IAQ Study Begun in Quebec Homes of Asthmatic Children
The National Research Council Canada's Institute for Research in Construction (http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/index_e.html) has launched a major indoor air quality improvement and research project that includes a field study in the homes of about 100 families with asthmatic children in the Québec City area. This study is being done to improve the agency's understanding of the impact of ventilation and air distribution on IAQ in buildings.
The project supports the Canadian government's Clean Air Agenda. NRC-IRC said its work is three-pronged: studying the correlation among ventilation, air quality, and health; developing methods to assess technologies that are presumed to IAQ; and providing a national forum and clearinghouse on issues related to IAQ and buildings.
The field study involves an initial assessment and a follow-up assessment within two years. This research is being done in partnership with the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) and support from Health Canada and others. NRC_IRC said it has created a scientific committee to review and guide the progress of the study until it is completed. Also, a new independent national committee is being created to provide reliable, unbiased information to governments, industry, and consumers about IAQ solutions and technologies.
To support the field study, a new Indoor Air Research Facility has been constructed on NRC's Ottawa Campus. There, modifications for homes will be designed and tested to measure the impact of different strategies. Features include variable air tightness, flexible room size and home designs, several types of HVAC systems, and heat recovery ventilators.