Indoor air quality of a chemical industry in são carlos, sp, brazil

Indoor Air Quality of a Chemical Industry in São Carlos, SP, Brazil
Mayumi Silva Kawamotoa, Tatiane Tagino Comina, Wiclef Dymurgo Marra Juniorb and
Mônica Lopes Aguiara,*. a Laboratory of Environmental Control, Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São
Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís - km 235, CEP: 13565-905, São Carlos - SP, Brazil.
*
[e-mail] b Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, EESC – USP

The concern about the indoor air quality and the production, emission and utilization of many chemical substances and their environmental and health effects has increased during the last years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50% of the world population suffers with poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and human exposure to potential toxic substances can harm the cardiovascular and respiratory system, and cause headaches, drowsiness and loss of concentration. Most people in developed countries spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Taking into account that each person inhales about 22m³ air per day, inhalation of indoor air is potentially the major determinant of human exposure to many pollutants [1]. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. A potential relationship between indoor air quality and CO2 includes the healthy effects of elevated CO2 concentrations, the impact of CO2 on occupant perceptions, the relationship between CO2 concentrations and the concentrations of other indoor contaminants, and the relationship between CO2 and outdoor air ventilation rates. In some situations, indoor CO2 concentrations can be used to evaluate building ventilation, specifically air change rates and percent outdoor air intake [2].
This paper presents measurements of indoor CO2 concentrations, humidity and temperature levels during four months in a chemical industry located in the city of Sao Carlos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) that produces paints, varnishes, solvents and