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Magzamen S, Mayer AP, Barr S, Bohren L, Dunbar B, Manning D, Reynolds SJ, Schaeffer JW, Suter J, Cross JE. A Multidisciplinary Research Framework on Green Schools: Infrastructure, Social Environment, Occupant Health, and Performance. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2017; 87:376-387. [PMID: 28382672 DOI: 10.1111/josh.12505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sustainable school buildings hold much promise to reducing operating costs, improve occupant well-being and, ultimately, teacher and student performance. However, there is a scarcity of evidence on the effects of sustainable school buildings on health and performance indicators. We sought to create a framework for a multidisciplinary research agenda that links school facilities, health, and educational outcomes. METHODS We conducted a nonsystematic review of peer review publications, government documents, organizational documents, and school climate measurement instruments. RESULTS We found that studies on the impact of physical environmental factors (air, lighting, and thermal comfort) on health and occupant performance are largely independent of research on the social climate. The current literature precludes the formation of understanding the causal relation among school facilities, social climate, occupant health, and occupant performance. CONCLUSIONS Given the average age of current school facilities in the United States, construction of new school facilities or retrofits of older facilities will be a major infrastructure investment for many municipalities over the next several decades. Multidisciplinary research that seeks to understand the impact of sustainable design on the health and performance of occupants will need to include both an environmental science and social science perspective to inform best practices and quantification of benefits that go beyond general measures of costs savings from energy efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1681 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681
| | - Adam P Mayer
- Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, 1784 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1784
| | - Stephanie Barr
- Institute for the Built Environment, Colorado State University, 1501 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1501
| | - Lenora Bohren
- Institute for the Built Environment, Colorado State University, 1501 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1501
| | - Brian Dunbar
- Institute for the Built Environment, Colorado State University, 1501 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1501
| | - Dale Manning
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, 1172 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1172
| | - Stephen J Reynolds
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1681 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681
| | - Joshua W Schaeffer
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 1681 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681
| | - Jordan Suter
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, 1172 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1172
| | - Jennifer E Cross
- Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, 1784 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1784
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Neisi A, Vosoughi M, Idani E, Goudarzi G, Takdastan A, Babaei AA, Ankali KA, Hazrati S, Shoshtari MH, Mirr I, Maleki H. Comparison of normal and dusty day impacts on fractional exhaled nitric oxide and lung function in healthy children in Ahvaz, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:12360-12371. [PMID: 28357800 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Children are the vulnerable group at risk of adverse health effects related to air pollution due to dust storm in Ahvaz. The purpose of this study was to compare the values of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and lung functions as parameters of adverse health effects of particulate matter (PM) in dusty and normal (non-dusty) days in elementary schoolchildren. The study was conducted among elementary school students in Ahvaz. The healthy elementary schoolchildren (N = 105) were selected from different districts for FENO and lung function sampling during the dusty and normal days. The values of PM10 and PM2.5 during dusty days were higher than during normal days. Mean values of FENO during the normal and dusty days were 14.23 and 20.3 ppb, respectively, and the difference between these values was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Lung function results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean values of forced vital capacity during the dusty and normal days (p < 0.05). The results revealed a significant difference both in the values of inflammatory biomarker and in the lung function tests in dusty and normal days. Based on our results, fractional exhaled nitric oxide could be a useful short-term biomarker of particulate pollution effect coupled with spirometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolkazem Neisi
- Environmental Technologies Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Vosoughi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
| | - Esmaeil Idani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Goudarzi
- Environmental Technologies Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Afshin Takdastan
- Environmental Technologies Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Babaei
- Environmental Technologies Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Kambiz Ahmadi Ankali
- Environmental Technologies Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sadegh Hazrati
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Maryam Haddadzadeh Shoshtari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Iman Mirr
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Heidar Maleki
- Master of Environmental Engineering, School of Science Water Engineering, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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van der Zee SC, Strak M, Dijkema MBA, Brunekreef B, Janssen NAH. The impact of particle filtration on indoor air quality in a classroom near a highway. INDOOR AIR 2017; 27:291-302. [PMID: 27167178 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A pilot study was performed to investigate whether the application of a new mechanical ventilation system with a fine F8 (MERV14) filter could improve indoor air quality in a high school near the Amsterdam ring road. PM10, PM2.5, and black carbon (BC) concentrations were measured continuously inside an occupied intervention classroom and outside the school during three sampling periods in the winter of 2013/2014. Initially, 3 weeks of baseline measurements were performed, with the existing ventilation system and normal ventilation habits. Next, an intervention study was performed. A new ventilation system was installed in the classroom, and measurements were performed during 8 school weeks, in alternating 2-week periods with and without the filter in the ventilation system under otherwise identical ventilation conditions. Indoor/outdoor ratios measured during the weeks with filter were compared with those measured without filter to evaluate the ability of the F8 filter to improve indoor air quality. During teaching hours, the filter reduced BC exposure by, on average, 36%. For PM10 and PM2.5, a reduction of 34% and 30% was found, respectively. This implies that application of a fine filter can reduce the exposure of schoolchildren to traffic exhaust at hot spot locations by about one-third.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C van der Zee
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Strak
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M B A Dijkema
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B Brunekreef
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - N A H Janssen
- Center for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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54
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The Correlation between Indoor and Outdoor Particulate Matter of Different Building Types in Daqing, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Canha N, Mandin C, Ramalho O, Wyart G, Ribéron J, Dassonville C, Hänninen O, Almeida SM, Derbez M. Assessment of ventilation and indoor air pollutants in nursery and elementary schools in France. INDOOR AIR 2016; 26:350-65. [PMID: 25955661 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and ventilation in French classrooms. Various parameters were measured over one school week, including volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, particulate matter (PM2.5 mass concentration and number concentration), carbon dioxide (CO2 ), air temperature, and relative humidity in 51 classrooms at 17 schools. The ventilation was characterized by several indicators, such as the air exchange rate, ventilation rate (VR), and air stuffiness index (ICONE), that are linked to indoor CO2 concentration. The influences of the season (heating or non-heating), type of school (nursery or elementary), and ventilation on the IAQ were studied. Based on the minimum value of 4.2 l/s per person required by the French legislation for mechanically ventilated classrooms, 91% of the classrooms had insufficient ventilation. The VR was significantly higher in mechanically ventilated classrooms compared with naturally ventilated rooms. The correlations between IAQ and ventilation vary according to the location of the primary source of each pollutant (outdoor vs. indoor), and for an indoor source, whether it is associated with occupant activity or continuous emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Canha
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
- Université Paris-Est, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Building Centre), OQAI (French Indoor Air Quality Observatory), Champs sur Marne, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France
| | - C Mandin
- Université Paris-Est, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Building Centre), OQAI (French Indoor Air Quality Observatory), Champs sur Marne, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France
| | - O Ramalho
- Université Paris-Est, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Building Centre), OQAI (French Indoor Air Quality Observatory), Champs sur Marne, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France
| | - G Wyart
- Université Paris-Est, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Building Centre), OQAI (French Indoor Air Quality Observatory), Champs sur Marne, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France
| | - J Ribéron
- Université Paris-Est, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Building Centre), OQAI (French Indoor Air Quality Observatory), Champs sur Marne, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France
| | - C Dassonville
