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Galvao ES, Reis Junior NC, Goulart EV, Kumar P, Santos JM. Refining Children's exposure assessment to NO 2, SO 2, and O 3: Incorporating indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios and individual daily routine. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143155. [PMID: 39181467 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to air pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ozone (O3) is associated with adverse health effects, particularly with exacerbations of asthma symptoms and new asthma cases in both children and adults. While fixed-site monitoring (FSM) stations are commonly used in air pollutant exposure studies, they may not fully capture personal exposures due to limitations such as inadequate consideration of daily routines and indoor/outdoor concentration variations. In this study, to enhance the accuracy of personal exposure calculated by using FSM data, individual's daily activity routine, encompassing both indoor and outdoor environments, were incorporated by using indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios. Three methodologies were compared to assess the accuracy of exposure calculations: (i) direct exposure determination employing passive samplers (PS), (ii) personal exposure calculated using FSM data alone, and (iii) personal exposure calculated using FSM data refined by integrating local average individual daily activity routines and indoor-to-outdoor ratios. The results demonstrate that the refined method (iii) yields substantial improvements in estimated exposure levels, reducing the average error from 1.4% to 0.4% for NO2, from 72.1% to 12.7% for SO2, and from 323.4% to 24.9% for O3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elson Silva Galvao
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, ES, Brazil.
| | | | - Elisa Valentim Goulart
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, ES, Brazil
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom; Institute for Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Meri Santos
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, ES, Brazil
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2
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Moradpour Z, Khavanin A, Abdolmaleki P, Hajipour-Verdom B, Mola SJ, Hamidi M, Zendehdel R. Cell toxicity assessment in co-treatment to metalworking fluids and vibration: an in vitro study of occupational exposure setting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:2766-2775. [PMID: 37952631 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2272703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to study dual risk of MWFs and vibration according to exposure simulation of selected industry. Air samples of two types MWFs were evaluated according to NIOSH 5026. Vibration acceleration exposure was assessed based on the ISO 8041:2005 standard. Cell treatment of both MWF air samples and vibration as the same as dual exposure to MWF airborne and vibration was assessed. There is a potency of nitrosamine formation in airborne samples of ethylamine containing MWF, while heterocyclic including bore is found in airborne bore containing MWF. DNA breaks caused by boron-containing MWF were higher than nitrosamine air samples. Oxidative stress production and chronic inflammation were highlighted in the response to cell treatments. The risk of cell toxicity in machining workers was evaluated at a level lower than the occupational exposure limit for MWFs and vibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Moradpour
- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Khavanin
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Abdolmaleki
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnam Hajipour-Verdom
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Javad Mola
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoureh Hamidi
- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rezvan Zendehdel
- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Mohammedamin JK, Shekha YA. Indoor sulfur dioxide prediction through air quality modeling and assessment of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels in industrial and non-industrial areas. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:463. [PMID: 38642156 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12607-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured indoors and outdoors using passive samplers in Tymar village (20 homes), an industrial area, and Haji Wsu (15 homes), a non-industrial region, in the summer and the winter seasons. In comparison to Haji Wsu village, the results showed that Tymar village had higher and more significant mean SO2 and NO2 concentrations indoors and outdoors throughout both the summer and winter seasons. The mean outdoor concentration of SO2 was the highest in summer, while the mean indoor NO2 concentration was the highest in winter in both areas. The ratio of NO2 indoors to outdoors was larger than one throughout the winter at both sites. Additionally, the performance of machine learning (ML) approaches: multiple linear regression (MLR), artificial neural network (ANN), and random forest (RF) were compared in predicting indoor SO2 concentrations in both the industrial and non-industrial areas. Factor analysis (FA) was conducted on different indoor and outdoor meteorological and air quality parameters, and the resulting factors were employed as inputs to train the models. Cross-validation was applied to ensure reliable and robust model evaluation. RF showed the best predictive ability in the prediction of indoor SO2 for the training set (RMSE = 2.108, MAE = 1.780, and R2 = 0.956) and for the unseen test set (RMSE = 4.469, MAE = 3.728, and R2 = 0.779) values compared to other studied models. As a result, it was observed that the RF model could successfully approach the nonlinear relationship between indoor SO2 and input parameters and provide valuable insights to reduce exposure to this harmful pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal Kamal Mohammedamin
- Environmental Science and Health Department, College of Science, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Iraq.
