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Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality
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Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 64621

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Roberto Alonso González Lezcano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Arquitectura y Diseño, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
Interests: efficient ventilation strategies; habits and comfort of the occupants; energy-efficient buildings; building codes and standards; indoor environmental quality; sustainable building materials; passive and active strategies; energy-saving strategies; lighting comfort; acoustic comfort; air quality monitoring; air pollution control; housing and health; HVAC control systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

We currently live in a global context where climate change has paved the way for new initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. In light of this situation, the focus on GHG emissions management, the environmental impact of the built environment, and the optimization of environmental performance have become essential.

Since most of the energy losses are due to air renovations and infiltrations, building ventilation has become a difficult challenge in relation to improving energy management, as it is also closely related to human health and well-being.  For this reason, it is vital that possible implementation techniques take into account the balance between indoor air quality and energy efficiency in the air renovations of buildings. Focusing on this will allow us to have a deeper understanding of the building's ventilation, as well as the quality of the air introduced.

Original works that also deal with methodologies, numerical and experimental research, and case studies with a particular focus on the comfort conditions of the occupants and the influence of occupant habits in sustainable buildings and the effects of climate change on the built environment are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Roberto Alonso González Lezcano
Guest Editor

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Sustainable Building
  • Occupant Comfort
  • Ventilation Systems
  • Sustainable Architecture
  • HVAC Management
  • Occupant Habits
  • Energy Saving
  • Healthy Building
  • Building Energy Performance

Published Papers (17 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2954 KiB  
Article
Indirect Economic Effects of Vertical Indoor Green in the Context of Reduced Sick Leave in Offices
by Jutta Hollands and Azra Korjenic
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2256; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042256 - 19 Feb 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2061
Abstract
Low indoor humidity has been shown to influence the transmission of respiratory diseases via air. A certain proportion of sick leave in offices is therefore attributable to dryness of air. An improvement in these conditions thus means a reduction in sick leave, which [...] Read more.
Low indoor humidity has been shown to influence the transmission of respiratory diseases via air. A certain proportion of sick leave in offices is therefore attributable to dryness of air. An improvement in these conditions thus means a reduction in sick leave, which is accompanied by cost savings for companies. Vertical indoor greening has a verifiable positive effect on air humidity, especially in winter months. In this article, the correlation between improved air humidity in greened rooms and reduction of sick leave due to improved air humidity was described. The resulting indirect economic effect was determined by comparing the costs for construction, green care, and technical maintenance of indoor greenery with savings due to lower sick leave. Based on long-term measurement data on air humidity and temperature, and actual cost values for three buildings, located in Vienna, Austria, with 6 greened and 3 reference rooms without greenery, the correlation of the method was derived and finally formulated in a generalized way using dimensioning factors. Only considering the influence on air humidity, profitability of 6.6 m2 vertical greening installed in an example office with six workplaces equipped with technical ventilation and saving of two sick days already results after about 4.5 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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19 pages, 1731 KiB  
Article
Novel Use of Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Based Combined Heat and Power Systems to Reduce Primary Energy Intake and Greenhouse Emissions in the Building Sector
by Jordi Renau, Víctor García, Luis Domenech, Pedro Verdejo, Antonio Real, Alberto Giménez, Fernando Sánchez, Antonio Lozano and Félix Barreras
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1776; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041776 - 7 Feb 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3649
Abstract
Achieving European climate neutrality by 2050 requires further efforts not only from the industry and society, but also from policymakers. The use of high-efficiency cogeneration facilities will help to reduce both primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions because of the increase in [...] Read more.
