retrofitting existing homes: impacts on human health rose furnival ben meeting 31 st january 2013
TRANSCRIPT
RETROFITTING EXISTING HOMES:IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH
ROSE FURNIVALBEN MEETING31ST JANUARY 2013
Retrofitting strategies
Improving thermal performance of buildings often includes:
Improving building fabric through use of insulation
Reducing loss of heat via uncontrolled ventilation (infiltration) by draught proofing
Insulation - synthetic
Insulation - natural
Finishes
Health impacts
Fall into three categories:Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Mould and bacteriaDust mites
VOCs - Formaldehyde
Mould
Aspergillus repens
Ullocladium consortiale
Mould
Dust mites
Solutions - RH
Solutions
Mould and dust mitesControl relative humidityAdequate ventilation - maintenanceSurface temperaturesThermal bridging
VOCs - Avoid!
Why care?
People spend more than 80% of time indoors
Interactions between these agents not fully understood
Effect could take place incrementally over years or even decades
Could be even more harmful to those with pre-existing health conditions