A healthy side at the house

Several studies have shown that the effect of a noisy side to a house can be reduced with the presence of a quiet side. With the presence of a quiet side residents are less annoyed and sleep better. There are indications that the effect is enhanced when the quiet side is also a pleasant, green side. This paper shows that in an urban setting a traditional quiet side can also be a side of the house with relatively clean air. This is particularly the case when the air pollution is caused by road traffic at the other side, i.e. the noisy side. Two air polution components have been investigated: nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and soot, a component of ultrafine particulate matter. Measurements show that af the quiet side of dwellings the concentrations of NO2 and soot are of the same magnitude as in urban ares where the least air pollution is found, such as in parks or quiet urban areas. This means that a green, quiet side to a house may also offer the opportunity to have a relatively clean side and thus be a pleasant and healthy place.