Achieving European climate neutrality by 2050 requires further efforts not only from the industry and society, but also from policymakers. The use of high-efficiency cogeneration facilities will help to reduce both primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions because of the increase in overall efficiency. Fuel cell-based cogeneration technologies are relevant solutions to these points for small- and microscale units. In this research, an innovative and new fuel cell-based cogeneration plant is studied, and its performance is compared with other cogeneration technologies to evaluate the potential reduction degree in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Four energy consumption profile datasets have been generated from real consumption data of different dwellings located in the Mediterranean coast of Spain to perform numerical simulations in different energy scenarios according to the fuel used in the cogeneration. Results show that the fuel cell-based cogeneration systems reduce primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions in buildings, to a degree that depends on the heat-to-power ratio of the consumer. Primary energy consumption varies from 40% to 90% of the original primary energy consumption, when hydrogen is produced from natural gas reforming process, and from 5% to 40% of the original primary energy consumption if the cogeneration is fueled with hydrogen obtained from renewable energy sources. Similar reduction degrees are achieved in CO2 emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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12 pages, 415 KiB  
Article
Determining the 2019 Carbon Footprint of a School of Design, Innovation and Technology
by Guillermo Filippone, Rocío Sancho and Sebastián Labella
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041750 - 6 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2637
Abstract
As a contribution to the fight against climate change, ESNE’s 2018/19 carbon footprint has been evaluated using the CarbonFeel methodology, based on ISO 14069 standards. In the scenario studied, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by direct and indirect emissions have been included. For [...] Read more.
As a contribution to the fight against climate change, ESNE’s 2018/19 carbon footprint has been evaluated using the CarbonFeel methodology, based on ISO 14069 standards. In the scenario studied, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by direct and indirect emissions have been included. For comparative purposes, a second scenario has been analyzed in which fossil fuels used for heating are replaced by electrical energy from renewable sources. A decrease of 28% in GHG emissions has been verified, which could even reach 40% if the energy for thermal conditioning was replaced by renewables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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34 pages, 4247 KiB  
Article
Building Energy Model for Mexican Energy Standard Verification Using Physics-Based Open Studio SGSAVE Software Simulation
by Andrés Jonathan Guízar Dena, Miguel Ángel Pascual and Carlos Fernández Bandera
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1521; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031521 - 1 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3212
Abstract
The aim of the project detailed in this article was the development of an energy model for verifying Mexican energy standard compliance using the energy simulation engine EnergyPlus through Open Studio SGSAVE software. We aimed to improve the tool’s ability to increase the [...] Read more.
The aim of the project detailed in this article was the development of an energy model for verifying Mexican energy standard compliance using the energy simulation engine EnergyPlus through Open Studio SGSAVE software. We aimed to improve the tool’s ability to increase the comfort of social housing through the implementation of the standard in a practical digital tool. The project followed a four-stage methodology. The first stage was the development of climatic zoning for the country. The second stage involved the research and classification of the main traditional construction systems. The third stage was extensive research on the actual state of Mexican energy verification and its legal framework. The standard studied was NOM-020-ENER-2011. The final stage was testing the verification method by introducing the energy Mexican rule into the proposed software with the zoning and construction systems catalogue. A base model of a social housing type was developed in the software. Then, this model was improved to respond to each representative climate zone. Both models were simulated and we verified if they met the requirements. The results were contrasted for determining if there were energy savings. As a conclusion, we found that the actual energy standard of Mexico needs to be changed and we suggest the implementation of the energy simulation engine Energy Plus for creating more complete reports. This will help with the practical improvements in social housing conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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16 pages, 3489 KiB  
Article
Challenges of the Facilities Management and Effects on Indoor Air Quality. Case Study “Smelly Buildings” in Belgrade, Serbia
by Milena Vukmirovic, Alenka Temeljotov Salaj and Andrej Sostaric
Sustainability 2021, 13(1), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010240 - 29 Dec 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3463
Abstract
One of the key objectives and challenges nowadays is to live in safe and healthy cities. Accordingly, maintaining good air quality is one of the preconditions for achieving this goal, which is not a simple task given the various negative impacts. This paper [...] Read more.