- Université Paris-Est, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Building Centre), OQAI (French Indoor Air Quality Observatory), Champs sur Marne, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France
| | - O Hänninen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | - S M Almeida
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - M Derbez
- Université Paris-Est, CSTB (Scientific and Technical Building Centre), OQAI (French Indoor Air Quality Observatory), Champs sur Marne, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France
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Licina D, Bhangar S, Brooks B, Baker R, Firek B, Tang X, Morowitz MJ, Banfield JF, Nazaroff WW. Concentrations and Sources of Airborne Particles in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154991. [PMID: 27175913 PMCID: PMC4866781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have underdeveloped immune systems, making them susceptible to adverse health consequences from air pollutant exposure. Little is known about the sources of indoor airborne particles that contribute to the exposure of premature infants in the NICU environment. In this study, we monitored the spatial and temporal variations of airborne particulate matter concentrations along with other indoor environmental parameters and human occupancy. The experiments were conducted over one year in a private-style NICU. The NICU was served by a central heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system equipped with an economizer and a high-efficiency particle filtration system. The following parameters were measured continuously during weekdays with 1-min resolution: particles larger than 0.3 μm resolved into 6 size groups, CO2 level, dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity, and presence or absence of occupants. Altogether, over sixteen periods of a few weeks each, measurements were conducted in rooms occupied with premature infants. In parallel, a second monitoring station was operated in a nearby hallway or at the local nurses' station. The monitoring data suggest a strong link between indoor particle concentrations and human occupancy. Detected particle peaks from occupancy were clearly discernible among larger particles and imperceptible for submicron (0.3-1 μm) particles. The mean indoor particle mass concentrations averaged across the size range 0.3-10 μm during occupied periods was 1.9 μg/m(3), approximately 2.5 times the concentration during unoccupied periods (0.8 μg/m(3)). Contributions of within-room emissions to total PM10 mass in the baby rooms averaged 37-81%. Near-room indoor emissions and outdoor sources contributed 18-59% and 1-5%, respectively. Airborne particle levels in the size range 1-10 μm showed strong dependence on human activities, indicating the importance of indoor-generated particles for infant's exposure to airborne particulate matter in the NICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusan Licina
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Seema Bhangar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Brandon Brooks
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Robyn Baker
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Brian Firek
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Xiaochen Tang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Morowitz
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jillian F. Banfield
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - William W. Nazaroff
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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Mohamad N, Latif MT, Khan MF. Source apportionment and health risk assessment of PM10 in a naturally ventilated school in a tropical environment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2016; 124:351-362. [PMID: 26590697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and potential sources of PM10 as well as assess the potential health hazards it posed to school children. PM10 samples were taken from classrooms at a school in Kuala Lumpur's city centre (S1) and one in the suburban city of Putrajaya (S2) over a period of eight hours using a low volume sampler (LVS). The composition of the major ions and trace metals in PM10 were then analysed using ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The results showed that the average PM10 concentration inside the classroom at the city centre school (82µg/m(3)) was higher than that from the suburban school (77µg/m(3)). Principal component analysis-absolute principal component scores (PCA-APCS) revealed that road dust was the major source of indoor PM10 at both school in the city centre (36%) and the suburban location (55%). The total hazard quotient (HQ) calculated, based on the formula suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), was found to be slightly higher than the acceptable level of 1, indicating that inhalation exposure to particle-bound non-carcinogenic metals of PM10, particularly Cr exposure by children and adults occupying the school environment, was far from negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noorlin Mohamad
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; School of Ocean Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Md Firoz Khan
- Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute for Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Oh HJ, Jeong NN, Chi WB, Seo JH, Jun SM, Sohn JR. Characterization of particulate matter concentrations and bioaerosol on each floor at a building in Seoul, Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:16040-50. [PMID: 26062466 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4810-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) in buildings are mostly sourced from the transport of outdoor particles through a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and generation of particle within the building itself. We investigated the concentrations and characteristic of indoor and outdoor particles and airborne bacteria concentrations across four floors of a building located in a high-traffic area. In all the floors we studied (first, second, fifth, and eighth), the average concentrations of particles less than 10 μm (PM10) in winter for were higher than those in summer. On average, a seasonal variation in the PM10 level was found for the first, fifth, and eighth floors, such that higher values occurred in the winter season, compared to the summer season. In addition, in winter, the indoor concentrations of PM10 on the first, fifth, and eighth floors were higher than those of the outdoor PM10. The maximum level of airborne bacteria concentration was found in a fifth floor office, which held a private academy school consisting of many students. Results indicated that the airborne bacteria remained at their highest concentration throughout the weekday period and varied by students' activity. The correlation coefficient (R (2)) and slope of linear approximation for the concentrations of particulate matter were used to evaluate the relationship between the indoor and outdoor particulate matter. These results can be used to predict both the indoor particle levels and the risk of personal exposure to airborne bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon-Ju Oh
- BK21PLUS Program in Embodiment: Health-Society Interaction, Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Na-Na Jeong
- BK21PLUS Program in Embodiment: Health-Society Interaction, Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Bae Chi
- BK21PLUS Program in Embodiment: Health-Society Interaction, Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Seo
- BK21PLUS Program in Embodiment: Health-Society Interaction, Health and Environmental Science, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Moon Jun
- HAE Research Center, LG Electronics Co., Seoul, 153-802, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Ryeul Sohn
- BK21PLUS Program in Embodiment: Health-Society Interaction, Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, Republic of Korea.
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Fischer A, Ljungström E, Hägerhed Engman L, Langer S. Ventilation strategies and indoor particulate matter in a classroom. INDOOR AIR 2015; 25:168-175. [PMID: 24920172 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Particle mass and number concentrations were measured in a mechanically ventilated classroom as part of a study of ventilation strategies for energy conservation. The ventilation system was operated either continuously, intermittently, or shut down during nights while it was on during workdays. It appears that the nighttime ventilation scheme is not important for indoor particle concentrations the following day if fans are operated to give five air exchanges in advance of the workday. The highest concentrations of PM10 were found during and after workdays and were due to human activity in the classroom. The average workday PM10 concentration was 14 μg/m(3) , well below the WHO guideline values. The number concentration of particles with diameter <0.750 μm was typically between 0.5 × 10(3) and 3.5 × 10(3) particle/cm(3) . These concentrations were largely independent of the occupants. Transient formation of small particles was observed when ventilation was shut down. Then remaining ozone reacted with terpenes emitted by indoor sources and gave up to 8 × 10(3) particle/cm(3) before formation stopped due to lack of ozone. The intermittent ventilation regime was found least favorable for the indoor air quality in the classroom.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fischer
- Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
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Li Y, Chen L, Ngoc DM, Duan YP, Lu ZB, Wen ZH, Meng XZ. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in PM2.5, PM10, TSP and gas phase in office environment in Shanghai, China: occurrence and human exposure. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119144. [PMID: 25793925 PMCID: PMC4367993 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate risk via inhalation exposure of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in office environment, thirty-six pairs air samples including PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm), PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm), total suspended particles (TSP) with matching gas phase were collected in office environment in Shanghai, China. The average concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and TSP were 20.4, 27.2 and 50.3 μg/m3, respectively. Σ15PBDEs mean concentrations in PM2.5, PM10, TSP and gas phase were 51.8, 110.7, 148 and 59.6 pg/m3, respectively. Much more PBDEs distributed in fine fractions than coarse ones. PBDEs congener profiles found in PM2.5, PM10 and TSP (dominated by BDE-209) were different from that in gas phase (dominated by the tri- to penta-BDEs). Approximately 3.20 pg/kg/d PM2.5 bound PBDEs can be inhaled into the lung; 3.62 pg/kg/d PM10-PM2.5(particles with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5-10 μm) bound PBDEs tended to be deposited in the upper part of respiratory system, and the intake of PBDEs via gas-phase was 2.74 pg/kg/d. The exposure of PBDEs was far below the minimal risk levels (MRLs), indicating lower risk from PBDEs via inhalation in the studied office in Shanghai.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (YD); (LC)
