Dustin Poppendieck

This is your semi-annual reminder to scientist using data logging instruments that the data looks strange from this weekend due to the daylight savings time change....

Oh I better start that.. I promised quite a literature review.

Reviewing abstracts for Indoor Air 2026. I am getting excited to attend!

Although not the 20+ h journey to get there...

(Full disclosure I am a co-author)

Gas-phase chemical transfer through heat and energy recovery ventilators Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilators (HRVs and ERVs) improve the energy efficiency of mechanical ventilation, but concerns exist that ERVs may also tr…

You can increase your mechanical ventilation in a house with an HRV (exchanges heat but not water) or an ERV (exchanges both).

An ERV is more energy efficient, but it also does not remove water soluble compounds from indoor air as well as HRV.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

There are use cases where 222 nm benefits outweigh the IAQ risks (hospitals, etc). But it is not silver bullet with no risks. It needs engineered installations.

Measurements and Modeling of GUV222-Driven Increases in SOA Concentrations in an Unoccupied Office The COVID-19 pandemic led to heightened interest in germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) lamps, which can deactivate bacteria and viruses in infectious aerosols. Recently, lamps using 222 nm (GUV222) light to...

Germicidal ultraviolet lights using 222 nm produce ozone and induce indoor air chemistry.

This chemistry may result in significant potential health impacting ultrafine particles IF there is prolonged presences of limonene(e.g. fragrances ) in the room.

pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Ten questions concerning the future of ventilation and indoor air quality in European schools Research about the importance of ventilation and indoor air quality in schools has attracted scientific attention for several decades. Multiple studie…

We need more ventilation in schools.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

"60% of the investigated AC units were net emitters of bioaerosols and fungi."

Beyond the Odor: Targeting the Root Cause of Air Conditioning VOC Pulse Release for Next-Generation Indoor Air Quality Amid rising global temperatures and the growing demand for air conditioning (AC), reports of transient sour and foul odors are also increasing. Using a novel combination of PTR-TOF-MS and FTIR in laboratory simulations, this study found that shifting AC operation from 16 to 26 °C triggers a rapid pulse release of key OCs, including acetaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, acetic acid, acrylic acid, and propionic acid. Concentrations surged within 5 min (e.g., acetic acid rose 11.06 ppbv), peaked around 12 min (19.20 ppbv), and stabilized after approximately 16 min. Total acetic acid emitted in the first 5 min was 736.18 μg. The primary sources were hydrophilic top coatings, whose VOC emission profiles correspond to operational odors under specific thermo-humidity conditions. Secondary sources included acrylic sealants, which released temperature-dependent acids such as acrylic acid, and filter modules, which partially reduced odors via adsorption. The underlying mechanism is described as “low-temperature condensation and enrichment followed by thermally-induced pulse release” driven by variations in the temperature and humidity. Subsequent optimization cut key VOCs within 5 min, achieving 100% propionic acid and 99.88% acetic acid reduction. This work elucidates the physics-driven origin of AC odors, paving the way for next-generation odor-free AC through source-control engineering.

Condensation on HVAC coils can concentrate water soluble chemicals, leading to higher concentrations/odors when the water evaporates.

pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Types of plasticizers use for indoor products have evolved over the last 25 years as we learn about health effects.

Interesting figure from a review article by Wenjuan Wei:

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Oh hey! That is our work. I didn't know it was available already.

Thanks for remining me that I need get through those proofs ASASP!

Volatile organic compound emissions from human body at different activity levels - key compounds and emission rates Humans are important sources of indoor VOCs, especially in densely populated indoor environments and enclosed spaces. Human VOC emissions are closely …

We emit chemicals through our breath and skin. The more active we are the more we emit. Hexanal and acetone are leading emitters.

Cool study. Good introduction.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), Atmospheric Aerosol Physics and Chemistry The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) position in the field of Atmospheric Aerosol Physics and Chemistry at the Department of Technical Phy

Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) at the University of Eastern Finland:
Fixed‑term position (2026–2028) focusing on VOC precursors, SOA formation, and/or flux measurements; includes doctoral studies. Apply by 2 March 2026:
- uef.varbi.com/en/what:job/...

