Technology and ispection of air conditioning systems

Summary A technical approach, in terms of air quality, implies the review of all components within the air conditioning system and the check of their characteristics, as far as contamination sources are concerned. The contribution introduces the parameters to be examined and specifies the importance of validation.     

Relationship between energy conservation in buildings and indoor air quality

1. 1. Problems with regard to the relationship between energy conservation and indoor air quality in buildings are discussed with a brief history of legislation and practices in Japan since the oil crisis in 1973.

2. 2. In spite of energy conservation as widely advocated the sick building syndrome has hardly been manifested in most of the office spaces in Japan owing to the Law on the Assurance of Healthy Conditions in Buildings which enforced CO₂ concentration to be kept lower than 1000 ppm.

Application of fuzzy control to air conditioning environment

1. 1. The application method of fuzzy control to air conditioning environment is shown taking home and railcar air conditioners as an example.

2. 2. The control system developed by us includes the capacity control as the basic application example, the control to determine a set temperature, and that to correct automatically the set temperature.

Despersion and survival ofLegionella in air

Summary From the time of the report of the Philadelphia outbreak in 1976, the airborne contamination of patients through cooling towers had been suspected although never truly corroborated. Since then, contamination through different air conditioning systems or cooling towers has often been implicated in both epidemics and endemics as well as in sporadic cases. Whatever the conditions, contaminated water present in the different air conditioning systems remains the main source of infection. From the contaminated sites an aerosol occurs. The infectivity of the aerosol is linked to the size of the droplets (d≥μm). A close surveillance is mandatory and preventive measures have to be tanken.     

Contamination of air systems: 1987–88 assessment and prospects of the Grenoble intervention group

Summary In order to evaluate bacterial and fungal contamination, the authors used a qualitative and quantitative procedure and investigated 47 air conditioning and humidifying units. Air samples were studied using Biotest RCS biocollector (160×6 liters on 6 different selective media), whilst dust samples were analysed after spreading 10 mg onto fungal media. Selective research ofLegionella and fungi were performed using water filtrates and specific media. Even though, the most frequently identified species were quite common environmental fungi, mainlyPenicillium, Alternaria andAspergillus fumigatus (36 out of 47 collections), the health effects of intense exposure to these common moulds are not really known.Staphylococcus aureus was identified 6 times and thermophilic actinomyces species (A. candidus) once. From the quantitative analysis a significant relationship was found between some risk factors and airborne contamination. Indeed bacteria and fungi number depends on the humidifying system (steam or washer), efficiency of secondary filters, relative humidity percentage (< or >60%), installation maintenance, industrial activity and complaints of people at risk. The presence of air recycling and biocide use seems only to have an influence on fungal flora. Having determined a global risk score for each air conditioning unit, the authors underline the fact that bacterial and fungal airborne contamination increases with score. Moreover, for a global, metrological, medical and technical evaluation, a multidisciplinary approach has proved itself to be indispensable.     

Fungal colonization of automobile air conditioning systems

Air samples and swab samples of the air conditioning vents were collected from 29 automobiles in the metropolitan region of Atlanta, GA, and cultured for fungi. Among the fungi observed, species of Acremonium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, and Penicillium were in the highest densities. Transparent adhesive tape imprints, SEM observations, and enrichment culture of components of five systems demonstrated fungal hyphae on the metal surfaces and within the matrix of various insulation materials. The evaporator removed from one automobile because of a series of complaints of noxious odors was densely colonized by Penicillium viridicatum. The amplification of known allergenic and odor-producing fungi occurred within the automobile air conditioning systems. Received 27 May 1997/ Accepted in revised form 16 July 1997     

Failure to produce taste-aversion learning in rats exposed to static electric fields and air ions

