Impact of HVAC filter on indoor air quality in terms of ozone removal and carbonyls generation

•A positive correlation between ozone removal efficiency and carbonyls generation.•A positive correlation between the mass of organic carbon and ozone removal.•A positive correlation between the mass of organic carbon and carbonyls generation.•No significant linear correlation between surface areas of dusts and ozone removal.•Dust compositions have greater influence on ozone removal than dust surface area.

This study aims at detecting ozone removal rates and corresponding carbonyls generated by ozone reaction with HVAC filters from various building, i.e., shopping mall, school, and office building. Studies were conducted in a small-scale environmental chamber. By examining dust properties including organic carbon proportion and specific surface area of dusts adsorbed on filters along with ozone removal rates and carbonyls generation rate, the relationship among dust properties, ozone removal rates, and carbonyls generation was identified. The results indicate a well-defined positive correlation between ozone removal efficiency and carbonyls generation on filters, as well as a positive correlation among the mass of organic carbon on filters, ozone removal efficiency and carbonyls generations.

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