| | - Duong Minh Ngoc
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Ping Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai fisheries Research Institute, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (YD); (LC)
| | - Zhi-Bo Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Hao Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang-Zhou Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Scheepers PTJ, de Hartog JJ, Reijnaerts J, Beckmann G, Anzion R, Poels K, Godderis L. Influence of combined dust reducing carpet and compact air filtration unit on the indoor air quality of a classroom. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2015; 17:316-325. [PMID: 25380291 DOI: 10.1039/c4em00506f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Primary schools mostly rely on natural ventilation but also have an interest in affordable technology to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). Laboratory tests show promising results for dust reducing carpets and compact air filtration systems but there is no information available on the performance of these interventions in actual operating classrooms. An exploratory study was performed to evaluate a combination of the two systems in a primary school. Measurements of PM-10 and PM-2.5 were performed by filter sampling and aerosol spectrometry. Other IAQ parameters included black smoke (BS), volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde. Both interventions were introduced in one classroom during one week, using another classroom as a reference. In a second week the interventions were moved to the other classroom, using the first as a reference (cross-over design). In three remaining weeks the classrooms were compared without interventions. Indoor IAQ parameters were compared to the corresponding outdoor parameters using the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio. When the classrooms were occupied (teaching hours) interventions resulted in 27-43% reductions of PM-10, PM-2.5 and BS values. During the weekends the systems reduced these levels by 51-87%. Evaluations using the change in I/O ratios gave comparable results. Levels of VOC, NO2 and formaldehyde were rather low and a contribution of the interventions to the improvement of these gas phase IAQ parameters was inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T J Scheepers
- Dept. for Health Evidence, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Chithra VS, Nagendra SMS. Characterizing and predicting coarse and fine particulates in classrooms located close to an urban roadway. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2014; 64:945-956. [PMID: 25185396 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2014.894483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters < 10, < 2.5, and < 1 microm, respectively) concentrations were monitored over a 90-day period in a naturally ventilated school building located at roadside in Chennai City. The 24-hr average PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 concentrations at indoor and outdoor environments were found to be 136 +/- 60, 36 +/- 15, and 20 +/- 12 and 76 +/- 42, 33 +/- 16, and 23 +/- 14 microg/m3, respectively. The size distribution of PM in the classroom indicated that coarse mode was dominant during working hours (08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.), whereas fine mode was dominant during nonworking hours (04:00 p.m. to 08:00 a.m.). The increase in coarser particles coincided with occupant activities in the classrooms and finer particles were correlated with outdoor traffic. Analysis of indoor PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 concentrations monitored at another school, which is located at urban reserved forest area (background site) indicated 3-4 times lower PM10 concentration than the school located at roadside. Also, the indoor PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations were 1.3-1.5 times lower at background site. Further, a mass balance indoor air quality (IAQ) model was modified to predict the indoor PM concentration in the classroom. Results indicated good agreement between the predicted and measured indoor PM2.5 (R2 = 0.72-0.81) and PM1 (R2 = 0.81-0.87) concentrations. But, the measured and predicted PM10 concentrations showed poor correlation (R2 = 0.17-0.23), which may be because the IAQ model could not take into account the sudden increase in PM10 concentration (resuspension of large size particles) due to human activities. Implications: The present study discusses characteristics of the indoor coarse and fine PM concentrations of a naturally ventilated school building located close to an urban roadway and at a background site in Chennai City, India. The study results will be useful to engineers and policymakers to prepare strategies for improving the IAQ inside classrooms. Further, this study may help in the development of IAQ standards and guidelines in India.
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Zaatari M, Siegel J. Particle characterization in retail environments: concentrations, sources, and removal mechanisms. INDOOR AIR 2014; 24:350-361. [PMID: 24354962 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Particles in retail environments can have consequences for the occupational exposures of retail workers and customers, as well as the energy costs associated with ventilation and filtration. Little is known about particle characteristics in retail environments. We measured indoor and outdoor mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 , number concentrations of submicron particles (0.02-1 μm), size-resolved 0.3-10 μm particles, as well as ventilation rates in 14 retail stores during 24 site visits in Pennsylvania and Texas. Overall, the results were generally suggestive of relatively clean environments when compared to investigations of other building types and ambient/occupational regulatory limits. PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations (mean ± s.d.) were 20 ± 14 and 11 ± 10 μg/m(3), respectively, with indoor-to-outdoor ratios of 1.0 ± 0.7 and 0.88 ± 1.0. Mean submicron particle concentrations were 7220 ± 7500 particles/cm(3) with an indoor-to-outdoor ratio of 1.18 ± 1.30. The median contribution to PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations from indoor sources (vs. outdoors) was 83% and 53%, respectively. There were no significant correlations between measured ventilation rates and particle concentrations of any size. When examining options to lower PM2.5 concentrations below regulatory limits, the required changes to ventilation and filtration efficiency were site specific and depended on the indoor and outdoor concentration, emission rate, and infiltration level. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Little is known about particle concentrations, contribution of indoor sources, and emission rates in retail environments. Knowledge of these particle characteristics informs health scientists with input parameters to include in exposure modeling. The predicted concentration change in response to different ventilation rates and filtration efficiencies may be used for guidance to develop control strategies to lower particulate matter concentrations in retail environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zaatari
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Zaatari M, Nirlo E, Jareemit D, Crain N, Srebric J, Siegel J. Ventilation and indoor air quality in retail stores: A critical review (RP-1596). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/10789669.2013.869126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Rovelli S, Cattaneo A, Nuzzi CP, Spinazzè A, Piazza S, Carrer P, Cavallo DM. Airborne particulate matter in school classrooms of northern Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:1398-421. [PMID: 24473114 PMCID: PMC3945545 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110201398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Indoor size-fractioned particulate matter (PM) was measured in seven schools in Milan, to characterize their concentration levels in classrooms, compare the measured concentrations with the recommended guideline values, and provide a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of the intervention measures, based on the guidelines developed by the Italian Ministry of Healthand applied to mitigate exposure to undesirable air pollutants. Indoor sampling was performed from Monday morning to Friday afternoon in three classrooms of each school and was repeated in winter 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. Simultaneously, PM2.5 samples were also collected outdoors. Two different photometers were used to collect the PM continuous data, which were corrected a posteriori using simultaneous gravimetric PM2.5 measurements. Furthermore, the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) were monitored and used to determine the Air Exchange Rates in the classrooms. The results revealed poor IAQ in the school environment. In several cases, the PM2.5 and PM10 24 h concentrations exceeded the 24 h guideline values established by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, the indoor CO2 levels often surpassed the CO2 ASHRAE Standard. Our findings confirmed that important indoor sources (human movements, personal clouds, cleaning activities) emitted coarse particles, markedly increasing the measured PM during school hours. In general, the mean PM2.5 indoor concentrations were lower than the average outdoor PM2.5 levels, with I/O ratios generally <1. Fine PM was less affected by indoor sources, exerting a major impact on the PM1-2.5 fraction. Over half of the indoor fine particles were estimated to originate from outdoors. To a first approximation, the intervention proposed to reduce indoor particle levels did not seem to significantly influence the indoor fine PM concentrations. Conversely, the frequent opening of doors and windows appeared to significantly contribute to the reduction of the average indoor CO2 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Rovelli
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via Vallegio 11, Como 22100, Italy.
| | - Andrea Cattaneo
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via Vallegio 11, Como 22100, Italy.
| | - Camilla P Nuzzi
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via Vallegio 11, Como 22100, Italy.
| | - Andrea Spinazzè
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via Vallegio 11, Como 22100, Italy.
| | - Silvia Piazza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, Milano 20157, Italy.
| | - Paolo Carrer
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, via G.B. Grassi 74, Milano 20157, Italy.
| | - Domenico M Cavallo
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via Vallegio 11, Como 22100, Italy.