One of the key objectives and challenges nowadays is to live in safe and healthy cities. Accordingly, maintaining good air quality is one of the preconditions for achieving this goal, which is not a simple task given the various negative impacts. This paper deals with a phase of the construction process that is a cause of extreme indoor air pollution in the newly built facilities of the Dr Ivan Ribar settlement in Belgrade, popularly known as “smelly buildings.” Indoor air pollution is observed from the aspect of indoor air quality (IAQ) prevention and facilities management (FM) in order to define recommendations for future prevention of these and similar situations. The research indicates the existence of specific sources of indoor pollutants, as well as the need to pay special attention to indoor air as an aspect that affects the health, comfort and well-being of individuals who permanently or temporarily use a particular space, and to point out additional costs. The paper will also consider the potential of the FM approach in preventing negative issues related to IAQ, especially in the field of public construction and social and affordable housing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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18 pages, 4911 KiB  
Article
Photovoltaic Power Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks and Numerical Weather Data
by Javier López Gómez, Ana Ogando Martínez, Francisco Troncoso Pastoriza, Lara Febrero Garrido, Enrique Granada Álvarez and José Antonio Orosa García
Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410295 - 9 Dec 2020
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 3599
Abstract
The monitoring of power generation installations is key for modelling and predicting their future behaviour. Many renewable energy generation systems, such as photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, strongly depend on weather conditions. However, in situ measurements of relevant weather variables are not always [...] Read more.
The monitoring of power generation installations is key for modelling and predicting their future behaviour. Many renewable energy generation systems, such as photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, strongly depend on weather conditions. However, in situ measurements of relevant weather variables are not always taken into account when designing monitoring systems, and only power output is available. This paper aims to combine data from a Numerical Weather Prediction model with machine learning tools in order to accurately predict the power generation from a photovoltaic system. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model is used to predict power outputs from a real installation located in Puglia (southern Italy) using temperature and solar irradiation data taken from the Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) sflux model outputs. Power outputs and weather monitoring data from the PV installation are used as a reference dataset. Three training and testing scenarios are designed. In the first one, weather data monitoring is used to both train the ANN model and predict power outputs. In the second one, training is done with monitoring data, but GDAS data is used to predict the results. In the last set, both training and result prediction are done by feeding GDAS weather data into the ANN model. The results show that the tested numerical weather model can be combined with machine learning tools to model the output of PV systems with less than 10% error, even when in situ weather measurements are not available. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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27 pages, 8618 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Thermal Comfort and Energy Consumption of Water Flow Glazing as a Radiant Heating and Cooling System: A Case Study of an Office Space
by Belen Moreno Santamaria, Fernando del Ama Gonzalo, Benito Lauret Aguirregabiria and Juan A. Hernandez Ramos
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7596; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187596 - 15 Sep 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2839
Abstract
Large glass areas, even high-performance glazing with Low-E coating, could lead to discomfort if exposed to solar radiation due to radiant asymmetry. In addition, air-to-air cooling systems affect the thermal environment indoors. Water-Flow Glazing (WFG) is a disruptive technology that enables architects and [...] Read more.
Large glass areas, even high-performance glazing with Low-E coating, could lead to discomfort if exposed to solar radiation due to radiant asymmetry. In addition, air-to-air cooling systems affect the thermal environment indoors. Water-Flow Glazing (WFG) is a disruptive technology that enables architects and engineers to design transparent and translucent facades with new features, such as energy management. Water modifies the thermal behavior of glass envelopes, the spectral distribution of solar radiation, the non-uniform nature of radiation absorption, and the diffusion of heat by conduction across the glass pane. The main goal of this article was to assess energy consumption and comfort conditions in office spaces with a large glass area by using WFG as a radiant heating and cooling system. This article evaluates the design and operation of an energy management system coupled with WFG throughout a year in an actual office space. Temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation sensors were connected to a control unit that actuated the different devices to keep comfortable conditions with minimum energy consumption. The results in summer conditions revealed that if the mean radiant temperature ranged from 19.3 to 23 °C, it helped reduce the operative temperature to comfortable levels when the indoor air temperature was between 25 and 27.5 °C. The Predicted Mean Vote in summer conditions was between 0 and −0.5 in working hours, within the recommended values of ASHRAE-55 standard. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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22 pages, 8721 KiB  
Article
Industrialization and Thermal Performance of a New Unitized Water Flow Glazing Facade
by Belen Moreno Santamaria, Fernando del Ama Gonzalo, Danielle Pinette, Benito Lauret Aguirregabiria and Juan A. Hernandez Ramos
Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7564; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187564 - 14 Sep 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2477
Abstract
New light envelopes for buildings need a holistic vision based on the integration of architectural design, building simulation, energy management, and the curtain wall industry. Water flow glazing (WFG)-unitized facades work as transparent and translucent facades with new features, such as heat absorption [...] Read more.