Taste-aversion (TA) learning was measured to determine whether exposure to high-voltage direct current (HVdc) static electric fields can produce TA learning in male Long Evans rats. Fifty-six rats were randomly distributed into four groups of 14 rats each. All rats were placed on a 20 min/day drinking schedule for 12 consecutive days prior to receiving five conditioning trials. During the conditioning trials, access to 0.1 % sodium saccharin-flavored water was given for 20 min, followed 30 min later by one of four treatments. Two groups of 14 rats each were individually exposed to static electric fields and air ions, one group to +75 kV/m (+2 × 10⁵ air ions/cm³) and the other group to ?75 kV/m (-2 × 10⁵ air ions/cm³). Two other groups of 14 rats each served as sham-exposed controls, with the following variation in one of the sham-exposed groups: This group was subdivided into two subsets of seven rats each, so that a positive control group could be included to validate the experimental design. The positive control group (n = 7) was injected with cyclophosphamide 25 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min after access to saccharin-flavored water on conditioning days, whereas the other subset of seven rats was similarly injected with an equivalent volume of saline. Access to saccharin-flavored water on conditioning days was followed by the treatments described above and was alternated daily with water “recovery” sessions in which the rats received access to water for 20 min in the home cage without further treatment. Following the last water-recovery session, a 20 min, two-bottle preference test (between water and saccharin-flavored water) was administered to each group. The positive control group did show TA learning, thus validating the experimental protocol. No saccharin-flavored water was consumed in the two-bottle preference test by the cyclophosphamide-injected, sham-exposed group compared to 74% consumed by the saline-injected sham-exposed controls (P <.0001). Saccharin-preference data for the static field-exposed groups showed no TA learning compared to data for sham-exposed controls. In summary, exposure to intense static electric fields and air ions did not produce TA learning as assessed by this particular design. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Hybrid and Aqueous Lithium‐Air Batteries

Lithium‐air (Li‐air) batteries have become attractive because of their extremely high theoretical energy density. However, conventional Li‐air cells operating with non‐aqueous electrolytes suffer from poor cycle life and low practical energy density due to the clogging of the porous air cathode by insoluble discharge products, contamination of the organic electrolyte and lithium metal anode by moist air, and decomposition of the electrolyte during cycling. These difficulties may be overcome by adopting a cell configuration that consists of a lithium‐metal anode protected from air by a Li⁺‐ion solid electrolyte and an air electrode in an aqueous catholyte. In this type of configuration, a Li⁺‐ion conducting “buffer” layer between the lithium‐metal anode and the solid electrolyte is often necessary due to the instability of many solid electrolytes in contact with lithium metal. Based on the type of buffer layer, two different battery configurations are possible: “hybrid” Li‐air batteries and “aqueous” Li‐air batteries. The hybrid and aqueous Li‐air batteries utilize the same battery chemistry and face similar challenges that limit the cell performance. Here, an overview of recent developments in hybrid and aqueous Li‐air batteries is provided and the factors that influence their performance and impede their practical applications, followed by future directions are discussed.     

Aerobiological monitoring for fungal spores in a rehabilitation hospital in Northern Italy

In the setting of an aerobiological study of confined environments and environmental prevention of nosocomial infections, aerobiological monitoring of 22 areas in Montescano Medical Rehabilitation Centre (Pavia) was performed in three different months: February, May, and August, 1994. A Lanzoni 3000 spore trap was used for the monitoring. Examination of the results showed that, in the environments monitored, the indoor presence of fungi increased progressively over the three periods considered. The behaviour of individual genera of fungi differed. In the winter periodPenicillium andAspergillus were the most commonly encountered genera.Cladosporium was the dominant genus from the spring to the summer while the yeasts had their maximum counts in the spring morning. The use of air conditioning, combined with the low air exchange between outdoors and indoors in some of the environments certainly played a part in the low concentrations of these latter aerofungi.     