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Morawska L, Afshari A, Bae GN, Buonanno G, Chao CYH, Hänninen O, Hofmann W, Isaxon C, Jayaratne ER, Pasanen P, Salthammer T, Waring M, Wierzbicka A. Indoor aerosols: from personal exposure to risk assessment. INDOOR AIR 2013; 23:462-87. [PMID: 23574389 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Motivated by growing considerations of the scale, severity, and risks associated with human exposure to indoor particulate matter, this work reviewed existing literature to: (i) identify state-of-the-art experimental techniques used for personal exposure assessment; (ii) compare exposure levels reported for domestic/school settings in different countries (excluding exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and particulate matter from biomass cooking in developing countries); (iii) assess the contribution of outdoor background vs indoor sources to personal exposure; and (iv) examine scientific understanding of the risks posed by personal exposure to indoor aerosols. Limited studies assessing integrated daily residential exposure to just one particle size fraction, ultrafine particles, show that the contribution of indoor sources ranged from 19% to 76%. This indicates a strong dependence on resident activities, source events and site specificity, and highlights the importance of indoor sources for total personal exposure. Further, it was assessed that 10-30% of the total burden of disease from particulate matter exposure was due to indoor-generated particles, signifying that indoor environments are likely to be a dominant environmental factor affecting human health. However, due to challenges associated with conducting epidemiological assessments, the role of indoor-generated particles has not been fully acknowledged, and improved exposure/risk assessment methods are still needed, together with a serious focus on exposure control.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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67
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Polidori A, Fine PM, White V, Kwon PS. Pilot study of high-performance air filtration for classroom applications. INDOOR AIR 2013; 23:185-195. [PMID: 23137181 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of three air purification systems in reducing the exposure of children to air contaminants inside nine classrooms of three Southern California schools. Continuous and integrated measurements were conducted to monitor the indoor and outdoor concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFPs), fine and coarse particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10 , respectively), black carbon (BC), and volatile organic compounds. An heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)-based high-performance panel filter (HP-PF), a register-based air purifier (RS), and a stand-alone air cleaning system (SA) were tested alone and in different combinations for their ability to remove the monitored pollutants. The combination of a RS and a HP-PF was the most effective solution for lowering the indoor concentrations of BC, UFPs, and PM2.5 , with study average reductions between 87% and 96%. When using the HP-PF alone, reductions close to 90% were also achieved. In all cases, air quality conditions were improved substantially with respect to the corresponding baseline (preexisting) conditions. Data on the performance of the gas-absorbing media included in the RS and SA unit were inconclusive, and their effectiveness, lifetime, costs, and benefits must be further assessed before conclusions and recommendations can be made. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The installation of effective air filtration devices in classrooms may be an important mitigation measure to help reduce the exposure of school children to indoor pollutants of outdoor origin including ultrafine particles and diesel particulate matter, especially at schools located near highly trafficked freeways, refineries, and other important sources of air toxics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Polidori
- Planning and Rules Division, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4178, USA.
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Polednik B. Particulate matter and student exposure in school classrooms in Lublin, Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2013; 120:134-9. [PMID: 23058371 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Revised: 09/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This study reports particle mass (PM) and number (PN) concentrations and student exposure in classrooms in three secondary schools in Lublin, Poland, during the winter (February-March) and summer (May-June) season measurements. The emissions from residential coal combustion and particle generating didactic experiments carried out in the classrooms significantly influenced the particle concentrations. In the winter season the average student exposure to PM and PN was respectively 2.1±0.4 (mean±standard deviation) and 1.5±0.5 times higher than outdoors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Polednik
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, ul. Nadbystrzycka 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland.
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69
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Carbon dioxide (CO2) demand-controlled ventilation in university computer classrooms and possible effects on headache, fatigue and perceived indoor environment: an intervention study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2012; 86:199-209. [PMID: 22422010 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-012-0756-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the effects of a CO(2) demand-controlled ventilation system (variable flow) in computer classrooms on perceived air quality and sick building syndrome. METHODS University students (27% women) participated in a blinded study. Two classrooms had variable flow (mean 5.56 ac/h); two others had constant ventilation flow (mean 5.07 ac/h). After one week, ventilation conditions were shifted. The students reported symptoms/perceptions during the last hour on rating scales. Temperature, air humidity, CO(2), PM10 and number concentration of particles were measured simultaneously. Cat (Fel d 1), dog (Can f 1), horse (Equ cx) and house dust mites (Der f 1 and Der p 1) allergens were measured in dust. Those participating twice in the same classroom (N = 61) were analysed longitudinally. RESULTS Mean CO(2) was 784 ppm (9% of time >1,000 ppm) with variable flow and 809 ppm with constant flow conditions (25% of time >1,000 ppm). Mean temperature (22.6 °C), PM10 (18 μg/m(3)) and number concentration (1,860 pt/cm(3)) were unchanged. The median levels of cat, dog, horse and Der f 1 allergens were 10,400 ng/g, 4,900 ng/g, 13,700 U/ng and 260 ng/g dust, respectively. There were slightly less headache (p = 0.003), tiredness (p = 0.007) and improved perceived air quality (p = 0.02) with variable flow. CONCLUSIONS Use of a CO(2)-controlled ventilation system, reducing elevated levels of CO(2), may slightly reduce headache and tiredness and improve perceived air quality. The high levels of pet allergens, due to track in of allergens from the home and possible accumulation due to electrostatic forces, illustrate a need for improved cleaning.
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Raysoni AU, Sarnat JA, Sarnat SE, Garcia JH, Holguin F, Luèvano SF, Li WW. Binational school-based monitoring of traffic-related air pollutants in El Paso, Texas (USA) and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (México). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:2476-86. [PMID: 21778001 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2011] [Revised: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Paired indoor and outdoor concentrations of fine and coarse particulate matter (PM), PM2.5 reflectance [black carbon(BC)], and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) were determined for sixteen weeks in 2008 at four elementary schools (two in high and two in low traffic density zones) in a U.S.-Mexico border community to aid a binational health effects study. Strong spatial heterogeneity was observed for all outdoor pollutant concentrations. Concentrations of all pollutants, except coarse PM, were higher in high traffic zones than in the respective low traffic zones. Black carbon and NO(2) appear to be better traffic indicators than fine PM. Indoor air pollution was found to be well associated with outdoor air pollution, although differences existed due to uncontrollable factors involving student activities and building/ventilation configurations. Results of this study indicate substantial spatial variability of pollutants in the region, suggesting that children's exposures to these pollutants vary based on the location of their school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit U Raysoni
- Environmental Science and Engineering Ph.D. Program, The University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
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Latif MT, Baharudin NH, Velayutham P, Awang N, Hamdan H, Mohamad R, Mokhtar MB. Composition of heavy metals and airborne fibers in the indoor environment of a building during renovation. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2011; 181:479-489. [PMID: 21181256 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-010-1843-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/06/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The renovation of a building will certainly affect the quality of air in the vicinity of where associated activities were undertaken, this includes the quality of air inside the building. Indoor air pollutants such as particulate matter, heavy metals, and fine fibers are likely to be emitted during renovation work. This study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals, asbestos and suspended particulates in the Biology Building, at the Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia (UKM). Renovation activities were carried out widely in the laboratories which were located in this building. A low-volume sampler was used to collect suspended particulate matter of a diameter size less than 10 μm (PM₁₀) and an air sampling pump, fitted with a cellulose ester membrane filter, were used for asbestos sampling. Dust was collected using a small brush and scope. The concentration of heavy metals was determined through the use of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy and the fibers were counted through a phase contrast microscope. The concentrations of PM₁₀ recorded in the building during renovation action (ranging from 166 to 542 μg m⁻³) were higher than the value set by the Department of Safety and Health for respirable dust (150 μg m⁻³). Additionally, they were higher than the value of PM₁₀ recorded in indoor environments from other studies. The composition of heavy metals in PM₁₀ and indoor dust were found to be dominated by Zn and results also showed that the concentration of heavy metals in indoor dust and PM₁₀ in this study was higher than levels recorded in other similar studies. The asbestos concentration was 0.0038 ± 0.0011 fibers/cc. This was lower than the value set by the Malaysian Department of Occupational, Safety and Health (DOSH) regulations of 0.1 fibers/cc, but higher than the background value usually recorded in indoor environments. This study strongly suggests that renovation issues need to be considered seriously by relevant stakeholders within the university in order to ensure that the associated risks toward humans and indoor environment are eliminated, or where this is not feasible, minimized as far as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Talib Latif
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia.
