Acoustic and Thermal Comfort

Chapter 6

Himanshu Dehra

Abstract

1. Introduction

particles and gases [1].

to cancer.

101

Noise Calculation Charts and

Evaluating Industrial Indoor

Environment and Health

from industrial indoor environment are also elaborated.

Keywords: noise, ventilation, physical agents, noise chart, IEQ, health

Improved building techniques and concern for energy efficiency have created airtight housing. These buildings also retain and recirculate indoor air-along with any contaminants. At the same time many common chemicals and materials in the home are now being implicated in conditions from chronic respiratory irritation

These potentially harmful substances carried in indoor air fall into two groups:

Particles are invisible and evade the body's natural filtering mechanisms, carrying toxic substances deep into lung tissue and are absorbed into the body. Dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and pollen are common particles that cause asthma

Indoor Environmental Quality for

Noise, defined as "a sensation of unwanted intensity of a wave," is perception of a pollutant and a type of environmental stressor. An environmental stressor such as noise may have detrimental effects on various aspects of health. The unwanted intensity of a wave is a propagation of noise due to transmission of waves (viz. physical agents) such as sun, light, sound, heat, electricity, fluid, and fire. The effects of these physical agents on human health as noise-intruding elements in an industrial indoor environment are discussed. Noise characterization is discussed from indoor air quality and health perspective. The noise calculation charts are detailed for interference of noise waves based on a benchmark solution. These charts calculate positive and negative magnitudes of noise based on noise characterization of waves due to power difference of two intensities. The noise interference is calculated from newly devised noise measurement equations and their units. The grades and flag colors are notated to the noise calculation charts. Furthermore, illustrated examples of noise characterization calculations for indoor environment are presented using devised noise measurement equations. Indoor environmental quality and noise instrumentation are discussed. Adverse effects of pollutants on human health are summarized. Ventilation systems for dispersion of pollutants