Aerobiological monitoring for fungal spores in a rehabilitation hospital in Northern Italy

In the setting of an aerobiological study of confined environments and environmental prevention of nosocomial infections, aerobiological monitoring of 22 areas in Montescano Medical Rehabilitation Centre (Pavia) was performed in three different months: February, May, and August, 1994. A Lanzoni 3000 spore trap was used for the monitoring. Examination of the results showed that, in the environments monitored, the indoor presence of fungi increased progresively over the three periods considered. The behaviour of individual genera of fungi differed. In the winter periodPenicillium andAspergillus were the most commonly encountered genera,Cladosporium was the dominant genus from the spring to the summer while the yeasts had their maximum counts in the spring morning. The use of air conditioning, combined with the low air exchange between outdoors and andoors in some of the environments certainly played a part in the low concentrations of these latter aerofungi.     

Mold colonization during use of preservative-treated and untreated air filters, including HEPA filters from hospitals and commercial locations over an 8-year period (1996–2003)

High efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA; 99.97% efficient at 0.3 m) filters, filters with ASHRAE particulate arrestance rating of 90–95% at 1 m (90–95% filters), and lower efficiency cellulosic-polyester filters from air conditioning systems in hospitals and commercial buildings were removed from the systems and examined microscopically for mold colonization. Cellulosic-type filters from systems with water entrainment problems typically were colonized, or became colonized upon incubation in moisture chambers. Species of Acremonium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium were most common. With air filters of all types, treatment of filter media with an antimicrobial preservative tended to reduce or delay colonization. Mold colonization of HEPA and 90–95% filters was observed most often on the load surfaces, but two untreated HEPA filters were permeated with fungi, one with Aspergillus flavus, the other with Cladosporium sp. Air filters in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, particularly those with chronic or periodic exposure to moisture, may serve as point sources for indoor molds.     

基于城市空气调节的区域绿色基础设施识别研究

在中国城市高密度开发的用地模式下,依靠城市内部的有限绿地很难达到空气净化的自平衡。城市周边的绿地、水体等绿色基础设施在提供清洁空气、消解空气污染物、调节城市气候中发挥着重要作用。论文从调节城市空气质量的视角切入,以哈尔滨为研究案例,以ArcGIS为数据分析平台,提出市域尺度下城市绿色基础设施识别的方法：1）空间单元识别：以局地环流理论为依据,根据地表覆盖与植被类型数据,识别出绿色基础设施的3类空间单元;2）城市风场分析：通过对一年四季典型月份的气象统计和基于风环境模拟软件CALMET的风场模拟,得到哈尔滨的典型月份风环境图;3）空间体系表达：根据城市风环境图,分析绿色基础设施在调节城市空气中发挥的作用,得到GI的空气调节空间分布体系。研究成果可以作为编制城市绿地系统规划和制订区域生态绿地保护策略的依据,并在城市风环境分析、城市风道规划等领域得到进一步应用。     

Biological treatment of indoor air for VOC removal: potential and challenges

There is nowadays no single fully satisfactory method for VOC removal from indoor air due to the difficulties linked to the very low concentration (microg m(-3) range), diversity, and variability at which VOCs are typically found in the indoor environment. Although biological methods have shown a certain potential for this purpose, the specific characteristic of indoor air and the indoor air environment brings numerous challenges. In particular, new methods must be developed to inoculate, express, and maintain a suitable and diverse catabolic ability under conditions of trace substrate concentration which might not sustain microbial growth. In addition, the biological treatment of indoor air must be able to purify large amounts of air in confined environments with minimal nuisances and release of microorganisms. This requires technical innovations, the development of specific testing protocols and a deep understanding of microbial activities and the mechanisms of substrate uptake at trace concentrations.     

