About this Research Topic
The study of indoor air quality is increasingly relevant given its impact on public health, and it involves both engineering and metrological considerations (measurements and monitoring of pollutants). Accordingly, knowledge and development of innovative and high-performance methodologies represent promising tools for identifying sources of indoor pollution and implementing structural interventions to reduce them.
Among the various sources of indoor pollution, building materials stand out; based on their origin (artificial or natural) and their composition, they are the major source of release of chemical substances and ionizing radiation. In addition, there is an increasingly growing attention to building materials obtained from the reuse of by-products from other industries in order to comply with the principles of the circular economy. This economic transition, in fact, requires producers to make an effort to contain waste, reduce the exploitation of raw materials, and create products that guarantee good mechanical-engineering yields. However, there are still few studies and monitoring on the impact of these building materials on human health and indoor environmental impact. To date, the importance of indoor air quality and sources of pollutants are confirmed by the presence of national and international regulations involving various stakeholders in order to optimize the risk management of the built environment.
The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight and share with specialists information relating to: indoor environmental monitoring activities; identification of the most important pollutants, with particular attention to those deriving from building materials (for example ionizing radiation, radon, etc., but also chemical pollutants); studies and feasibility tests relating to the use of residues from other industries as components of building materials (for example residues from the NORM industries); innovative metrological approaches; the state of the art of remedial actions in order to improve the risk management of indoor environmental pollutants.
We invite indoor air quality specialists to submit the results of their studies relating to:
• Monitoring and evaluation of indoor pollutants (with particular attention to building materials' contribution);
• Adoption of remedial action strategies and evaluation of their effectiveness.
The invitation is also extended to other topics that fall within those relevant to the Built Environment.
Among the various sources of indoor pollution, building materials stand out; based on their origin (artificial or natural) and their composition, they are the major source of release of chemical substances and ionizing radiation. In addition, there is an increasingly growing attention to building materials obtained from the reuse of by-products from other industries in order to comply with the principles of the circular economy. This economic transition, in fact, requires producers to make an effort to contain waste, reduce the exploitation of raw materials, and create products that guarantee good mechanical-engineering yields. However, there are still few studies and monitoring on the impact of these building materials on human health and indoor environmental impact. To date, the importance of indoor air quality and sources of pollutants are confirmed by the presence of national and international regulations involving various stakeholders in order to optimize the risk management of the built environment.
The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight and share with specialists information relating to: indoor environmental monitoring activities; identification of the most important pollutants, with particular attention to those deriving from building materials (for example ionizing radiation, radon, etc., but also chemical pollutants); studies and feasibility tests relating to the use of residues from other industries as components of building materials (for example residues from the NORM industries); innovative metrological approaches; the state of the art of remedial actions in order to improve the risk management of indoor environmental pollutants.
We invite indoor air quality specialists to submit the results of their studies relating to:
• Monitoring and evaluation of indoor pollutants (with particular attention to building materials' contribution);
• Adoption of remedial action strategies and evaluation of their effectiveness.
The invitation is also extended to other topics that fall within those relevant to the Built Environment.
Keywords: Indoor air quality, Indoor pollutants measurement, Building materials, Risk management, Environmental assessment
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