New light envelopes for buildings need a holistic vision based on the integration of architectural design, building simulation, energy management, and the curtain wall industry. Water flow glazing (WFG)-unitized facades work as transparent and translucent facades with new features, such as heat absorption and renewable energy production. The main objective of this paper was to assess the performance of a new WFG-unitized facade as a high-performance envelope with dynamic thermal properties. Outdoor temperature, variable mass flow rate, and solar radiation were considered as transient boundary conditions at the simulation stage. The thermal performance of different WFGs was carried out using simulation tools and real data. The test facility included temperature sensors and pyranometers to validate simulation results. The dynamic thermal transmittance ranged from 1 W/m2K when the mass flow rate is stopped to 0.06 W/m2K when the mass flow rate is above 2 L/min m2. Selecting the right glazing in each orientation had an impact on energy savings, renewable energy production, and CO2 emissions. Energy savings ranged from 5.43 to 6.46 KWh/m2 day in non-renewable energy consumption, whereas the renewable primary energy production ranged from 3 to 3.42 KWh/m2 day. The CO2 emissions were reduced at a rate of 1 Kg/m2 day. The disadvantages of WFG are the high up-front cost and more demanding assembly process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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27 pages, 8244 KiB  
Article
Impact Assessment for Building Energy Models Using Observed vs. Third-Party Weather Data Sets
by Eva Lucas Segarra, Germán Ramos Ruiz, Vicente Gutiérrez González, Antonis Peppas and Carlos Fernández Bandera
Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6788; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176788 - 21 Aug 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1708
Abstract
The use of building energy models (BEMs) is becoming increasingly widespread for assessing the suitability of energy strategies in building environments. The accuracy of the results depends not only on the fit of the energy model used, but also on the required external [...] Read more.
The use of building energy models (BEMs) is becoming increasingly widespread for assessing the suitability of energy strategies in building environments. The accuracy of the results depends not only on the fit of the energy model used, but also on the required external files, and the weather file is one of the most important. One of the sources for obtaining meteorological data for a certain period of time is through an on-site weather station; however, this is not always available due to the high costs and maintenance. This paper shows a methodology to analyze the impact on the simulation results when using an on-site weather station and the weather data calculated by a third-party provider with the purpose of studying if the data provided by the third-party can be used instead of the measured weather data. The methodology consists of three comparison analyses: weather data, energy demand, and indoor temperature. It is applied to four actual test sites located in three different locations. The energy study is analyzed at six different temporal resolutions in order to quantify how the variation in the energy demand increases as the time resolution decreases. The results showed differences up to 38% between annual and hourly time resolutions. Thanks to a sensitivity analysis, the influence of each weather parameter on the energy demand is studied, and which sensors are worth installing in an on-site weather station are determined. In these test sites, the wind speed and outdoor temperature were the most influential weather parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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21 pages, 6878 KiB  
Article
Overheating in Schools: Factors Determining Children’s Perceptions of Overall Comfort Indoors
by Samuel Domínguez-Amarillo, Jesica Fernández-Agüera, Maella Minaksi González and Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches
Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5772; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145772 - 17 Jul 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4096
Abstract
Climate change is raising the length and intensity of the warm season in the academic year, with a very significant impact on indoor classroom conditions. Increasingly frequent episodes of extreme heat are having an adverse effect on school activities, whose duration may have [...] Read more.
