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McKay, Donald. "Front matter" Multimedia Environmental Models ...

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Figure 8.11 Transport and transformation processes in a typical activated sludge plant represented<br />

as three well mixed compartments. The relative chemical fluxes, e.g. (100),<br />

are illustrative.<br />

8.11.1 Introduction<br />

©2001 CRC Press LLC<br />

8.11 INDOOR AIR MODELS<br />

We present here a very simple model of chemical fate in indoor air. Numerous<br />

studies have shown that humans are exposed to much higher concentrations of certain<br />

chemicals indoors than outdoors. Notable are radon, CO, CO 2, formaldehyde, pesticides,<br />

and volatile solvents present in glues, paints, and a variety of consumer<br />

products.<br />

The key issue is that, whereas advective flow rates are large outdoors, they are<br />

constrained to much smaller values indoors. Attempts to reduce heating costs often<br />

result in reduced air exchange, leading to increased chemical “entrapment.” A nuclear<br />

submarine or a space vehicle is an extreme example of reduced advection. Fairly<br />

complicated models of chemical emission, sorption, reaction, and exhaust in multichamber<br />

buildings have been compiled [e.g., Nazaroff and Cass (1986, 1989) and<br />

Thompson et al. (1986)], but we treat here only the simple model developed by<br />

Mackay and Paterson (1983), which shows how D values can be used to estimate<br />

indoor concentrations caused by evaporating pools or spills of chemicals.<br />

An example of the effective use of fugacity for compiling mass balances indoors<br />

is the INPEST model, developed in Japan by Matoba et al. (1995, 1998). This model<br />

successfully describes the changing concentration of pyrethroid pesticides applied<br />

indoors in the hours and days following their application. Because of the reduced<br />

advection, there is a potential for high concentrations and exposures immediately<br />

following pesticide use, and it may be desirable to evacuate the room or building<br />

for a number of hours to allow the initial peak concentration in air to dissipate. The<br />

INPEST fugacity model, which is in the form of a spreadsheet, can be used to suggest<br />

effective strategies for avoiding excessive exposure. It can be used to compare<br />

pesticides and explore the effects of different application practices.

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