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Braniš M, Šafránek J. Characterization of coarse particulate matter in school gyms. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2011; 111:485-91. [PMID: 21458792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2011.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Revised: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 03/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the mass concentration, mineral composition and morphology of particles resuspended by children during scheduled physical education in urban, suburban and rural elementary school gyms in Prague (Czech Republic). Cascade impactors were deployed to sample the particulate matter. Two fractions of coarse particulate matter (PM(10-2.5) and PM(2.5-1.0)) were characterized by gravimetry, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. Two indicators of human activity, the number of exercising children and the number of physical education hours, were also recorded. Lower mass concentrations of coarse particulate matter were recorded outdoors (average PM(10-2.5) 4.1-7.4 μg m(-3) and PM(2.5-1.0) 2.0-3.3 μg m(-3)) than indoors (average PM(10-2.5) 13.6-26.7 μg m(-3) and PM(2.5-1.0) 3.7-7.4 μg m(-3)). The indoor concentrations of coarse aerosol were elevated during days with scheduled physical education with an average indoor-outdoor (I/O) ratio of 2.5-16.3 for the PM(10-2.5) and 1.4-4.8 for the PM(2.5-1.0) values. Under extreme conditions, the I/O ratios reached 180 (PM(10-2.5)) and 19.1 (PM(2.5-1.0)). The multiple regression analysis based on the number of students and outdoor coarse PM as independent variables showed that the main predictor of the indoor coarse PM concentrations is the number of students in the gym. The effect of outdoor coarse PM was weak and inconsistent. The regression models for the three schools explained 60-70% of the particular dataset variability. X-ray spectrometry revealed 6 main groups of minerals contributing to resuspended indoor dust. The most abundant particles were those of crustal origin composed of Si, Al, O and Ca. Scanning electron microscopy showed that, in addition to numerous inorganic particles, various types of fibers and particularly skin scales make up the main part of the resuspended dust in the gyms. In conclusion, school gyms were found to be indoor microenvironments with high concentrations of coarse particulate matter, which can contribute to increased short-term inhalation exposure of exercising children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Braniš
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Institute for Environmental Studies, Prague, Czech Republic.
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73
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Braniš M, Safránek J, Hytychová A. Indoor and outdoor sources of size-resolved mass concentration of particulate matter in a school gym-implications for exposure of exercising children. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2011; 18:598-609. [PMID: 20972889 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-010-0405-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It has been noticed many times that schools are buildings with high levels of particulate matter concentrations. Several authors documented that concentrations of particulate matter in indoor school microenvironments exceed limits recommended by WHO namely when school buildings are situated near major roads with high traffic densities. In addition, exercise under conditions of high particulate concentrations may increase the adverse health effects, as the total particle deposition increases in proportion to minute ventilation, and the deposition fraction nearly doubles from rest to intense exercise. SITE AND METHODS Mass concentrations of size-segregated aerosol were measured simultaneously in an elementary school gym and an adjacent outdoor site in the central part of Prague by two pairs of collocated aerosol monitors-a fast responding photometer DusTrak and a five stage cascade impactor. To encompass seasonal and annual differences, 89 days of measurements were performed during ten campaigns between 2005 and 2009. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The average (all campaigns) outdoor concentration of PM(2.5) (28.3 μg m(-3)) measured by the cascade impactors was higher than the indoor value (22.3 μg m(-3)) and the corresponding average from the nearest fixed site monitor (23.6 μg m(-3)). Indoor and outdoor PM(2.5) concentrations exceeded the WHO recommended 24-h limit in 42% and 49% of the days measured, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between corresponding outdoor and indoor aerosol sizes increased with decreasing aerodynamic diameter of the collected particles (r = 0.32-0.87), suggesting a higher infiltration rate of fine and quasi-ultrafine particles. Principal component analysis revealed five factors explaining more than 82% of the data variability. The first two factors reflected a close association between outdoor and indoor fine and quasi-ultrafine particles confirming the hypothesis of high infiltration rate of particles from outdoors. The third factor indicated that human activity is the main source of indoor emission of coarse particles. The fourth factor involved only outdoor variables showing the resuspension of coarse ambient aerosol on dry and warm days without its seeming effect on the indoor coarse PM levels. Having in mind that high concentrations of both fine and coarse aerosol were frequently observed in the studied space, our results suggest that indoor exercise in polluted urbanized areas may increase the overall exposure and thus represent a potential health risk to young individuals during physical education at schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Braniš
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Environmental Studies, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
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Goyal R, Khare M. Indoor air quality modeling for PM 10, PM 2.5, and PM 1.0 in naturally ventilated classrooms of an urban Indian school building. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2011; 176:501-516. [PMID: 20635200 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-010-1600-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2009] [Accepted: 06/27/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms of school buildings is of prime concern due to its potential effects on student's health and performance as they spend a substantial amount of their time (6-7 h per day) in schools. A number of airborne contaminants may be present in urban school environment. However, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) is of great significance as they may significantly affect occupants' health. The objectives of the present study are twofold, one, to measure the concentrations of PM(10) (<10 microm), PM(2.5) (<2.5 microm), and PM(1.0) (<1.0 microm) in naturally ventilated classrooms of a school building located near a heavy-traffic roadway (9,755 and 4,296 vehicles/hour during weekdays and weekends, respectively); and second, to develop single compartment mass balance-based IAQ models for PM(10) (NVIAQM(pm10)), PM(2.5) (NVIAQM(pm2.5)), and PM(1.0) (NVIAQM(pm1.0)) for predicting their indoor concentrations. Outdoor RSPM levels and classroom characteristics, such as size, occupancy level, temperature, relative humidity, and CO(2) concentrations have also been monitored during school hours. Predicted indoor PM(10) concentrations show poor correlations with observed indoor PM(10) concentrations (R (2) = 0.028 for weekdays, and 0.47 for weekends). However, a fair degree of agreement (d) has been found between observed and predicted concentrations, i.e., 0.42 for weekdays and 0.59 for weekends. Furthermore, NVIAQM(pm2.5) and NVIAQM(pm1.0) results show good correlations with observed concentrations of PM(2.5) (R(2) = 0.87 for weekdays and 0.9 for weekends) and PM(1.0) (R(2) = 0.86 for weekdays and 0.87 for weekends). NVIAQM(pm10) shows the tendency to underpredict indoor PM(10) concentrations during weekdays as it does not take into account the occupant's activities and its effects on the indoor concentrations during the class hours. Intense occupant's activities cause resuspension or delayed deposition of PM(10). The model results further suggests conductance of experimental and physical simulation studies on dispersion of particulates indoors to investigate their resuspension and settling behavior due to occupant's activities/movements. The models have been validated at three different classroom locations of the school site. Sensitivity analysis of the models has been performed by varying the values of mixing factor (k) and newly introduced parameter R(c). The results indicate that the change in values of k (0.33 to 1.00) does not significantly affect the model performance. However, change in value of R(c) (0.001 to 0.500) significantly affects the model performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radha Goyal
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India.
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Halek F, Kianpour-Rad M, Kavousirahim A. Seasonal variation in ambient PM mass and number concentrations (case study: Tehran, Iran). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2010; 169:501-507. [PMID: 19876752 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-009-1192-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2009] [Accepted: 10/09/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Tehran, the capital city of Iran, is an important industrial and commercial center. This city is one of the worst cities in the world in terms of air pollution, which is mostly due to mobile sources rather than stationary sources. Particulate matter (PM), which is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets, is considered as an important source of air pollution in Tehran. In this study, our objective was to study PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1.0) mass and number concentrations and find the correlations of these two parameters in the west-central parts of Tehran during two consecutive warm and cold seasons. The particles collected from five stations were analyzed for their mass and number simultaneously by a laser-based Grimm dust monitor. In general, it was found that the accumulation of the PM in this region is more in the cold season. PM(10) mass concentration increases almost twofold and PM(2.5) and PM(1.0) almost three times in this season. The mean number concentration of the particles (0.3-20 microm) was found to be almost 4.8 times in the cold season. It was also noticed that the average dimensions of the particles decrease in that season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Halek
- Environmental Group, Materials and Energy Research Center, P. O. Box 14155-4777, Tehran, Iran.