Climate change is raising the length and intensity of the warm season in the academic year, with a very significant impact on indoor classroom conditions. Increasingly frequent episodes of extreme heat are having an adverse effect on school activities, whose duration may have to be shortened or pace slackened. Fitting facilities with air conditioning does not always solve the problem and may even contribute to discomfort or worsen health conditions, often as a result of insufficient ventilation. Users have traditionally adopted measures to adapt to these situations, particularly in warm climates where mechanical refrigeration is absent or unavailable. Implementation of such measures or of natural ventilation is not always possible or their efficacy is limited in school environments, however. Such constraints, especially in a context where reasonable energy use and operating costs are a primary concern, inform the need to identify the factors that contribute to users’ perceptions of comfort. This study deploys a post-occupancy strategy combined with participatory action to empower occupants as agents actively engaging in their own comfort. It addresses user-identified classroom comfort parameters potentially applicable in the design and layout of thermally suitable spaces meriting occupant acceptance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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24 pages, 13945 KiB  
Article
Experimental Validation of Water Flow Glazing: Transient Response in Real Test Rooms
by Belen Moreno Santamaria, Fernando del Ama Gonzalo, Benito Lauret Aguirregabiria and Juan A. Hernandez Ramos
Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5734; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145734 - 16 Jul 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2553
Abstract
The extensive use of glass in modern architecture has increased the heating and cooling loads in buildings. Recent studies have presented water flow glazing (WFG) envelopes as an alternative building energy management system to reduce energy consumption and improve thermal comfort in buildings. [...] Read more.
The extensive use of glass in modern architecture has increased the heating and cooling loads in buildings. Recent studies have presented water flow glazing (WFG) envelopes as an alternative building energy management system to reduce energy consumption and improve thermal comfort in buildings. Currently, commercial software for thermal simulation does not include WFG as a façade material. This article aims to validate a new building simulation tool developed by the authors. Simulation results were compared with real data from a scale prototype composed of two twin cabins with different glazing envelopes: a Reference double glazing with solar-control coating and a triple water flow glazing. The results showed a good agreement between the simulation and the real data from the prototype. The mean percentage error of the indoor temperature cabin was lower than 5.5% and 3.2% in the WFG cabin and in the Reference glazing one, respectively. The indoor air temperature of the WFG cabin was 5 °C lower than the Reference one in a free-floating temperature regime when the outdoor air temperature was 35 °C and the maximum value of solar radiation was above 700 W/m2. WFG has energy-saving potential and is worthy of further research into the standardization of its manufacturing process and its ability to increase building occupants’ comfort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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19 pages, 5928 KiB  
Article
Modeling In-Vehicle VOCs Distribution from Cabin Interior Surfaces under Solar Radiation
by Zheming Tong and Hao Liu
Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5526; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145526 - 8 Jul 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4034
Abstract
In-vehicle air pollution has become a public health priority worldwide, especially for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the vehicle interiors. Although existing literature shows VOCs emission is temperature-dependent, the impact of solar radiation on VOCs distribution in enclosed cabin space is not [...] Read more.
In-vehicle air pollution has become a public health priority worldwide, especially for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the vehicle interiors. Although existing literature shows VOCs emission is temperature-dependent, the impact of solar radiation on VOCs distribution in enclosed cabin space is not well understood. Here we made an early effort to investigate the VOCs levels in vehicle microenvironments using numerical modeling. We evaluated the model performance using a number of turbulence and radiation model combinations to predict heat transfer coupled with natural convection, heat conduction and radiation with a laboratory airship. The Shear–Stress Transport (SST) k-ω model, Surface-to-surface (S2S) model and solar load model were employed to investigate the thermal environment of a closed automobile cabin under solar radiation in the summer. A VOCs emission model was employed to simulate the spatial distribution of VOCs. Our finding shows that solar radiation plays a critical role in determining the temperature distribution in the cabin, which can increase by 30 °C for directly exposed cabin surfaces and 10 °C for shaded ones, respectively. Ignoring the thermal radiation reduced the accuracy of temperature and airflow prediction. Due to the strong temperature dependence, the hotter interiors such as the dashboard and rear board released more VOCs per unit time and area. A VOC plume rose from the interior sources as a result of the thermal buoyancy flow. A total of 19 mg of VOCs was released from the interiors within two simulated hours from 10:00 am to noon. The findings, such as modeled spatial distributions of VOCs, provide a key reference to automakers, who are paying increasing attention to cabin environment and the health of drivers and passengers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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13 pages, 269 KiB  
Article
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from a Personal Care Polymer-Based Item: Simulation of the Inhalation Exposure Scenario Indoors under Actual Conditions of Use
by Jolanda Palmisani, Alessia Di Gilio, Ezia Cisternino, Maria Tutino and Gianluigi de Gennaro
Sustainability 2020, 12(7), 2577; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072577 - 25 Mar 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2652
Abstract
Polymer-based items may release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and odors indoors, contributing to the overall VOC inhalation exposure for end users and building occupants. The main objective of the present study is the evaluation of short-term inhalation exposure to VOCs due to the [...] Read more.
