Investigation on Indoor Air Quality at Rural Houses in Winter in Severe Cold Region

Abstract

Chinese Kang is one of the most important heating facilities at rural houses in China. The biomass materials such as wood and straw are the primary fuels, which release many pollutants. Inadequate ventilation prevents the pollutants from discharging out. In this study, we investigated the indoor air quality at rural houses in severe cold region of China. The pollutants including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, TVOC, CO₂, CO, SO₂, NO_X, and NH₃ were monitored and the subjective questionnaires on indoor air quality were administered simultaneously. The results shows that PM_2.5, PM₁₀, SO₂, NOx, and CO₂ were the main pollutants at rural houses, with the overproof rates of 97, 79, 99, 63, 71 %, respectively. Nevertheless, the occupants were satisfied with the indoor air quality even the indoor pollutants’ concentrations exceeded the limits specified in the indoor air quality standard. It had a strong correlation between the concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, and PM_2.5 also correlated well with the concentration of CO. It is found that the indoor air quality at rural houses improved greatly with the increasing outdoor temperature in March compared to December and January.