Creating healthy indoor air

Summary

Because we spend nine tenths of our lives inside, people are more exposed to harmful air pollution indoors than out, resulting in a growing toll of ill health which costs billions of dollars a year. CRC CARE is pioneering a novel form of air filtration with potential to radically improve the quality and safety of indoor air. This uses visible light and a nanocatalyst to break down and remove toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by furnishings and building materials, which are among the most common indoor air pollutants.

Project description

Indoor air quality is receiving more and more public attention due to its impact on human health. Long-term exposure to air toxins such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air, which can originate from various sources such as paints, coatings, cleaning fluids, and office equipment, can cause sick building syndrome (SBS).

This project aims to develop effective and economic technologies for elimination of a variety of indoor VOCs using heterogeneous catalysis.

Journal publications

Agustina, TE, Ang, HM & Pareek, VK 2008, 'Treatment of winery wastewater using a photocatalytic/photolytic reactor', Chemical Engineering Journal 135: 151-156.

Wang, S, Ang, H & Tade, MO 2007, 'Volatile organic compounds in indoor environment and photocatalytic oxidation: State of the art', Environmental International 33 (5), 694-705.