Polymer-based items may release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and odors indoors, contributing to the overall VOC inhalation exposure for end users and building occupants. The main objective of the present study is the evaluation of short-term inhalation exposure to VOCs due to the use of a personal care polymer-based item, namely, one of three electric heating bags, through a strategic methodological approach and the simulation of a ‘near-to-real’ exposure scenario. Seventy two-hour test chamber experiments were first performed to characterize VOC emissions with the items on ‘not-heating mode’ and to derive related emission rates. The polyester bag was revealed to be responsible for the highest emissions both in terms of total VOC and naphthalene emissions (437 and 360 µg/m3, respectively), compared with the other two bags under investigation. Complementary investigations on ‘heating mode’ and the simulation of the exposure scenario inside a 30 m3 reference room allowed us to highlight that the use of the polyester bag in the first life-cycle period could determine a naphthalene concentration (42 µg/m3) higher than the reference Lowest Concentration of Interest (LCI) value (10 µg/m3) reported in European evaluation schemes. The present study proposes a strategic methodological approach highlighting the need for the simulation of a realistic scenario when potential hazards for human health need to be assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
12 pages, 1632 KiB  
Article
Classroom Indoor Environment Assessment through Architectural Analysis for the Design of Efficient Schools
by Vicente López-Chao, Antonio Amado Lorenzo, Jose Luis Saorín, Jorge De La Torre-Cantero and Dámari Melián-Díaz
Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 2020; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12052020 - 6 Mar 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5933
Abstract
Optimization of environmental performance is one of the standards to be achieved towards designing sustainable buildings. Many researchers are focusing on zero emission building; however, it is essential that the indoor environment favors the performance of the building purpose. Empirical research has demonstrated [...] Read more.
Optimization of environmental performance is one of the standards to be achieved towards designing sustainable buildings. Many researchers are focusing on zero emission building; however, it is essential that the indoor environment favors the performance of the building purpose. Empirical research has demonstrated the influence of architectural space variables on student performance, but they have not focused on holistic studies that compare how space influences different academic performance, such as Mathematics and Arts. This manuscript explores, under self-reported data, the relationship between learning space and the mathematics and art performance in 583 primary school students in Galicia (Spain). For this, the Indoor Physical Environment Perception scale has been adapted and validated and conducted in 27 classrooms. The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis have evidenced that the learning space is structured in three categories: Workspace comfort, natural environment and building comfort. Multiple linear regression analyses have supported previous research and bring new findings concerning that the indoor environment variables do not influence in the same way different activities of school architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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28 pages, 4256 KiB  
Article
The Sedentary Process and the Evolution of Energy Consumption in Eight Native American Dwellings: Analyzing Sustainability in Traditional Architecture
by María Jesús Montero Burgos, Hipólito Sanchiz Álvarez de Toledo, Roberto Alonso González Lezcano and Antonio Galán de Mera
Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 1810; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051810 - 28 Feb 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3276
Abstract
According to the research developed by André Leroi-Gourhan in 1964, entitled “Gesture and speech”, the evolution of human beings during Prehistory was linked to the search for work efficiency. As time passed, man designed increasingly complex tools whose production implied a decreasing amount [...] Read more.
