.