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Foto do escritorJoão Alves

Title: The benefits of wooden buildings for indoor air quality




"O nosso lar, nobre refúgio, porto seguro que deveria ser, por vezes se converte em cativeiro onde o ar, envenenado, é mais opressivo que no exterior. Pois se é verdade que somos aquilo que comemos, também é certo que somos aquilo que respiramos! Somente por meio de construções ecologicamente inteligentes, pode-se obter a qualidade do ar, livre de odores e purificado, que tanto almejamos em nossos lares."

"Our home, a noble refuge, and safe harbor it should be, sometimes becomes a captivity where the poisoned air is more oppressive than outside. For it is true that we are what we eat, it is also certain that we are what we breathe! Only through ecologically intelligent constructions can we obtain the air quality that we long for in our homes, free of odors and purified."

Introduction:

The indoor environment of our homes is an important factor for our health and well-being, as we spend most of our time indoors. However, studies show that indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor air, due to a variety of factors, such as lack of ventilation, and chemicals present in building materials and furniture, among others. In this sense, the construction of wooden buildings can offer significant benefits for indoor air quality.

Thermal properties of wood:

Wood is a naturally insulating material, which means that it has the ability to retain heat in cold environments and keep them cool in warm environments. According to research by Zhao et al. (2020), building wooden buildings can offer a significant reduction in energy consumption compared to building concrete or steel buildings. Additionally, wood is a renewable and sustainable material, making wooden construction a more eco-friendly option.

Hygroscopic properties of wood:

Wood also has hygroscopic properties, meaning that it can absorb and release moisture from the air, helping to balance the relative humidity of the indoor environment. A study by Salthammer and Marutzky (2014) showed that air moisture could affect indoor air quality, as it affects the release of chemicals in building materials and furniture. Wood can help maintain relative humidity at healthy levels, which can have a positive impact on occupants' health and well-being.

Conclusion:

The construction of wooden buildings can offer significant benefits for indoor air quality. Wood has thermal and hygroscopic properties that can help maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Additionally, wooden construction is a more eco-friendly and sustainable option compared to concrete or steel construction.

References:

Salthammer, T., & Marutzky, R. (2014). Indoor air pollution: Sources, measurements, and health effects. Wiley-VCH.

Zhao, J., Li, J., Huang, Y., Lu, Z., Yang, S., & Wang, Y. (2020). Energy-saving and environmental protection advantages of wooden structures in building construction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 248, 119204.

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