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76
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Guo H, Morawska L, He C, Zhang YL, Ayoko G, Cao M. Characterization of particle number concentrations and PM2.5 in a school: influence of outdoor air pollution on indoor air. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2010; 17:1268-1278. [PMID: 20195908 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-010-0306-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE The impact of air pollution on school children's health is currently one of the key foci of international and national agencies. Of particular concern are ultrafine particles which are emitted in large quantities, contain large concentrations of toxins and are deposited deeply in the respiratory tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, an intensive sampling campaign of indoor and outdoor airborne particulate matter was carried out in a primary school in February 2006 to investigate indoor and outdoor particle number (PN) and mass concentrations (PM(2.5)), and particle size distribution, and to evaluate the influence of outdoor air pollution on the indoor air. RESULTS For outdoor PN and PM(2.5), early morning and late afternoon peaks were observed on weekdays, which are consistent with traffic rush hours, indicating the predominant effect of vehicular emissions. However, the temporal variations of outdoor PM(2.5) and PN concentrations occasionally showed extremely high peaks, mainly due to human activities such as cigarette smoking and the operation of mower near the sampling site. The indoor PM(2.5) level was mainly affected by the outdoor PM(2.5) (r = 0.68, p < 0.01), whereas the indoor PN concentration had some association with outdoor PN values (r = 0.66, p < 0.01) even though the indoor PN concentration was occasionally influenced by indoor sources, such as cooking, cleaning and floor polishing activities. Correlation analysis indicated that the outdoor PM(2.5) was inversely correlated with the indoor to outdoor PM(2.5) ratio (I/O ratio; r = -0.49, p < 0.01), while the indoor PN had a weak correlation with the I/O ratio for PN (r = 0.34, p < 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The results showed that occupancy did not cause any major changes to the modal structure of particle number and size distribution, even though the I/O ratio was different for different size classes. The I/O curves had a maximum value for particles with diameters of 100-400 nm under both occupied and unoccupied scenarios, whereas no significant difference in I/O ratio for PM(2.5) was observed between occupied and unoccupied conditions. Inspection of the size-resolved I/O ratios in the preschool centre and the classroom suggested that the I/O ratio in the preschool centre was the highest for accumulation mode particles at 600 nm after school hours, whereas the average I/O ratios of both nucleation mode and accumulation mode particles in the classroom were much lower than those of Aitken mode particles. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES The findings obtained in this study are useful for epidemiological studies to estimate the total personal exposure of children, and to develop appropriate control strategies for minimising the adverse health effects on school children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Guo
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Q 4001, Australia
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77
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Richmond-Bryant J, Hahn I, Fortune CR, Rodes CE, Portzer JW, Lee S, Wiener RW, Smith LA, Wheeler M, Seagraves J, Stein M, Eisner AD, Brixey LA, Drake-Richman ZE, Brouwer LH, Ellenson WD, Baldauf R. The Brooklyn traffic real-time ambient pollutant penetration and environmental dispersion (B-TRAPPED) field study methodology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 11:2122-35. [PMID: 20024009 DOI: 10.1039/b907126c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The Brooklyn Traffic Real-Time Ambient Pollutant Penetration and Environmental Dispersion (B-TRAPPED) field study examined indoor and outdoor exposure to traffic-generated air pollution by studying the individual processes of generation of traffic emissions, transport and dispersion of air contaminants along a roadway, and infiltration of the contaminants into a residence. Real-time instrumentation was used to obtain highly resolved time-series concentration profiles for a number of air pollutants. The B-TRAPPED field study was conducted in the residential Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, USA, in May 2005. The neighborhood contained the Gowanus Expressway (Interstate 278), a major arterial road (4(th) Avenue), and residential side streets running perpendicular to the Gowanus Expressway and 4(th) Avenue. Synchronized measurements were obtained inside a test house, just outside the test house façade, and along the urban residential street canyon on which the house was located. A trailer containing Federal Reference Method (FRM) and real-time monitors was located next to the Gowanus Expressway to assess the source. Ultrafine particulate matter (PM), PM(2.5), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO(2)), temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction were monitored. Different sampling schemes were devised to focus on dispersion along the street canyon or infiltration into the test house. Results were obtained for ultrafine PM, PM(2.5), criteria gases, and wind conditions from sampling schemes focused on street canyon dispersion and infiltration. For comparison, the ultrafine PM and PM(2.5) results were compared with an existing data set from the Los Angeles area, and the criteria gas data were compared with measurements from a Vancouver epidemiologic study. Measured ultrafine PM and PM(2.5) concentration levels along the residential urban street canyon and at the test house façade in Sunset Park were demonstrated to be comparable to traffic levels at an arterial road and slightly higher than those in a residential area of Los Angeles. Indoor ultrafine PM levels were roughly 3-10 times lower than outdoor levels, depending on the monitor location. CO, NO(2), and SO(2) levels were shown to be similar to values that produced increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalizations in the Vancouver studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Richmond-Bryant
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, MC B243-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
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78
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Gaidajis G, Angelakoglou K. Indoor air quality in university classrooms and relative environment in terms of mass concentrations of particulate matter. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2009; 44:1227-1232. [PMID: 19847709 DOI: 10.1080/10934520903139936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The mass concentrations of coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter were measured in different classrooms and relevant indoors areas of Democritus University, School of Engineering, Xanthi, with portable aerosol monitoring equipment. Two sampling campaigns were conducted in different seasons. The results indicated that the average concentrations in classrooms ranged from 32-188 microg/m3 and 25-151 microg/m3 for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Concentration levels above 300 microg/m3 were usually recorded, while the PM2.5/PM10 ratio was about 0.8. As expected, PM10 and PM2.5 average concentrations were significantly higher in the open-access meeting place of common use, indicating the significance of student trespassing and occasional smoking in the deterioration of indoors air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Gaidajis
- Department of Production Engineering and Management, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece.
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79
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Differential oxidative stress response in young children and the elderly following exposure to PM(2.5). Environ Health Prev Med 2008; 14:60-6. [PMID: 19568869 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-008-0060-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The mechanism of the adverse health effects of ambient particulate matter on humans has not been well-investigated despite many epidemiologic association studies. Measurement of personal exposure to particulate pollutants and relevant biological effect markers are necessary in order to investigate the mechanism of adverse health effects, particularly in fragile populations considered to be more susceptible to the effects of pollutants. METHODS We measured personal exposure to PM(2.5) and examined oxidative stress using urinary malondialdehyde three times in 51 preschoolers and 38 elderly subjects. A linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate PM(2.5) effects on urinary MDA levels. RESULTS Average personal exposure of the children and elderly to PM(2.5) was 80.5 +/- 29.9 and 20.7 +/- 12.7 mug/m(3), respectively. Mean urinary MDA level in the children and the elderly was 3.6 +/- 1.9 and 4.0 +/- 1.6 mumol/g creatinine. For elderly subjects the PM(2.5) level was significantly associated with urinary MDA after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, passive smoking, day-care facility site, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and medical history (heart disease, hypertension and bronchial asthma). However, there was no significant relationship for children. CONCLUSIONS The elderly were more susceptible than young children to oxidative stress as a result of ambient exposure to PM(2.5). Identification of oxidative stress induced by PM(2.5) explains the mechanism of adverse health effects such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, particularly in the elderly.