| | - Yahya Ahmed Shekha
- Environmental Science and Health Department, College of Science, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Iraq
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4
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Hettiarachchi E, Grassian VH. Heterogeneous Reactions of Phenol on Different Components of Mineral Dust Aerosol: Formation of Oxidized Organic and Nitro-Phenolic Compounds. ACS ES&T AIR 2024; 1:259-272. [PMID: 38633204 PMCID: PMC11019555 DOI: 10.1021/acsestair.3c00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Phenol, a common semi-volatile compound associated with different emissions including from plants and biomass burning, as well as anthropogenic emissions and its derivatives, are important components of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Gas and aqueous phase reactions of phenol, in the presence of photochemical drivers, are fairly well understood. However, despite observations showing aromatic content within SOA size and mass increases during dust episodes, the heterogeneous reactions of phenol with mineral dusts are poorly understood. In the current study, surface reactions of phenol at the gas/solid interface with different components of mineral dust including SiO2, α-Fe2O3, and TiO2 have been investigated. Whereas reversible surface adsorption of phenol occurs on SiO2 surfaces, for both α-Fe2O3 and TiO2 surfaces, phenol reacts to form a wide range of OH substituted aromatic products. For α-Fe2O3 surfaces that have been nitrated by gas-phase reactions of nitric acid prior to exposure to phenol, unique compounds form on the surface including nitro-phenolic compounds. Moreover, additional surface chemistry was observed when adsorbed nitro-phenolic products were exposed to gas-phase SO2 as a result of the formation of adsorbed nitrite from nitrate redox chemistry with adsorbed SO2. Overall, this study reveals the extensive chemistry as well as the complexity of reactions of prevalent organic compounds leading to the formation of SOA on mineral surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshani Hettiarachchi
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Vicki H. Grassian
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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5
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Hettiarachchi E, Grassian VH. Heterogeneous Formation of Organonitrates (ON) and Nitroxy-Organosulfates (NOS) from Adsorbed α-Pinene-Derived Organosulfates (OS) on Mineral Surfaces. ACS EARTH & SPACE CHEMISTRY 2022; 6:3017-3030. [PMID: 36561194 PMCID: PMC9762235 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Organonitrates (ON) and nitroxy-organosulfates (NOS) are important components of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Gas-phase reactions of α-pinene (C10H16), a primary precursor for several ON compounds, are fairly well understood although formation pathways for NOS largely remain unknown. NOS formation may occur via reactions of ON and organic peroxides with sulfates as well as through radical-initiated photochemical processes. Despite the fact that organosulfates (OS) represent a significant portion of the organic aerosol mass, ON and NOS formation from OS is less understood, especially through nighttime heterogeneous and multiphase chemistry pathways. In the current study, surface reactions of adsorbed α-pinene-derived OS with nitrogen oxides on hematite and kaolinite surfaces, common components of mineral dust, have been investigated. α-Pinene reacts with sulfated mineral surfaces, forming a range of OS compounds on the surface. These OS compounds when adsorbed on mineral surfaces can further react with HNO3 and NO2, producing several ON and NOS compounds as well as several oxidation products. Overall, this study reveals the complexity of reactions of prevalent organic compounds leading to the formation of OS, ON, and NOS via heterogeneous and multiphase reaction pathways on mineral surfaces. It is also shown that this chemistry is mineralogy-specific.
