What's New List Serve Post Display

Researchers have completed a multi-season study of ventilation
and indoor air quality in 108 new homes in California.  ARB and
the California Energy Commission sponsored the study, which was
conducted by a team led by Indoor Environmental Engineering. The
team found that new, single-family detached homes in California
were built relatively airtight, and had very low outdoor air
exchange rates. In addition, indoor concentrations of
formaldehyde often exceeded health-based exposure guidelines for
air contaminants indoors, due to the many indoor sources of
formaldehyde. Indoor concentrations of a few other chemicals such
as benzene, naphthalene, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene also exceeded
exposure guidelines in some cases.  

ARB has adopted limits on formaldehyde emissions from composite
wood products, which will help reduce indoor formaldehyde levels
in new homes. Reduction of formaldehyde emissions from other
indoor sources also is needed. In part due to the results of this
study, the Commission approved a regulation requiring mechanical
ventilation systems in all new homes starting in 2010; such
systems provide a continuous supply of outdoor air, thus
improving the outdoor air exchange rate and reducing indoor
contaminant levels.

To access the full report, please visit:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/past/indoor.htm.  

Inquiries concerning the report may be directed to Tom Phillips
at tphillip@arb.ca.gov or 916-322-7145.

If you have problems accessing the webpages or the report,
please contact Susan Lum at slum@arb.ca.gov or by phone at
916-323-5043. 

 


You are receiving this single arbcombo email because you are a
subscriber to or have made a public comment to one or more of the
following lists: ab1173, aircleaners, indoor, research.