Complete electrosmoke and air quality measurement in an office (Barcelona)

WHAT HAVE WE FOUND?

 WHAT SHOULD BE FOUND

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

 

WHAT HAVE WE FOUND?

Regarding the altern electric fields measured with the free potential method the readings were extreme: 58 V/m in a working place due to a wooden structure that hold the electric fields.

Regarding the altern magnetic fields the readings were slightly significant: 41 nT.

Regarding the electromagnetic waves, the readings were strong: 2900 µW/m² in a working place due to external sources, the wireless telephone and the wifi.

Regarding the continuous electric fields the readings were slightly significant: 170 V due to the chair’s cloth.

Regarding the continuous magnetic fields the readings were extreme: 16 µT in a working place due to the chair metal structure.

Regarding the radioactivity the readings were non-significant: 6% increment from background value.

Regarding radon gas the readings were non-significant: 34 Bq/m³.

Regarding the quality of light

• Light luminosity = 400 lux
• Chromatic spectrum = continuous
• Flickering = notable

Regarding formaldehyde concentration, the readings were extreme: > 375 µg/m3 due to the glues from the wooden materials.

Regarding the particles concentration in the air, the readings were non-significant: less the outdoor air.

Regarding relative humidity, the readings were non-significant: 57% HR.

Regarding CO₂ concentration, the readings were slightly significant: 700 ppm.

Regarding ions concentration in the air the readings were non-significant: 800 ions/cm³.

Regarding spores concentration in the air the readings were slightly significant: 96 colonies counted in a petri dish.

 

WHAT SHOULD BE FOUND

Altern electric fields: readings should be below 1,5 V/m and ideally below 0,3 V/m.

Altern magnetic fields: readings should be below 100 nT and ideally below 20 nT.

Electromagnetic waves: readings should be below 10 µW/m² and ideally below 0,1 µW/m².

Continuous electric fields: readings should be below 500 V and ideally below 100 V.

Continuous magnetic fields: readings should be below a difference of 2 µT and ideally below 1 µT.

Radioactivity: readings should be below a difference from the background reading of 70% and ideally below 50%.

Radon Gas: readings should be below 60 Bq/m³ and ideally below 30 Bq/m³.

Artificial light quality should be:

• Light luminosity > 500 lux
• Chromatic spectrum = continuous
• Flickering = low

Formaldehyde concentration: readings should be below 50 µg/m³ and ideally below 20 µg/m³.

Particles concentration in air: readings should be under outdoor non polluted air.

Relative humidity: readings should be between 30% and 70% HR and ideally between 40% and 60% HR.

CO₂ concentration in the air: readings should be under 1000 ppm and ideally under 600 ppm.

Small ions concentration in the air: readings should be above 200 ions/cm³ and ideally above 500 ions/cm³.

Spores concentration in the air: colonies counted in a Petri dish should be under 100 and ideally lower that outdoor air concentration.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

Altern electric fields: have a good quality earthling and connecting all possible electrically charged parts of the building to this earthling.

Electromagnetic waves: use a cordless phone set in “ECO +” mode and change the devices connexions into a wired system (LAN).

Continuous electric fields: cover the chair artificial material with a material which does not get charged electrostatically.

Continuous magnetic fields: replace the chair by another one with no metallic elements to it.

Radon Gas: Ventilate the office

Artificial light quality:

• Light luminosity add an extra bulb or replace the bulb with a brighter one
• Flickering = replace the bulb by another with lower flickering

Formaldehyde concentration: Ventilate the office.

Particles concentration in air: Confine or remove asbestos and have a ventilation system including HEPA filters.

CO₂ concentration: Ventilate the office.

Spores concentration Ventilate the office.