decipol

Definition

Unit of perceived indoor air quality, measured indirectly from the concentration of carbon dioxide and the amount of fresh air supplied. Higher the decipol number, more polluted the air. On a mountain or sea, the air is 0.01 decipol; outside-city air, 0.1 decipol; city air with moderate air pollution, 0.03 to 0.05 decipol; healthy building, 1.0 decipol; acceptable indoor air, 1.4 decipol; sick building, 10 decipol; tobacco smoke, 14.4 decipol. Invented in 1988 by the Danish environmental scientist, P. O. Fanger. See also olf.