Browsing by Author "Rajapaksa, SW"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

item: Conference-Abstract
The Effect of ventilation on sick building syndrome
(2016-08-10) Kumara, S; Rajapaksa, SW; Perera, SAS; Jayasinghe, C
It is well known that adverse health conditions could develop due to outdoor air pollutants, such as, C02, CO, S02, NO,, PM (particulate matter), VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), when people are outdoors, while travelling or working. Since most of the people spend 80-90% of their time indoors, at home or place of work, the presence of these air pollutants could adversely their health while indoors, as well. Hence, minimizing the presence of air pollutants, by taking appropriate measures, such as, ventilation and air conditioning are important to ensure that a healthy atmosphere prevails indoors. In a work place, where a large number of people work within a confined space, C02 produced due to human respiration gets accumulated in the air, unless there is good ventilation. Long exposure to higher C02 concentrations can cause human discomfort and ill health. The C02 concentration, if measured, can be a direct indication of the efficiency of the ventilation system of the building. This paper presents a detailed study on how building planning aspects can affect the indoor environment of a building. The main factor considered was the CO 2 concentration in relation to the ventilation design of the building. In the study, C02 concentration was measured and related to the ventilation design of the space in both free running and air conditioned buildings. The main findings of the study are as follows. a) Planning aspects of building were found to be very important in minimizing the bad effects of air pollutants. b) Provision of openings, based on external wind directions and orientation of the building were important, to dilute and remove high internal air pollutant concentrations by natural air currents. c) Provision of opehings in excess of what is provided in the building regulations was found to improve the ventilation system in a free running building. d) The efficient operation of the natural ventilation system was as important as the ventilation design.
item: Conference-Full-text
The Effect of ventilation on sick building syndrome
(2013-12-06) Kumara, S; Rajapaksa, SW; Perera, SAS; Jayasinghe, C
It is well known that adverse health conditions could develop due to outdoor air pollutants, such as, CO2, CO, SO2, NO2, PM (particulate matter), VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), when people are outdoors, while travelling or working. Since most of the people spend 80-90% of their time indoors, at home or place of work, the presence of these air pollutants could adversely their health while indoors, as well. Hence, minimizing the presence of air pollutants, by taking appropriate measures, such as, ventilation and air conditioning are important to ensure that a healthy atmosphere prevails indoors. In a work place, where a large number of people work within a confined space, CO2 produced due to human respiration gets accumulated in the air, unless there is good ventilation. Long exposure to higher CO2 concentrations can cause human discomfort and ill health. The CO2 concentration, if measured, can be a direct indication of the efficiency of the ventilation system of the building. This paper presents a detailed study on how building planning aspects can affect the indoor environment of a building. The main factor considered was the CO 2 concentration in relation to the ventilation design of the building. In the study, CO2 concentration was measured and related to the ventilation design of the space in both free running and air conditioned buildings. The main findings of the study are as follows. a) Planning aspects of building were found to be very important in minimizing the bad effects of air pollutants. b) Provision of openings, based on external wind directions and orientation of the building were important, to dilute and remove high internal air pollutant concentrations by natural air currents. c) Provision of openings in excess of what is provided in the building regulations was found to improve the ventilation system in a free running building. d) The efficient operation of the natural ventilation system was as important as the ventilation design.
item: Conference-Full-text
Indoor air quality and human activities in buildings
(2013-11-09) Perera, TM; Jayasinghe, C; Perera, SAS; Rajapaksa, SW
People spend most of their time indoors either at home or at work. If the indoor environment is polluted, the occupants may experience number of possible health conditions such as sneezing, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, irritability, and respiratory diseases as asthma. Also, long term exposure into the pollutants can cause more serious health effects. Therefore it is very important to maintain a high degree of hygienic level in all our buildings by achieving a proper design and maintaining an adequate ventilation system in the indoor environment. There are different types of ventilation that can be used in the indoor environment such as free running systems by opening windows and doors, fans and air conditioners. But due to the poor operational practices in the modern buildings such as restricting free ventilation by closing doors and windows in most of the time and no proper maintenance in the air conditioning system may pollute the indoor environment. Therefore numerous forms of indoor air pollution are possible in the modern buildings. In this paper, recent research is revised on effect of air freshener and tobacco smoke on indoor environment with modern operational practices.
item: Conference-Abstract
Measurement and analysis of concentrations of volatile organic compounds in a newly painted room
(2016-08-10) Jayasinghe, C; Perera, SAS; Rajapaksa, SW; Perera, TM
Since, people spend most of their times indoors, either at home or at work, it is essential to maintain a high level of health and safety inside all types of buildings. If the health conditions of occupants are adversely affected due to the indoor environment, it is called the sick building syndrome (SBS). The main causes of SBS are, bad planning of a building, which leads to, poor ventilation, higher temperature, higher humidity, poor building operational practices and emissions from building materials. Air pollutants due to building materials can include paints and coatings which may emit harmful chemicals. Further the emissions from building maintenance chemicals, such as, detergents, disinfectants, antiseptics and air fresheners can pollute the indoor environment. The main objective of the research covered in this paper is to measure concentrations of gaseous emissions from water based and solvent based paints, during the painting process and immediately after painting and to compare results with air quality standards. The Indoor Air Quality Monitor (IQM60/Environmental Monitor V5.0) was used to measure concentrations of gaseous emissions. The results indicated that the concentration of TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) has increased during the painting process and the time taken for the emissions to get dispersed and the air quality of the room to get back to the permissible level has been found to be more than two hours.
item: Conference-Full-text
Measurement and analysis of concentrations of volatile organic compounds in a newly painted room
(2013-11-13) Jayasinghe, C; Perera, SAS; Rajapaksa, SW; Perera, TM
Since, people spend most of their times indoors, either at home or at work, it is essential to maintain a high level of health and safety inside all types of buildings. If the health conditions of occupants are adversely affected due to the indoor environment, it is called the sick building syndrome (SBS). The main causes of SBS are, bad planning of a building, which leads to, poor ventilation, higher temperature, higher humidity, poor building operational practices and emissions from building materials. Air pollutants due to building materials can include paints and coatings which may emit harmful chemicals. Further the emissions from building maintenance chemicals, such as, detergents, disinfectants, antiseptics and air fresheners can pollute the indoor environment. The main objective of the research covered in this paper is to measure concentrations of gaseous emissions from water based and solvent based paints, during the painting process and immediately after painting and to compare results with air quality standards. The Indoor Air Quality Monitor (IQM60/Environmental Monitor V5.0) was used to measure concentrations of gaseous emissions. The results indicated that the concentration of TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) has increased during the painting process and the time taken for the emissions to get dispersed and the air quality of the room to get back to the permissible level has been found to be more than two hours.