Case Study of In-Cab Pollutants for Nonroad Construction Equipment

9 pages•Published: September 25, 2020

Phil Lewis, Rachel Mosier and Yongwei Shan

Abstract

Like buildings, nonroad construction equipment with enclosed cabs have doors and windows, and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; thus, these machines have their own indoor air quality (IAQ) environment. Understanding the role of thermal comfort and air pollutants can help equipment operators manage in-cab environments to reduce health concerns and increase productivity. The objective of this case study was to collect and analyze IAQ data from the cabs of nonroad equipment as it performed real-world activities. Using state-of-the-art IAQ instrumentation, data were collected for in-cab pollutant concentration levels including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and respirable particulate matter. Concentrations of carbon monoxide did not exceed published exposure limits for IAQ, but they did approach the published limits. Concentrations of CO2 frequently exceeded IAQ recommended levels for adequate ventilation. Concentrations of respirable particulate matter frequently exceeded IAQ recommended levels. The case study yielded enough information to conclude that studying IAQ in nonroad equipment cabs is necessary to improve human health, safety, and productivity for equipment operators.

Keyphrases: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, indoor air quality, nonroad equipment, particulate matter

In: Tom Leathem (editor). Associated Schools of Construction Proceedings of the 56th Annual International Conference, vol 1, pages 499-507.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/Jxb9
	https://doi.org/10.29007/z2wj

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2020:Case_Study_Cab_Pollutants,
  author    = {Phil Lewis and Rachel Mosier and Yongwei Shan},
  title     = {Case Study of In-Cab Pollutants for Nonroad Construction Equipment},
  booktitle = {Associated Schools of Construction Proceedings of the 56th Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Tom Leathem},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {1},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/Jxb9},
  doi       = {10.29007/z2wj},
  pages     = {499-507},
  year      = {2020}}

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