Investigating Mixing and Dispersion Mechanisms of Gaseous Pollutants and Particles in Residences

This study provides controlled experimental results of the effect of various mixing mechanisms on dispersion of gas-phase and particle pollutants in a residential environment. The use of continuous measurements across different zones can help better determine which mixing mechanisms within a home validate the 'well-mixed' hypothesis often used in indoor exposure and indoor chemistry studies. Preliminary results suggest that for instantaneous release of a tracer gas within an open-kitchen layout, local concentrations in specific rooms within the home can be as twice as large as perfect mixing. Additionally, results demonstrate that it takes more than three time constants to stabilize concentrations across all rooms.