EXTERIOR MOISTURE CREATES INDOOR HUMIDITY, DEWPOINT BIOAEROSOL INCREASES IN HEALTHY BUILDINGS

摘要

Indoor environmental parameters and bioaerosols were studied in relation to exterior moisture events in healthy buildings. Significant differences between both relative humidity and dewpoint were observed when paired samples from wet and dry climatological conditions were compared (p<0.001). Relative humidity averaged almost 20 percent (7.2 scale points) higher indoors following rainfall. Bioaerosols determined during these climatological conditions were observed to remain elevated up to three days following heavy rainfall periods in building locations exhibiting increased humidity. Results indicate that heavy rainfalls can produce sustained indoor bioaerosol increases in healthy buildings. HVAC systems cannot control such high level, short-lived exterior moisture. These findings are discussed relative to HVAC system limitations, and bioaerosol concentration implications, in hot and humid climates.