This Is Purdue: Groundbreaking Indoor Air Quality Research in Purdue’s Tiny House Lab
Episode: Purdue Professors Brandon Boor and Nusrat Jung on Their Groundbreaking Indoor Air Quality Research in First-of-Its-Kind Tiny House Lab
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Introduction
In the latest episode of This Is Purdue, host Kate Young engages in an insightful conversation with Purdue University’s esteemed professors Brandon Boor and Nusrat Jung. The episode delves into their pioneering research on indoor air quality conducted within Purdue’s unique tiny house lab. Through their collaborative efforts, Professors Boor and Jung are advancing our understanding of how architectural design and everyday activities impact the air we breathe indoors.
Meet the Researchers: Brandon Boor and Nusrat Jung
Personal Journeys and Academic Paths
Brandon Boor and Nusrat Jung are not only partners in research but also partners in life. Married for ten years, their journey began in Finland in 2011 at the VTT Technical Research Center, where Nusrat was a research scientist and Brandon joined as a visiting PhD student through a National Science Foundation grant. Their shared passion for civil engineering and indoor environments led them to Purdue University in 2015.
Brandon Boor [02:42]: "We first met working in the same group the first week that I was there and the rest is history."
Nusrat Jung [03:34]: "We are a family of five, including our three wonderful cats who have been an integral part of our lives both in Finland and Purdue."
Purdue’s Tiny House Lab: A First-of-Its-Kind Research Facility
Innovative Infrastructure for Environmental Health
At the heart of their research is Purdue’s Z Edge Tiny House Lab—a 192-square-foot residential lab equipped with state-of-the-art sensors to monitor indoor air quality. Designed to mimic a typical home, the lab allows Professors Boor and Jung to closely examine how everyday activities influence the air we breathe.
Nusrat Jung [20:31]: "It is a house because we want to provide our audiences something to relate to. We live in houses, and it really helps connect with the real-world activities."
The tiny house lab serves as a controlled environment where numerous sensors track pollutants, enabling the researchers to identify and analyze harmful compounds introduced through daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and personal care routines.
Groundbreaking Research Findings
Impact of Everyday Products on Indoor Air Quality
Professors Boor and Jung have made significant discoveries regarding how common household products affect indoor air quality. One notable finding involves the compound siloxane, prevalent in various hair care products.
Nusrat Jung [25:32]: "We found that normal hair care products can expose us to very high levels of siloxane, a toxic compound that accumulates in our bodies."
Their research revealed that using heated appliances alongside these products increases the volatility of siloxane, posing serious health risks despite the invisible nature of these pollutants.
In another critical study titled "Flame-Free Candles Are Not Pollution-Free," the duo uncovered that scented wax melts emit similar levels of airborne nanoparticles as traditional candles, challenging the misconception that non-combustible options are pollution-free.
Brandon Boor [30:59]: "Even though the wax melt has no combustion involved, we're generating similar amounts of airborne nanoparticles as you would with a candle."
These findings underscore the hidden dangers of seemingly benign household items and highlight the importance of scrutinizing their chemical compositions.
Strategies for Improving Indoor Air Quality
Practical Solutions for Healthier Living Spaces
In response to their research, Professors Boor and Jung offer practical strategies to enhance indoor air quality:
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Better Ventilation: Enhancing ventilation systems to dilute indoor pollutants with outdoor air.
Brandon Boor [25:32]: "Ventilation is a great way to bring in outdoor air to dilute all the contaminants that we're generating indoors."
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Filtration: Implementing high-efficiency filters in HVAC systems and using portable air purifiers to remove contaminants effectively.
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Source Control: Reducing the use of products that emit harmful chemicals and opting for less toxic alternatives.
Nusrat Jung [28:18]: "Reducing the number of chemical-laden products we bring into our homes is crucial for minimizing our exposure."
These strategies aim to mitigate the adverse effects of indoor pollutants, promoting healthier living and working environments.
Collaborative Research and Industry Partnerships
Leveraging Diverse Expertise and Advanced Technologies
The collaboration between Professors Boor and Jung extends beyond their partnership, encompassing teamwork with other faculty, graduate students, and industry partners. Their research initiatives often involve large-scale measurement campaigns that require meticulous coordination and project management.
Brandon Boor [13:34]: "We have worked with IU Indiana University, our rivals on the basketball court, but collaborators in research on indoor atmospheric chemistry."
Industry partnerships have provided access to cutting-edge air quality instruments, enabling precise measurements and fostering innovative discoveries.
Nusrat Jung [33:06]: "We are able to really test the lower threshold and the higher threshold of whatever product that they are producing because we are able to measure so much in our lab."
Impact on Students and the Future of Civil Engineering
Educating the Next Generation of Innovators
Professors Boor and Jung are deeply committed to mentoring students, offering them hands-on research opportunities within the tiny house lab. Their approach emphasizes a holistic understanding of buildings as complex engineering systems, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges in indoor air quality and building design.
Nusrat Jung [35:43]: "Buildings are very complex engineering systems, and each building presents a new challenge because it functions differently."
Their teaching philosophy encourages students to embrace the complexity of environmental issues, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for future advancements.
Brandon Boor [38:34]: "We want to create buildings of the future that promote our health, our well-being, our productivity, that are energy-efficient."
Purdue’s Leadership in Environmental Health Research
A Hub of Innovation and Collaboration
Purdue University stands out as a global leader in environmental health research, thanks to its robust infrastructure and collaborative culture. The Z Edge Tiny House Lab exemplifies Purdue’s commitment to cutting-edge research, supporting endeavors that have significant societal impacts.
Brandon Boor [42:11]: "Purdue is a leader in engineering research. We're doing research that a lot of universities in the world just cannot do because we have the infrastructure in place."
The university’s focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, combining expertise from civil engineering, chemistry, and environmental sciences, enhances its ability to address complex pollution issues and develop effective mitigation strategies.
Final Thoughts: The Purdue Legacy
Transforming Research into Global Impact
In closing, Professors Boor and Jung emphasize the importance of Purdue’s research contributions to global knowledge and public policy. Their work not only advances scientific understanding but also offers tangible solutions that improve everyday life.
Nusrat Jung [46:05]: "It is the years of training and the years of experience and expertise that have gone into our discoveries."
Their dedication exemplifies Purdue’s broader mission to generate high-quality research that influences society positively, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future.
Brandon Boor [43:58]: "All this high-quality research that we produce at Purdue does have an impact... It can transform the whole research enterprise globally."
Conclusion
This episode of This Is Purdue highlights the remarkable contributions of Professors Brandon Boor and Nusrat Jung to the field of indoor air quality research. Through innovative facilities like the Z Edge Tiny House Lab and a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, Purdue University continues to lead in environmental health research, fostering advancements that resonate worldwide.
For more detailed insights and to explore Purdue’s groundbreaking research firsthand, visit the This Is Purdue YouTube page for bonus content and lab tours.
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