New publication alert! "Analysis of Impact of Ventilation and Air Cleaning Strategies on Classroom PM2.5 and CO2 under Normal and Wildfire Conditions – A CONTAM Simulation Study" Read more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #science 🧪 #ieq

Don't let conference hotel prices break the bank! 💸

We’re helping student attendees find roommates for the upcoming ISIAQ conference. It's a great way to save money and make new friends in the field.

Fill out the request form here: mms.isiaq.org/members/form...

#StudentLife #ISIAQ #ConferenceTips

Congratz on the incoming second!

We found that while close contact contributed to elevated risk (rate ratio 1.16 per doubling daily time, 95%-CI 1.01–1.33), time spent in shared classrooms and poor air quality had larger effects (RR 3.17, 95%-CI 1.96–5.17 and RR 1.90 95%-CI 1.23–2.94) respectively).

I think I just reviewed my first AI generated paper. It was bad.

Ozone Exposure (Outdoor–Indoor–Personal) and Mental Health in Young Adults Mental disorders pose a growing threat to young adults globally. While ozone exposure has been linked to anxiety and depression, reliance on ambient measurements may misrepresent personal exposure. Th...

Indoor and personal ozone exposure correlates with mental health and sleep quality better than outdoor ozone. Secondary ozone chemistry?

pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

Quantification of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), and Ultrafine Particles (UFPs) Emitted by Domestic Air Fryers: A Chamber Study of Indoor Air Quality Impacts Air frying has emerged as a popular low-oil cooking method, yet its impact on indoor air pollutant emissions remains insufficiently understood. In our study, emissions of volatile organic compounds (V...

Air fryers produce indoor air pollution, but less than conventional frying.

pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....

The Chinese Renewable Energy Revolution Affects The Whole World - CleanTechnica Renewable energy in China is surging, with follow on effects that impact the entire world community on the way to the future.

"In 2024, the total installed electricity capacity of the planet — every coal, gas, hydro, and nuclear plant and all of the renewables — was about 10 terawatts. The Chinese solar supply chain can now pump out 1 terawatt of panels every year”
cleantechnica.com/2026/01/30/t...

Scientists may have been wrong about what causes asthma Asthma may not be driven by the molecules scientists have blamed for decades. Researchers have identified “pseudo leukotrienes,” inflammation-triggering compounds formed by uncontrolled free-radical r...

Indoor chemistry and asthma link?

sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010147.htm

Unravelling airborne complexities: the role of spider webs and indoor dust in assessing human exposure to indoor organic micropollutants - Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology - Unravelling airborne complexities: the role of spider webs and indoor dust in assessing human exposure to indoor organic micropollutants

"Beyond their analytical relevance, spider webs offer a cost-effective, passive, and easily DEPLOYABLE monitoring tool..."

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Column | How bad is your stove for your health? Look it up. Stanford University scientists’ new model estimates exposure to the pollutant nitrogen dioxide based on home size, how often the stove is used and where people live.

Washington Post wades into the gas stove debate.

www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

SVOCs, VOCs and microbiological contamination in sports facilities, what are people exposed to? The indoor air quality of sports facilities was studied in France for different types of sports rooms (fitness, dojos, motor skills, physical activity…

Want a reason not to go the gym?

High plasticizers, flame retardants and PAHs in two European gyms.

I guess I will go shovel some more snow.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Occupational exposure to tris (chloropropyl) phosphate in flexible polyurethane foam workers: exposure levels and risk assessment AbstractIntroduction. Tris (chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) is an organophosphate flame retardant (PFR) added to flexible polyurethane foam to adhere to nat

The flame retardant TCPP is used in spray polyurethane foam. SPF is up to 10% by weight. It is a suspected human carcinogen, linked to asthma and allergies. And can be measured in indoor air 10 years after application.

But some good news:

academic.oup.com/annweh/artic...

Our @isiaq.bsky.social webinar has been postponed until May due to severe winter weather in the US that impacted much of the leadership team & a large number of registrants. Apologies for any inconvenience. You can still register for our March webinar here: www.isiaq.org/leadership_i... #IndoorAir

Carbon monoxide deaths spike during power outages. Many times, this is due to portable generators being placed too close to people's homes or run indoors. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms. Run your generator outdoors, at least 20ft away from your home.

Carbon monoxide deaths spike during power outages.

If you own a portable generator, make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms. One portable generator can produce as much carbon monoxide as hundreds of cars.