Richard L. Corsi, Ph.D., P.E.Chair & ECH Bantel Professor for Professional Practice

Civil, Architectural & Environmental EngineeringCo-Director – Center for Sustainable Development (SoA)

The University of Texas at Austin

ESI Mini-Symposium: Environmental Science & Public HealthLegislative Assembly Room, UT SAC – 24 October 2014

Indoor Air QualityBuilding Anatomies & Their Importance

• 78.7 / 70 / 50 / 26 / 5 (varies by country)

• Higher levels of many toxic chemicals

• Dominates lifetime exposure to toxic chemicals

• Huge impact on fetuses, newborns

• IAQ affects productivity

• Buildings impact the natural environment

Importance of Buildings & IAQ

“If truckloads of dust with the same concentration of toxic chemicals as is found in most carpets were deposited outside, these locations would be considered hazardous waste dumps”

Ott & Roberts, “Everyday Exposure to Toxic Pollutants,” Scientific American, 1998

http://vimeo.com/107277872

Research Focus

Source (of stressor)

Transport / Fate

Exposure Dose Adverse responseX X

Research Focus

Source (of stressor)

Transport / Fate

Exposure Dose Adverse responseX X

‐20

‐10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1 2 3 4 5 6

Form

alde

hyde

 Red

uctio

n (%

)

Ventilation Event

supply (+) ventilation

exhaust (-) ventilation

0.02 – 0.38 hr-1

0.13 – 0.34 hr-1

0.11 – 0.48 hr-1

0.10 – 0.35 hr-1

0.02 – 0.21 hr-1

0.01 – 0.16 hr-1

City-specific benefits of AcC filters for O3 exposure reduction

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Past/Present• School of Architecture / Community & Regional Planning• Human ecology (textile and apparel)• Psychology• Communication science• Economics• Nursing

• Future (same + )• Epidemiologists• Health clinicians• Toxicologists

Sources/emissions Environmentalconditions

HVAC system

Energy

Control

Maintenance

Furnishings

Materials Transport & fate

Chemistry

Microbiology

Ventilation

Occupants

Challenges       Opportunities       Contributions

• Green materials/products & IAQ

• Urbanization & IAQ

• Emerging pollutants & IAQ

• Airborne infectious disease & IAQ

• Climate change & IAQ

NSF, NIEHS, EPA, CARB, Foundations, Industry, International sources

Communicating w/ Me

Email: corsi@mail.utexas.edu.

Follow me: @corsIAQ