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80
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Parker JL, Larson RR, Eskelson E, Wood EM, Veranth JM. Particle size distribution and composition in a mechanically ventilated school building during air pollution episodes. INDOOR AIR 2008; 18:386-93. [PMID: 18647192 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00539.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Particle count-based size distribution and PM(2.5) mass were monitored inside and outside an elementary school in Salt Lake City (UT, USA) during the winter atmospheric inversion season. The site is influenced by urban traffic and the airshed is subject to periods of high PM(2.5) concentration that is mainly submicron ammonium and nitrate. The school building has mechanical ventilation with filtration and variable-volume makeup air. Comparison of the indoor and outdoor particle size distribution on the five cleanest and five most polluted school days during the study showed that the ambient submicron particulate matter (PM) penetrated the building, but indoor concentrations were about one-eighth of outdoor levels. The indoor:outdoor PM(2.5) mass ratio averaged 0.12 and particle number ratio for sizes smaller than 1 microm averaged 0.13. The indoor submicron particle count and indoor PM(2.5) mass increased slightly during pollution episodes but remained well below outdoor levels. When the building was occupied the indoor coarse particle count was much higher than ambient levels. These results contribute to understanding the relationship between ambient monitoring station data and the actual human exposure inside institutional buildings. The study confirms that staying inside a mechanically ventilated building reduces exposure to outdoor submicron particles. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This study supports the premise that remaining inside buildings during particulate matter (PM) pollution episodes reduces exposure to submicron PM. New data on a mechanically ventilated institutional building supplements similar studies made in residences.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Parker
- University of Utah, Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5820, USA
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81
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Norbäck D, Nordström K. An experimental study on effects of increased ventilation flow on students' perception of indoor environment in computer classrooms. INDOOR AIR 2008; 18:293-300. [PMID: 18422569 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00530.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The effects of ventilation in computer classrooms were studied with university students (n = 355) in a blinded study, 31% were women and 3.8% had asthma. Two classrooms had a higher air exchange (4.1-5.2 ac/h); two others had a lower air exchange (2.3-2.6 ac/h). After 1 week, ventilation conditions were shifted. The students reported environmental perceptions during the last hour. Room temperature, RH, CO2, PM10 and ultra-fine particles were measured simultaneously. Mean CO2 was 1185 ppm at lower and 922 ppm at higher air exchange. Mean temperature was 23.2 degrees C at lower and 22.1 degrees C at higher air exchange. After mutual adjustment (temperature, RH, CO2, air exchange), measured temperature was associated with a perception of higher temperature (P < 0.001), lower air movement (P < 0.001), and poorer air quality (P < 0.001). Higher air exchange was associated with a perception of lower temperature (P < 0.001), higher air movement (P = 0.001), and better air quality (P < 0.001). In the longitudinal analysis (n = 83), increased air exchange caused a perception of lower temperature (P = 0.002), higher air movement (P < 0.001), better air quality (P = 0.001), and less odor (P = 0.02). In conclusion, computer classrooms have CO2 levels above 1000 ppm and temperatures above 22 degrees C. Increased ventilation from 7 l/s per person to 10-13 l/s per person can improve thermal comfort and air quality. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Computer classrooms are crowded indoor environments with a high thermal load from both students and computer equipment. It is important to control room temperature either by air conditioning, sun shields, or sufficiently high ventilation flow. A high ventilation flow is also crucial to achieving good perceived air quality. Personal ventilation flow should be at least 10 l/s. Possible loss of learning ability due to poor indoor air quality in university buildings deserves more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Norbäck
- Medical Science-Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Department of Medical Science, University Hospital Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
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82
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Bakke JV, Norbäck D, Wieslander G, Hollund BE, Florvaag E, Haugen EN, Moen BE. Symptoms, complaints, ocular and nasal physiological signs in university staff in relation to indoor environment - temperature and gender interactions. INDOOR AIR 2008; 18:131-143. [PMID: 18312335 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2007.00515.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Symptoms, signs, perceptions, and objective measures were studied in university buildings. Two problem buildings with a history of dampness and complaints were compared with two control buildings. Health investigations among university staff were performed at the workplace (n = 173) including tear film stability [non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) and self-reported break-up time (SBUT)], nasal patency (acoustic rhinometry), nasal lavage fluid analysis [NAL: eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme and albumin] and atopy by total serum IgE and IgE antibodies (Phadiatop). Exposure assessment included inspections, thermal and atmospheric climate at 56 points modelled for all work sites. Multiple regressions were applied, controlling for age and gender. Exposure differences between problem buildings and controls were small, and variations between rooms were greater. Workers in the problem buildings had more general and dermal symptoms, but not more objective signs than the others. Adjusted day NIBUT and SBUT increased at higher night air temperatures, with B (95% CI) 0.6 (0.04-1.2) and 1.3 (-0.02 to 2.5), respectively. Higher relative humidity at mean day air temperature <22.1 degrees C was associated with adjusted NIBUT and SBUT, with B (95% CI) 0.16 (0.03-0.29) and 0.37 (-0.01 to 0.75), respectively. Air velocity below recommended winter values and reduced relative humidity in the range of 15-30% were associated with dry air and too low temperature. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Thermal climate in university buildings may be associated with both perceptions and physiological signs. Reduced night time air temperature, increased difference in air temperature between day and night, and fast changes in air temperature might impair indoor environment. This may have implication for energy-saving policies. It might be difficult to identify the exposure behind, and find the reason why, some buildings are defined as 'problem buildings'.
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Affiliation(s)
- J V Bakke
- Section for Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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83
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Weichenthal S, Dufresne A, Infante-Rivard C, Joseph L. Characterizing and predicting ultrafine particle counts in Canadian classrooms during the winter months: model development and evaluation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2008; 106:349-60. [PMID: 17919560 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2007.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Revised: 08/08/2007] [Accepted: 08/22/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
School classrooms are potentially important micro-environments for childhood exposures owing to the large amount of time children spend in these locations. While a number of airborne contaminants may be present in schools, to date few studies have examined ultrafine particle (0.02-1 microm) (UFP) levels in classrooms. In this study, our objective was to characterize UFP counts (cm(-3)) in classrooms during the winter months and to develop a model to predict such exposures based on ambient weather conditions and outdoor UFPs, as well as classroom characteristics such as size, temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. In total, UFP count data were collected on 60 occasions in 37 occupied classrooms at one elementary school and one secondary school in Pembroke, Ontario. On average, outdoor UFP levels exceeded indoor measures by 8989 cm(-3) (95% confidence interval (CI): 6382, 11596), and classroom UFP counts were similar at both schools with a combined average of 5017 cm(-3) (95% CI: 4300, 5734). Of the variables examined only wind speed and outdoor UFPs were important determinants of classrooms UFP levels. Specifically, each 10 km/h increase in wind speed corresponded to an 1873 cm(-3) (95% CI: 825, 2920) decrease in classroom UFP counts, and each 10000 cm(-3) increase in outdoor UFPs corresponded to a 1550 cm(-3) (95% CI: 930, 2171) increase in classroom UFP levels. However, high correlations between these two predictors meant that the independent effects of wind speed and outdoor UFPs could not be separated in multivariable models, and only outdoor UFP counts were included in the final predictive model. To evaluate model performance, classroom UFP counts were collected for 8 days at two new schools and compared to predicted values based on outdoor UFP measures. A moderate correlation was observed between measured and predicted classroom UFP counts (r=0.63) for both schools combined, but this relationship was not valid on days in which a strong indoor UFP source (electric kitchen stove) was active in schools. In general, our findings suggest that reasonable estimates of classroom UFP counts may be obtained from outdoor UFP data but that the accuracy of such estimates are limited in the presence of indoor UFP sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Weichenthal