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Bhat MA, Eraslan FN, Awad A, Malkoç S, Üzmez ÖÖ, Döğeroğlu T, Gaga EO. Investigation of indoor and outdoor air quality in a university campus during COVID-19 lock down period. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 219:109176. [PMID: 35599669 PMCID: PMC9116033 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic of COVID-19 currently shadows the world; the whole earth has been on an unprecedented lockdown. Social distancing among people interrupted domestic and international air traffic, suspended industrial productions and economic activities, and had various far-reaching and undetermined implications on air quality. Improvement in air quality has been reported in many cities during the lockdown. On March 22, 2020, the Turkish government enforced strict lockdown measures to reduce coronavirus disease transmission. This lockdown had a significant impact on the movement of people within the country, which resulted in a major drop in worldwide commercial activities. During this period, university campuses were emptied due to the transition to distance education. In this study, various air pollutants sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), total bacteria, and total fungi were measured in different indoor environments at Eskişehir Technical University Campus in Eskişehir, Turkey during COVID-19 lock down period. Also, to calculate the indoor and outdoor ratios (I/O) of the pollutants, simultaneous outdoor measurements were also carried out. The average indoor SO2, NO2, O3, and PM2.5 concentrations in different indoor environments ranged between 2.10 and 54.58, 1.36-30.89, 12.01-39.05, and 21-94 μg/m3, respectively. The total number of bacteria and fungi ranged between 21.83-514.15 and 13.10-83.36 CFU/m3, respectively. Our study intends to give a glimpse to quantify the impact of a pandemic on air quality in different indoor environments in a university campus in Eskişehir, Turkey and calls for follow-up studies. Indoor concentrations were evaluated together with outdoor concentrations. In general, it can be said that the calculated I/O ratios for SO2, NO2, O3, bacteria, and fungi were less than 1 in most indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Ahmad Bhat
- Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Fatma Nur Eraslan
- Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Alaa Awad
- Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Semra Malkoç
- Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
- Eskişehir Technical University, Environmental Research Center (ÇEVMER), 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Özlem Özden Üzmez
- Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Tuncay Döğeroğlu
- Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Eftade O Gaga
- Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
- Eskişehir Technical University, Environmental Research Center (ÇEVMER), 26555, Eskişehir, Turkey
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7
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Hettiarachchi E, Grassian VH. Heterogeneous Reactions of α-Pinene on Mineral Surfaces: Formation of Organonitrates and α-Pinene Oxidation Products. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:4068-4079. [PMID: 35709385 PMCID: PMC9251774 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c02663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Organonitrates (ON) are important components of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). α-Pinene (C10H16), the most abundant monoterpene in the troposphere, is a precursor for the formation of several of these compounds. ON from α-pinene can be produced in the gas phase via photochemical processes and/or following reactions with oxidizers including hydroxyl radical and ozone. Gas-phase nitrogen oxides (NO2, NO3) are N sources for ON formation. Although gas-phase reactions of α-pinene that yield ON are fairly well understood, little is known about their formation through heterogeneous and multiphase pathways. In the current study, surface reactions of α-pinene with nitrogen oxides on hematite (α-Fe2O3) and kaolinite (SiO2Al2O3(OH)4) surfaces, common components of mineral dust, have been investigated. α-Pinene oxidizes upon adsorption on kaolinite, forming pinonaldehyde, which then dimerizes on the surface. Furthermore, α-pinene is shown to react with adsorbed nitrate species on these mineral surfaces producing multiple ON and other oxidation products. Additionally, gas-phase oxidation products of α-pinene on mineral surfaces are shown to more strongly adsorb on the surface compared to α-pinene. Overall, this study reveals the complexity of reactions of prevalent organic compounds such as α-pinene with adsorbed nitrate and nitrogen dioxide, revealing new heterogeneous reaction pathways for SOA formation that is mineralogy specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshani Hettiarachchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Vicki H Grassian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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8
