Formulation and Validation of an Empirical Moisture Damage Index

An empirical moisture damage index was developed in order to reduce the subjectivity of the estimation of moisture damage in domestic residences, in relation to occupant health. The database was generated using information gathered from a sample of 164 houses that were examined by civil engineers, and questionnaire data collected from the occupants. The index was formulated to associate with the occupant reported respiratory symptoms by calculating weighted estimates of selected moisture damage attributes using 80% of the sample. The remaining 20% of the sample was used to verify the final index. The index associated strongly with the health symptoms of interest. This index is a tool that may be used as an indicator of moisture damage induced exposure in domestic residences.     

Formation and growth of indoor air aerosol particles as a result of d-limonene oxidation

Oxidation of d-limonene, which is a common monoterpene, can lead to new aerosol particle formation in indoor environments. Thus, products containing d-limonene, such as citrus fruits, air refresheners, household cleaning agents, and waxes, can act as indoor air aerosol particle sources. We released d-limonene into the room air by peeling oranges and measured the concentration of aerosol particles of three different size ranges. In addition, we measured the concentration of d-limonene, the oxidant, and the concentration of ozone, the oxidizing gas. Based on the measurements we calculated the growth rate of the small aerosol particles, which were 3–10 nm in diameter, to be about , and the losses of the aerosol particles that were due to the coagulation and condensation processes. From these, we further approximated the concentration of the condensable vapour and its source rate and then calculated the formation rate of the small aerosol particles. For the final result, we calculated the nucleation rate and the maximum number of molecules in a critical cluster. The nucleation rate was in the order of and the number of molecules in a critical-sized cluster became 1.2. The results were in agreement with the activation theory.     

Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by combined chemical pre-oxidation and bioremediation in creosote contaminated soil

The ability of pre-oxidation to overcome polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) recalcitrance to biodegradation was investigated in creosote contaminated soil. Sand and peat artificially spiked with creosote (quality WEI C) were used as model systems. Ozonation and Fenton-like treatment were proved to be feasible technologies for PAH degradation in soil. The efficiency of ozonation was strongly dependent on the water content of treated soil samples. The removal of PAH by Fenton-like treatment depended on the applied H2O2/soil weight ratio and ferrous ions addition. It was determined that the application of chemical oxidation in sand resulted in a higher PAH removal and required lower oxidant (ozone, hydrogen peroxide) doses. The enhancement of PAH biodegradability by different pre-treatment technologies also depended on the soil matrix. It was ascertained that combined chemical and biological treatment was more efficient in PAH elimination in creosote contaminated soil than either one alone. Thus, the combination of Fenton-like and the subsequent biological treatment resulted in the highest removal of PAH in creosote contaminated sand, and biodegradation with pre-ozonation was found to be the most effective technology for PAH elimination in peat.     

Photodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in soil with vegetable oil

GOAL, SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of olive oil on the photodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in contaminated sawmill soil. Previous studies had shown that the solubility of PCDD/Fs in olive oil is high and a rapid photodegradation of PCDD/Fs takes place in olive oil when irradiated with ultraviolet (blacklight) lamps. The efficiency of this treatment method was evaluated under more practical conditions. These included the use of sunlight irradiation and a lower-grade olive oil, without a preliminary extraction of soil with olive oil. METHODS: A 1-cm layer of contaminated sawmill soil was blended with 20 weight-% of olive oil and exposed to sunlight for four weeks. In another experiment, a new dose of olive oil was added at the middle of the exposure period. The PCDD/F concentrations of the soils were monitored periodically. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A reduction in the concentration of 2,3,7,8-chlorinated PCDD/Fs by 59% and in WHO-TEQ in contaminated sawmill soil by 48% was attained after blending the soil with two doses (20 + 20%) of olive oil and exposing the mixture to sunlight for four weeks. Photodegradation with only one dose of olive oil was less efficient. This suggests that periodical additions of olive oil would be needed to maintain a proper degradation rate. After the oil additions, the WHO-TEQ content of the soil declined with first order reaction half-lives of 19.2 to 19.7 d. The overall half-life during the four-week treatment, however, was 30 d. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in the PCDD/F concentration of aged sawmill soil can be achieved with a relatively simple olive oil-sunlight treatment. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: Some theoretical and technological questions need to be solved before using the investigated soil decontamination method in larger-scale applications. The functions of vegetable oils in photodegradation processes should be studied in more detail. The amount of oil that is needed for a proper solubilisation and photodegradation of PCDD/Fs should be minimised. Moreover, special care should be taken to prevent mobilisation of PCDD/Fs to the surrounding environment and to avoid leaving bioavailable residuals of PCDD/Fs in soil.