According to the research developed by André Leroi-Gourhan in 1964, entitled “Gesture and speech”, the evolution of human beings during Prehistory was linked to the search for work efficiency. As time passed, man designed increasingly complex tools whose production implied a decreasing amount of energy. The aim of the present research was to determine if this evolution, which occurred in parallel to the sedentary process, also affected architecture, specifically if it can be detected on traditional dwellings, particularly in those built by the Native American Indians during the pre-Columbian period. Due to their great diversity, since both nomad and sedentary models can be found among them, and to the available information about their morphology and technical characteristics, these models offer a unique opportunity to study the consequences of this process for architecture. In order to achieve it, an alternative parameter that can be determined for any type of building was designed. It allows us to establish the amount of energy an envelope is equal to. The results obtained suggest that the efficiency of the dwellings decreased as this process went forward, but this pattern changed in its last step, when agriculture appeared and permanent settlements started to be built. Besides, statistical graphs were used in order to show graphically the relationship between it, the climate, the morphology of the dwellings and their technical characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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Review

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20 pages, 1203 KiB  
Review
Requirements for the Construction of New Desalination Plants into a Framework of Sustainability
by Francisco Berenguel-Felices, Antonio Lara-Galera and María Belén Muñoz-Medina
Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 5124; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12125124 - 23 Jun 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5816
Abstract
Population growth has increased in the last two centuries. In the driest countries, water supply alternatives are scarce, and desalination is an alternative to guarantee water supply. The question is what conditions must be met by the new desalination plants to achieve the [...] Read more.
Population growth has increased in the last two centuries. In the driest countries, water supply alternatives are scarce, and desalination is an alternative to guarantee water supply. The question is what conditions must be met by the new desalination plants to achieve the objectives of sustainability. The present study is an analysis of the social, economic, and environmental variables that are critical in the development of desalination plants: technology used, energy sources, correction of the generated environmental impacts, and the most appropriate contractual model for its development. These attributes justify at the time of writing why reverse osmosis is the safest and most efficient technology among those available and those that are under investigation. It is proposed to incorporate renewable energy production sources, although it is still necessary to continue depending on the significant contribution of the traditional energy sources. The need will also be demonstrated to adopt corrective measures to mitigate against the impact produced on the environment by energy production and to implement monitoring plans to confirm the validity of these corrective measures. Finally, turnkey contracts are proposed because osmosis technology is complex, although technology should be justified by means of a decision support system. One of the determining factors is proposed in this present analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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27 pages, 2100 KiB  
Review
Towards a Sustainable Indoor Lighting Design: Effects of Artificial Light on the Emotional State of Adolescents in the Classroom
by David Baeza Moyano, Mónica San Juan Fernández and Roberto Alonso González Lezcano
Sustainability 2020, 12(10), 4263; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104263 - 22 May 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8523
Abstract
In recent years, articles have been published on the non-visual effects of light, specifically the light emitted by the new luminaires with light emitting diodes (LEDs) and by the screens of televisions, computer equipment, and mobile phones. Professionals from the world of optometry [...] Read more.
In recent years, articles have been published on the non-visual effects of light, specifically the light emitted by the new luminaires with light emitting diodes (LEDs) and by the screens of televisions, computer equipment, and mobile phones. Professionals from the world of optometry have raised the possibility that the blue part of the visible light from sources that emit artificial light could have pernicious effects on the retina. The aim of this work is to analyze the articles published on this subject, and to use existing information to elucidate the spectral composition and irradiance of new LED luminaires for use in the home and in public spaces such as educational centers, as well as considering the consequences of the light emitted by laptops for teenagers. The results of this research show that the amount of blue light emitted by electronic equipment is lower than that emitted by modern luminaires and thousands of times less than solar irradiance. On the other hand, the latest research warns that these small amounts of light received at night can have pernicious non-visual effects on adolescents. The creation of new LED luminaires for interior lighting, including in educational centers, where the intensity of blue light can be increased without any specific legislation for its control, makes regulatory developments imperative due to the possible repercussions on adolescents with unknown and unpredictable consequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Building and Indoor Air Quality)
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