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Nazaroff WW, Weschler CJ. Indoor ozone: Concentrations and influencing factors. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12942. [PMID: 34609012 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Because people spend most of their time indoors, much of their exposure to ozone occurs in buildings, which are partially protective against outdoor ozone. Measurements in approximately 2000 indoor environments (residences, schools, and offices) show a central tendency for average indoor ozone concentration of 4-6 ppb and an indoor to outdoor concentration ratio of about 25%. Considerable variability in this ratio exists among buildings, as influenced by seven building-associated factors: ozone removal in mechanical ventilation systems, ozone penetration through the building envelope, air-change rates, ozone loss rate on fixed indoor surfaces, ozone loss rate on human occupants, ozone loss by homogeneous reaction with nitrogen oxides, and ozone loss by reaction with gas-phase organics. Among these, the most important are air-change rates, ozone loss rate on fixed indoor surfaces, and, in densely occupied spaces, ozone loss rate on human occupants. Although most indoor ozone originates outdoors and enters with ventilation air, indoor emission sources can materially increase indoor ozone concentrations. Mitigation technologies to reduce indoor ozone concentrations are available or are being investigated. The most mature of these technologies, activated carbon filtration of mechanical ventilation supply air, shows a high modeled health-benefit to cost ratio when applied in densely occupied spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- William W Nazaroff
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Charles J Weschler
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
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9
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de Ferreyro Monticelli D, Santos JM, Goulart EV, Mill JG, Kumar P, Reis NC. A review on the role of dispersion and receptor models in asthma research. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117529. [PMID: 34186501 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
There is substantial evidence that air pollution exposure is associated with asthma prevalence that affects millions of people worldwide. Air pollutant exposure can be determined using dispersion models and refined with receptor models. Dispersion models offer the advantage of giving spatially distributed outdoor pollutants concentration while the receptor models offer the source apportionment of specific chemical species. However, the use of dispersion and/or receptor models in asthma research requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving experts on air quality and respiratory diseases. Here, we provide a literature review on the role of dispersion and receptor models in air pollution and asthma research, their limitations, gaps and the way forward. We found that the methodologies used to incorporate atmospheric dispersion and receptor models in human health studies may vary considerably, and several of the studies overlook features such as indoor air pollution, model validation and subject pathway between indoor spaces. Studies also show contrasting results of relative risk or odds ratio for a health outcome, even using similar methodologies. Dispersion models are mostly used to estimate air pollution levels outside the subject's home, school or workplace; however, very few studies addressed the subject's routines or indoor/outdoor relationships. Conversely, receptor models are employed in regions where asthma incidence/prevalence is high or where a dispersion model has been previously used for this assessment. Road traffic (vehicle exhaust) and NOx are found to be the most targeted source and pollutant, respectively. Other key findings were the absence of a standard indicator, shortage of studies addressing VOC and UFP, and the shift toward chemical speciation of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davi de Ferreyro Monticelli
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Jane Meri Santos
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil.
| | - Elisa Valentim Goulart
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - José Geraldo Mill
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Neyval Costa Reis
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brazil
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10
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Challenges of a Healthy Built Environment: Air Pollution in Construction Industry. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su131810469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution is a global concern, especially in cities and urban areas, and has many implications for human health and for the environment. In common with other industrial sectors, the construction industry emits air pollutants. In scientific literature, the contribution the construction industry makes to air pollution is underexposed. This systematic literature review (SLR) paper gives an overview of the current literature regarding air pollution within the construction industry. Air pollution is discussed focusing mainly on three levels: (i) buildings and their building life cycle stages, (ii) construction processes and components, and (iii) building material and interior. The final sample of the SLR comprises 161 scientific articles addressing different aspects of the construction industry. The results show that most articles address the use stage of a building. Particulate matter in different sizes is the most frequently examined air pollutant within the SLR. Moreover, about a third of the articles refer to indoor air pollution, which shows the relevance of the topic. The construction industry can help to develop a healthier built environment and support the achievement of cleaner air within various life cycle stages, e.g., with optimized construction processes and healthier materials. International agreements and policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can support the sustainable development of the construction industry.