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1130 Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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84
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Norbäck D, Nordström K. Sick building syndrome in relation to air exchange rate, CO(2), room temperature and relative air humidity in university computer classrooms: an experimental study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2008; 82:21-30. [PMID: 18246367 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-008-0301-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2007] [Accepted: 01/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of ventilation and temperature changes in computer classrooms on symptoms in students. METHODS Technical university students participated in a blinded study. Two classrooms had higher air exchange (4.1-5.2 ac/h); two others had lower (2.3-2.6 ac/h) air exchange. After 1 week, ventilation conditions were interchanged between the rooms. The students reported symptoms during the last hour, on a seven-step rating scale. Room temperature, relative air humidity (RH) carbon dioxide (CO(2)), PM10 and ultra-fine particles (UFP) were measured simultaneously (1 h). Illumination, air velocity, operative temperature, supply air temperature, formaldehyde, NO(2) and O(3) were measured. Multiple logistic regression was applied in cross-sectional analysis of the first answer (N = 355). Those participating twice (N = 121) were analysed longitudinally. RESULTS Totally 31% were females, 2.9% smokers and 3.8% had asthma. Mean CO(2) was 993 ppm (674-1,450 ppm), temperature 22.7 degrees C (20-25 degrees C) and RH 24% (19-35%). Lower and higher air exchange rates corresponded to a personal outdoor airflow of 7 l/s*p and 10-13 L/s*P, respectively. Mean PM10 was 20 microg/m(3) at lower and 15 microg/m(3) at higher ventilation flow. Ocular, nasal and throat symptoms, breathlessness, headache and tiredness were significantly more common at higher CO(2) and temperature. After mutual adjustment, ocular (OR = 1.52 per 1 degrees C), nasal (OR = 1.62 per 1 degrees C) and throat symptoms (OR = 1.53 per 1 degrees C), headache (OR = 1.51 per 1 degrees C) and tiredness (OR = 1.54 per 1 degrees C) were significantly associated with temperature; headache was associated only with CO(2) (OR = 1.19 per 100 ppm CO(2)). Longitudinal analysis demonstrated that increased room temperature was related to tiredness (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Computer classrooms may have CO(2) above 1,000 ppm and temperatures above 22 degrees C. Increased temperature and CO(2) may affect mucosal membrane symptoms, headaches and tiredness. Room temperature was most important. CO(2) associations may partly be temperature effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
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85
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Diapouli E, Chaloulakou A, Mihalopoulos N, Spyrellis N. Indoor and outdoor PM mass and number concentrations at schools in the Athens area. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2008; 136:13-20. [PMID: 17458512 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-007-9724-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2005] [Revised: 10/09/2006] [Accepted: 10/31/2006] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous indoor and outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentration measurements were conducted in seven primary schools in the Athens area. Both gravimetric samplers and continuous monitors were used. Filters were subsequently analyzed for anion species. Moreover ultrafine particles number concentration was monitored continuously indoors and outdoors. Mean 8-hr PM10 concentration was measured equal to 229 +/- 182 microg/m3 indoors and 166 +/- 133 microg/m3 outdoors. The respective PM2.5 concentrations were 82 +/- 56 microg/m3 indoors and 56 +/- 26 microg/m3 outdoors. Ultrafine particles 8-h mean number concentration was measured equal to 24,000 +/- 17,900 particles/cm3 indoors and 32,000 +/- 14,200 particles/cm3 outdoors. PM10 outdoor concentrations exhibited a greater spatial variability than the corresponding PM2.5 ones. I/O ratios were close or above 1.00 for PM10 and PM2.5 and smaller than 1.00 for ultrafine particles. Very high I/O ratios were observed when intense activities took place. The initial results of the chemical analysis showed that SO4(-2) accounts for the 6.6 +/- 3.5% of the PM10 and NO3(1) for the 3.1 +/- 1.4%.The corresponding results for PM2.5 are 12.0 +/- 7.7% for SO4(-2) and 3.1 +/- 1.9% for NO3-. PM2.5 SO4(-2) indoor concentrations were highly correlated with outdoor ones and the regression line had the largest slope and a very low intercept, indicative of no indoor sources of fine particulate SO4(-2). The results of the statistical analysis of indoor and outdoor concentration data support the use of SO4(-2) as a proper surrogate for indoor PM of outdoor origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Diapouli
- School of Chemical Engineering, NTUA-Zographos Campus, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Street, Athens 15773, Greece
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86
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Johannesson S, Gustafson P, Molnár P, Barregard L, Sällsten G. Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5 and PM1) and black smoke in the general population: personal, indoor, and outdoor levels. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2007; 17:613-24. [PMID: 17440486 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jes.7500562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Personal exposure to PM(2.5) and PM(1), together with indoor and residential outdoor levels, was measured in the general adult population (30 subjects, 23-51 years of age) of Gothenburg, Sweden. Simultaneously, urban background concentrations of PM(2.5) were monitored with an EPA WINS impactor. The 24-h samples were gravimetrically analyzed for mass concentration and black smoke (BS) using a smokestain reflectometer. Median levels of PM(2.5) were 8.4 microg/m(3) (personal), 8.6 microg/m(3) (indoor), 6.4 microg/m(3) (residential outdoor), and 5.6 microg/m(3) (urban background). Personal exposure to PM(1) was 5.4 microg/m(3), while PM(1) indoor and outdoor levels were 6.2 and 5.2 microg/m(3), respectively. In non-smokers, personal exposure to PM(2.5) was significantly higher than were residential outdoor levels. BS absorption coefficients were fairly similar for all microenvironments (0.4-0.5 10(-5) m(-1)). Personal exposure to particulate matter (PM) and BS was well correlated with indoor levels, and there was an acceptable agreement between personal exposure and urban background concentrations for PM(2.5) and BS(2.5) (r(s)=0.61 and 0.65, respectively). PM(1) made up a considerable amount (70-80%) of PM(2.5) in all microenvironments. Levels of BS were higher outdoors than indoors and higher during the fall compared with spring. The correlations between particle mass and BS for both PM(2.5) vs. BS(2.5) and PM(1) versus BS(1) were weak for all microenvironments including personal exposure. The urban background station provided a good estimate of residential outdoor levels of PM(2.5) and BS(2.5) within the city (r(s)=0.90 and 0.77, respectively). Outdoor levels were considerably affected by long-range transported air pollution, which was not found for personal exposure or indoor levels. The within-individual (day-to-day) variability dominated for personal exposure to both PM(2.5) and BS(2.5) in non-smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Johannesson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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87
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Molnár P, Bellander T, Sällsten G, Boman J. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM2.5 trace elements at homes, preschools and schools in Stockholm, Sweden. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 9:348-57. [PMID: 17410309 DOI: 10.1039/b616858b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fine particles (PM2.5) were sampled indoors and outdoors at 40 sampling sites; in ten classrooms in five schools, at ten preschools and 20 non-smoking homes, in three communities in Stockholm, Sweden, during nine 2-week periods. Each sampling site was sampled twice, once during winter and once during spring. The samples were analysed for elemental concentrations using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. In all locations significantly higher outdoor concentrations were found for elements that are related to long-range transported air masses (S, Ni, Br and Pb), while only Ti was higher indoors in all locations. Similar differences for S, Br and Pb were found in both seasons for homes and schools. In preschools different seasonal patterns were seen for the long-range transported elements S, Br and Pb and the crustal elements Ti, Mn and Fe. The indoor/outdoor ratios for S and Pb suggest an outdoor PM2.5 particle net infiltration of about 0.6 in these buildings. The community located 25 km from the city centre had significantly lower outdoor concentrations of elements of crustal or traffic origin compared with the two central communities, but had similar levels of long-range transported elements. Significant correlations were found between PM2.5 and most elements outdoors (rs = 0.45-0.90). Copper levels were found to correlate well (rs = 0.64-0.91) to the traffic marker NO2 during both winter and spring in all locations. Copper may be a suitable elemental marker for traffic-related aerosols in health studies in areas without other significant outdoor Cu sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Molnár
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy at Göteborg University, P.O. Box 414, S-405 30, Goteborg, Sweden.
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