Nutritional effects on the acclimation of indoor air biofilters to toluene at typical indoor concentrations
Mallany, J.1,*, Darlington A.1,2 and Dixon M.1
ABSTRACT
Reduced air exchange rates in modern buildings may lead to increased volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure to building occupants. Elevated levels of VOCs have been associated with a variety of health problems. Biofilters may be an effective means of reducing indoor VOCs without relying on increased ventilation. Although biofilters acclimate and function at concentrations below 100 ppbv, indoor VOC concentrations are typically below 10 ppbv. In this study, indoor air biofilters were exposed to air containing less than 10 ppbv toluene and monitored for acclimation and removal under three nutrient regimes. Approximately, 67% of the biofilters exposed to average daily toluene concentrations of between 2 and 4 ppbv exhibited significant removal. Nutrition did not influence the probability of acclimation or the variation observed among biofilters that did acclimate.
KEY WORDS
Biofilter, indoor air quality, volatile organic compounds, toluene, acclimation
1 Department of Plant Agriculture, Horticulture Division, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, NIE 2W1
* Corresponding and presenting author. Jmallany@uoguelph.ca
2 Air Quality Solutions, 55 Calendar Dr. Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1E 4H6