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11
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Sérafin G, Blondeau P, Mandin C. Indoor air pollutant health prioritization in office buildings. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:646-659. [PMID: 33346391 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This work presents an original method to identify priority indoor air pollutants in office buildings. It uses both a chronic risk assessment approach by calculating a hazard quotient, and a hazard classification method based on carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic, and endocrine disruptive effects. A graphical representation of the results provides a comprehensive and concise visualization of all of the information, including the number of buildings where each substance was measured, an indicator of exposure data robustness. Seventy-one out of 342 substances (20%) for which indoor air concentrations have already been measured in office buildings were identified as priority pollutants. The results were compared to previous prioritization studies in various types of indoor environments to assess the reliability of the method and highlight its advantages. Sensitivity analyses were performed to reduce the geographical scope (OECD countries only), time scope (after 2010 only), and measurement duration (working hours only) and showed little influence on the results. Finally, 123 additional substances that could be present in office indoor air but could not be assessed due to the lack of measurement data are proposed for future monitoring surveys to update the prioritization of indoor air pollutants in offices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Corinne Mandin
- Scientific and Technical Centre for Building (CSTB), Observatory of Indoor Air Quality (OQAI), Paris Est University, Paris, France
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12
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Che W, Li ATY, Frey HC, Tang KTJ, Sun L, Wei P, Hossain MS, Hohenberger TL, Leung KW, Lau AKH. Factors affecting variability in gaseous and particle microenvironmental air pollutant concentrations in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:170-187. [PMID: 32731301 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
School-age children are particularly susceptible to exposure to air pollutants. To quantify factors affecting children's exposure at school, indoor and outdoor microenvironmental air pollutant concentrations were measured at 32 selected primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. Real-time PM10 , PM2.5 , NO2, and O3 concentrations were measured in 76 classrooms and 23 non-classrooms. Potential explanatory factors related to building characteristics, ventilation practice, and occupant activities were measured or recorded. Their relationship with indoor measured concentrations was examined using mixed linear regression models. Ten factors were significantly associated with indoor microenvironmental concentrations, together accounting for 74%, 61%, 46%, and 38% of variations observed for PM2.5 , PM10 , O3, and NO2 microenvironmental concentrations, respectively. Outdoor concentration is the single largest predictor for indoor concentrations. Infiltrated outdoor air pollution contributes to 90%, 70%, 75%, and 50% of PM2.5 , PM10 , O3, and NO2 microenvironmental concentrations, respectively, in classrooms during school hours. Interventions to reduce indoor microenvironmental concentrations can be prioritized in reducing ambient air pollution and infiltration of outdoor pollution. Infiltration factors derived from linear regression models provide useful information on outdoor infiltration and help address the gap in generalizable parameter values that can be used to predict school microenvironmental concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwei Che
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alison T Y Li
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Henry Christopher Frey
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly Tasha Jiayi Tang
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Sun
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Peng Wei
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Md Shakhaoat Hossain
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tilman Leo Hohenberger
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - King Wai Leung
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alexis K H Lau
- Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Institute for the Environment, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong, China
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13
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Characterization of outdoor air pollution from solid fuel combustion in Xuanwei and Fuyuan, a rural region of China. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11335. [PMID: 32647370 PMCID: PMC7347641 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68229-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Outdoor air pollution is a growing public health concern, particularly in urban settings. However, there are limited epidemiological data on outdoor air pollution in rural areas with substantial levels of air pollution attributed to solid fuel burning for household cooking and heating. Xuanwei and Fuyuan are rural counties in China where the domestic combustion of locally sourced bituminous (“smoky”) coal has been associated with the highest lung cancer rates in China. We previously assessed indoor and personal air pollution exposures in this area; however, the influence of indoor coal combustion and household ventilation on outdoor air pollution has not been assessed. Therefore, we measured outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), species of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including naphthalene (NAP) and the known carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over two consecutive 24-h sampling periods in 29 villages. Just over half of the villages were revisited two to nine months after the initial sampling period to repeat all measurements. The overall geometric mean (GM) of outdoor PM2.5, BaP, NAP, and NO2 were 45.3 µg/m3, 9.7 ng/m3, 707.7 ng/m3, and 91.5 µg/m3, respectively. Using linear mixed effects models, we found that burning smoky coal was associated with higher outdoor BaP concentrations [GM ratio (GMR) = 2.79] and lower outdoor SO2 detection rates (GMR = 0.43), compared to areas burning smokeless coal. Areas with predominantly ventilated stoves (> 50% of stoves) had higher outdoor BaP (GMR = 1.49) compared to areas with fewer ventilated stoves. These results show that outdoor air pollution in a rural region of China was associated with the type of coal used for cooking and heating indoors and the presence of stove ventilation. Our findings suggest that efforts of household stove improvement to reduce indoor air pollution have resulted in higher outdoor air pollution levels. Further reducing adverse health effects in rural villages from household coal combustion will require the use of cleaner fuel types.
