Domestic laundering: Environmental audit in Glasgow with emphasis on passive indoor drying and air quality

Abstract

As the UK and Scottish governments aim for zero-carbon housing, with tightly sealed building envelopes becoming paramount, indoor air quality (IAQ) and its implications for health has become a concern. This context relates to the reported findings of a 2008-2011 study, 'Environmental Assessment of Domestic Laundering', concerning the prevalence of passive indoor drying (PID). Assessment of PID impacts, shaped by built and social context including occupants' habits and trends, draws on monitored data from 22 case studies out of a wider survey of 100 dwellings in Glasgow. The smaller group included analysis of air samples, and provided scenarios for enhanced dynamic modelling via laboratory work on moisture buffering.The evidence suggests PID has important implications for energy consumption and IAQ; in the latter case because moisture levels are likely to boost dust mite populations and concentrations of airborne mould spores. Thus findings suggest possible negative impacts on health. Further work concerning VOCs and laundering is also advocated. The paper concludes by recommending amended building standards allied to design guidance for improved practice; these aiming to prevent PID moisture diffusion within habitable rooms by upgrading minimum requirements, and also to require enhanced outdoor drying facilities.

An assessment of environmental conditions in bedrooms of contemporary low energy houses in Scotland

“…However, poor ventilation rates are seen in bedrooms with more frequent window opening – which compromises the air-tightness – and previous research has identified similar conditions in dwellings that are not particularly airtight. 74 The focus then shifts towards the nature of the ventilation strategies.…”

“…In OC1 for example estimated ventilation rates, with single occupancy were 4.58 l/s/p – the measured MVHR supply rate for this room was 6.98 l/s. The disabling of the system will reduce ventilation rates with consequent effects on CO 2 levels 74 and there are several instances noted where this has occurred, the most common explanation being that this is conceived of as a heating system.…”

“…41,42 Changes in lifestyle, such as indoor clothes drying, are in part driven by changes in design, and high levels of indoor humidity can have a major impact in terms of bacteria, fungi and HDM proliferation. 43 As well as the pollutants themselves, there are unknown effects due to interactions between compounds and their environments, 44 a case in point being the effects of higher temperature and humidity increasing emissions of volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde. 45…”

“…41,42 Changes in lifestyle, such as indoor clothes drying, are in part driven by changes in design, and high levels of indoor humidity can have a major impact in terms of bacteria, fungi and HDM proliferation. 43 As well as the pollutants themselves, there are unknown effects due to interactions between compounds and their environments, 44 a case in point being the effects of higher temperature and humidity increasing emissions of volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde. 45 A particular challenge is that as increasingly stringent energy requirements have been written into legislation, the low energy measures which, until a few years ago were confined to small numbers of exemplar houses, are now becoming mainstream in new housing.…”