Responses of the circadian system of rats to conditioned and unconditioned stimuli

The circadian systems of rodents respond to light pulses presented during the subjective night with phase shifts and altered cellular activity in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), including expression of immediate-early genes (IEGs) such as c-fos. A recent study showed that a nonphotic stimulus (an air disturbance generated by a fan) that does not normally induce the expression of c-fos-like immunoreactivity in the SCN of rats can be made to do so after being paired repeatedly with a light pulse in a Pavlovian conditioning paradigm. Furthermore, after conditioning (but not after noncontingent exposure to these stimuli), the fan also induced phase shifts in activity and body temperature rhythms comparable to those produced by light. The authors performed three experiments designed to replicate and extend these findings in rats. In experiment 1, rats were tested for conditioning effects of repeated pairings of a light pulse with a neutral air disturbance under a full photoperiod. In experiment 2, a modified conditioning paradigm was used in which a skeleton photoperiod served as both the entraining zeitgeber and the unconditioned stimulus. Animals in the paired and unpaired training conditions were exposed to both the light pulse and the air disturbance, but the air disturbance signaled the onset of light in the paired condition only. Phase shifts of wheel-running activity rhythms and gene expression in the SCN, intergeniculate leaflet, and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus were assessed in animals following either of the training conditions or the control procedures. Experiment 3 assessed whether the air disturbance could entrain the circadian activity rhythms of rats with or without previous pairing with light in a classical conditioning paradigm. No evidence for classical conditioning, nor for unconditioned effects of the air disturbance on the circadian system, was found in these studies.     

Alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade with phenoxybenzamine does not affect the ability of the nose to condition air.

The primary function of the nose is to warm and humidify air. We have previously shown that raising nasal mucosal temperature by immersing feet in warm water increases the amount of water evaporated by the nose as air passes through it (nasal conditioning capacity; Abbott D, Baroody F, Naureckas E, and Naclerio R. Am J Rhinol 15: 41-45, 2001). To investigate further the effect of nasal mucosal temperature on nasal conditioning capacity, we raised the temperature through alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade by intranasally administering phenoxybenzamine. We hypothesized that blocking alpha-adrenoreceptors during inhalation of cold, dry air would lead to an increase in nasal blood flow, surface temperature, and nasal conditioning capacity, as measured by the water gradient. After appropriate pilot studies, we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study in nine nonatopic, healthy subjects by studying the effect of treatment with intranasal phenoxybenzamine. Nasal mucosal temperature increased significantly after administration of phenoxybenzamine and was associated with a significantly smaller net decrease in nasal mucosal temperature after exposure to cold, dry air (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in nasal conditioning capacity between treatments (P > 0.05). Phenoxybenzamine decreased the symptom of rhinorrhea after exposure to cold, dry air (P < 0.05), but congestion was not different between individuals given phenoxybenzamine and placebo (P > 0.05). Our data demonstrate that phenoxybenzamine, despite raising mucosal temperature and not affecting nasal volume, did not affect the ability of the nose to warm and humidify air.     

Air conditioning in a tropical climate: Impacts upon European residents in Darwin,Australia

The efficacy of current practices in air conditioning is investigated in the two monsoonal seasons in Darwin. Assessment is made of atmospheric parameters, clothing, metabolic rate. Some 1000 questionnaires are applied dealing with adaptations, health perceptions and preferences as related to air cooling and ventilation. The findings are discussed with reference to energy balance calculations and current models of psychological control in thermoregulation. The results indicate that Darwin's population is considerably overcooled, and contrary to assumptions and practice, air conditioning is not desired in office buildings during the Dry. In the home, air conditioning is not regarded as essential. The indications are that a rationalization of air cooling to comply with natural variability in warmth would lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption, and an overall enhancement to the health and comfort of the population through the greater ventilation rates that would be economically feasible were design temperatures lifted.     

Supine position decreases the ability of the nose to warm and humidify air.

