A Modelling Study of the Impact of Surface Interactions on Indoor Air Quality

Although people in developed countries spend ~90% of their time indoors, indoor air quality has received little attention to date. The sparsity of measurements indoors, means that models are currently the best tool to provide insight into indoor air chemistry. This thesis examines the surface interactions indoors using a detailed chemical model, focusing on pollutant formation following ozone deposition on different indoor surfaces as well as from occupants. This study provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of indoor air chemistry. Ozone-derived surface emissions from materials and people, and also occupant activity indoors can impact chemical processing, through enhanced formation of secondary pollutants and decreased levels of oxidants. Consequently, there is a need for indoor air quality guidelines and policy regulation development.