We tested the hypothesis that decreasing nasal air volume (i.e., increasing nasal turbinate blood volume) improves nasal air conditioning. We performed a randomized, two-way crossover study on the conditioning capacity of the nose in six healthy subjects in the supine and upright position. Cold, dry air (CDA) was delivered to the nose via a nasal mask, and the temperature and humidity of air were measured before it entered and after it exited the nasal cavity. The total water gradient (TWG) across the nose was calculated and represents the nasal conditioning capacity. Nasal volume decreased significantly from baseline without changing the mucosal temperature when subjects were placed in the supine position (P < 0.01). TWG in supine position was significantly lower than that in upright position (P < 0.001). In the supine position, nasal mucosal temperature after CDA exposure was significantly lower than that in upright position (P < 0.01). Our data show that placing subjects in the supine position decreased the ability of the nose to condition CDA compared with the upright position, in contrast to our hypothesis.     

Evaporative Cooler Use Influences Temporal Indoor Relative Humidity but Not Dust Mite Allergen Levels in Homes in a Semi-Arid Climate

Concerns about energy consumption and climate change make residential evaporative coolers a popular alternative to central air conditioning in arid and semi-arid climates. However, evaporative coolers have been shown to significantly increase indoor relative humidity and dust mite allergen levels in some studies, while showing no association in other studies. Improved measurement of temporal fluctuations in indoor relative humidity may help identify factors that promote mite growth in homes in dry climates. Dust samples and continuous indoor relative humidity measurements were collected from homes with central air conditioning and homes with evaporative coolers in Utah. Samples were collected over two seasons, winter/spring (Jan–Apr) and summer (July–Sept), 2014. Dust samples were analyzed for Der p 1 and Der f 1 using a two-site monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Housing characteristics including age of home, occupant density, and age of mattresses, furniture, and carpeting were also measured. Positive Der p 1 or Der f 1 samples were found in 25.0% of the homes and there was no difference in mean allergen levels by type of air conditioning. Indoor relative humidity was significantly higher in homes with evaporative coolers compared to those with central air conditioning during the summer. Homes with evaporative coolers also spent significantly more time during summer above 55.0% and 65.0% relative humidity compared to central air homes, but not above 75.0%. Findings from this study suggest that increased humidity from evaporative coolers may not be sufficient to exceed the critical equilibrium humidity or maintain humidity excursions for sufficient duration in relatively larger single-family homes in semi-arid climates to support mite growth and reproduction.     

西安地铁中央空调卫生学项目及新风量状况分析

目的:监测西安地铁2号线车站内站厅与站台积尘量、细菌总数、真菌总数、PM10、β-溶血性链球菌、新风量、嗜肺军团菌状况。方法:用普通琼脂培养皿和血培养皿分别采集站厅、站台真菌总数、β-溶血性链球菌;用无纺布采集风管内积尘量;利用智能粉尘检测仪采集PM10;利用热球式风速仪采集风口风速求平均风速计算新风量、利用500 mL无菌瓶采集冷却水和冷凝水检测嗜肺军团菌。结果:除冷却水中检出嗜肺军团菌外,其他各项指标符合国家相关标准,总体上西安地铁站中央空调卫生学项目及新风量状况较好。结论:按照卫生学预评价意见,健全卫生管理制度,完善必要的卫生设施,使运营过程中产生的各种影响乘客健康的因素得到有效控制、减轻或消除,从公共场所卫生学角度评价该项目是可行的。     

Familial aggregation of nasal conditioning capacity.

In our previous studies on nasal conditioning, we observed a large variability among individuals to condition inspired air. Although we previously investigated various physiological parameters (age, sex, nasal mucosal temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and nasal volume) that might underlie these differences, we have been unable to explain this variability. Many proteins and molecules, which are under genetic control and could affect nasal conditioning, are involved in water transport,. In this study, we hypothesized that familial factors may contribute to the differences in nasal conditioning capacity (NCC). We performed a prospective study of 47 sibling pairs. Cold dry air was delivered to the nose, and the total water gradient (TWG) was calculated to determine the NCC. We found a highly significant intraclass correlation of 0.53 (P < 0.0001) between sibling pairs for the TWG. These results suggest that there is a familial basis for nasal conditioning and a large enough genetic component to search for genes explaining the observed correlation.