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Ha S, Nobles C, Kanner J, Sherman S, Cho SH, Perkins N, Williams A, Grobman W, Biggio J, Subramaniam A, Ouidir M, Chen Z, Mendola P. Air Pollution Exposure Monitoring among Pregnant Women with and without Asthma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134888. [PMID: 32645870 PMCID: PMC7369909 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: We monitored exposure to fine particulates (PM2.5), ozone, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ambient temperature for pregnant women with and without asthma. Methods: Women (n = 40) from the Breathe—Well-Being, Environment, Lifestyle, and Lung Function Study (2015–2018) were enrolled during pregnancy and monitored for 2–4 days. Daily pollutants were measured using personal air monitors, indoor air monitors, and nearest Environmental Protection Agency’s stationary monitors based on GPS tracking and home address. Results: Personal-monitor measurements of PM2.5, ozone, and NO2 did not vary by asthma status but exposure profiles significantly differed by assessment methods. EPA stationary monitor-based methods appeared to underestimate PM2.5 and temperature exposure and overestimate ozone and NO2 exposure. Higher indoor-monitored PM2.5 exposures were associated with smoking and the use of gas appliances. The proportion of waking-time during which personal monitors were worn was ~56%. Lower compliance was associated with exercise, smoking, being around a smoker, and the use of a prescription drug. Conclusions: Exposure did not vary by asthma status but was influenced by daily activities and assessment methods. Personal monitors may better capture exposures but non-compliance merits attention. Meanwhile, larger monitoring studies are warranted to further understand exposure profiles and the health effects of air pollution during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandie Ha
- Department of Public Health, Health Sciences Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-209-228-3615
| | - Carrie Nobles
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.N.); (J.K.); (N.P.); (M.O.); (Z.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Jenna Kanner
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.N.); (J.K.); (N.P.); (M.O.); (Z.C.); (P.M.)
| | | | - Seung-Hyun Cho
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA;
| | - Neil Perkins
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.N.); (J.K.); (N.P.); (M.O.); (Z.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Andrew Williams
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA;
| | - William Grobman
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | | | - Akila Subramaniam
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Marion Ouidir
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.N.); (J.K.); (N.P.); (M.O.); (Z.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Zhen Chen
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.N.); (J.K.); (N.P.); (M.O.); (Z.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Pauline Mendola
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (C.N.); (J.K.); (N.P.); (M.O.); (Z.C.); (P.M.)
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Kalimeri KK, Bartzis JG, Sakellaris IA, de Oliveira Fernandes E. Investigation of the PM 2.5, NO 2 and O 3 I/O ratios for office and school microenvironments. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108791. [PMID: 31605869 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of the exposure to PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter), NO2 and O3 i.e. pollutants of outdoor origin, due to the occupation of office and school microenvironments, was investigated through the quantification of the respective Indoor to Outdoor (I/O) ratios, in simple statistical terms. For that cause, indoor and outdoor observation data were retrieved from the HEALS EDMS database, and more specifically the data from the OFFICAIR and the SINPHONIE EU projects. The I/O ratios were produced and were statistically analyzed in order to be able to study the influence of the indoor environment against the pollutants coming from outdoors. The present statistical approach highlighted also the differences of I/O ratios between the two studied microenvironments for each pollutant. For exposure estimation to the above-mentioned pollutants, the probability and cumulative distribution function (pdf/cdf) empirical approximations led to the conclusion that for offices the I/O ratios of PM2.5 follow a normal distribution, while NO2 and O3 a gamma distribution. Respectively, for schools the I/O ratios of all pollutants follow a lognormal distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystallia K Kalimeri
- Environmental Technology Laboratory, Dep. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Bakola & Sialvera, 50132, Kozani, Greece.
| | - John G Bartzis
- Environmental Technology Laboratory, Dep. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Bakola & Sialvera, 50132, Kozani, Greece.
| | - Ioannis A Sakellaris
- Environmental Technology Laboratory, Dep. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Bakola & Sialvera, 50132, Kozani, Greece.
| | - Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes
- Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
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Salonen H, Salthammer T, Morawska L. Human exposure to NO 2 in school and office indoor environments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104887. [PMID: 31195224 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.05.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the most common air pollutants encountered indoors, and extensive literature has examined the link between NO2 exposure and duration causing adverse respiratory effects in susceptible populations, information about global and local exposure to NO2 in different indoor environments is limited. To synthesize the existing knowledge, this review analyzes the magnitude of and the trends in global and local exposure to NO2 in schools and offices, and the factors that control exposure. METHODS For the literature review, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched using 42 search terms and their combinations to identify manuscripts, reports, and directives published between 1971 and 2019. The search was then extended to the reference lists of relevant articles. RESULTS The calculated median, as well as the mean, concentration of NO2 in school (median 21.1 μg/m3; mean 29.4 μg/m3) and office settings (median 22.7 μg/m3; mean 25.1 μg/m3) was well below the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 40 μg/m3 for the annual mean NO2 concentration. However, a large range of average concentrations of NO2 were reported, from 6.00 to 68.5 μg/m3 and from 3.40 to 56.5 μg/m3 for school and office environments, respectively, indicating situations where the WHO guidelines are exceeded. Outdoor levels of NO2 are a reliable predictor of indoor NO2 levels across seasons, with mean and median Indoor/Outdoor (I/O) ratios of 0.9 and 0.7 in school and 0.9 and 0.8 in office environments, respectively. The absence of major indoor NO2 emission sources and NO2 sinks, including chemical reactions and deposition, are the reasons for lower indoor NO2 concentrations. During the winter, outdoor NO2 concentrations are generally higher than during the summer. In addition, various building and indoor environment characteristics, such as type of ventilation, air exchange rates, airtightness of the envelope, furnishing and surface characteristics of the building, location of the building (urban versus suburban and proximity to traffic routes), as well as occupants' behavior (such as opening windows), have been statistically significantly associated with indoor NO2 levels in school and office environments. CONCLUSIONS Indoor exposure to NO2 from the infiltration of ambient air can be significant in urban areas, and in the case of high traffic volume. Although reducing transportation emissions is challenging, there are several easier means to reduce indoor NO2 concentrations, including a ventilation strategy with suitable filters; location planning of new schools, classrooms, and ventilating windows or intakes; traffic planning (location and density); and reducing the use of NO2-releasing indoor sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Salonen
- Aalto University, Department of Civil Engineering, PO Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia.
| | - Tunga Salthammer
- Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia; Fraunhofer WKI, Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Lidia Morawska
- Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia
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17
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Richtwerte für Stickstoffdioxid (NO2) in der Innenraumluft. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2019; 62:664-676. [PMID: 30805672 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-019-02891-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Pettit T, Irga PJ, Torpy FR. Towards practical indoor air phytoremediation: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 208:960-974. [PMID: 30068040 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air quality has become a growing concern due to the increasing proportion of time people spend indoors, combined with reduced building ventilation rates resulting from an increasing awareness of building energy use. It has been well established that potted-plants can help to phytoremediate a diverse range of indoor air pollutants. In particular, a substantial body of literature has demonstrated the ability of the potted-plant system to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air. These findings have largely originated from laboratory scale chamber experiments, with several studies drawing different conclusions regarding the primary VOC removal mechanism, and removal efficiencies. Advancements in indoor air phytoremediation technology, notably active botanical biofilters, can more effectively reduce the concentrations of multiple indoor air pollutants through the action of active airflow through a plant growing medium, along with vertically aligned plants which achieve a high leaf area density per unit of floor space. Despite variable system designs, systems available have clear potential to assist or replace existing mechanical ventilation systems for indoor air pollutant removal. Further research is needed to develop, test and confirm their effectiveness and safety before they can be functionally integrated in the broader built environment. The current article reviews the current state of active air phytoremediation technology, discusses the available botanical biofiltration systems, and identifies areas in need of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Pettit
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - P J Irga
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
| | - F R Torpy
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
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Salonen H, Salthammer T, Morawska L. Human exposure to ozone in school and office indoor environments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 119:503-514. [PMID: 30053738 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although it is recognized that ozone causes acute and chronic health effects and that even trace amounts of ozone are potentially deleterious to human health, information about global and local exposures to ozone in different indoor environments is limited. To synthesize the existing knowledge, this review analyzes the magnitude of and the trends in global and local exposure to ozone in schools and offices and the factors controlling the exposures. METHODS In conducting the literature review, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched using 38 search terms and their combinations to identify manuscripts, reports, and directives published between 1973 and 2018. The search was then extended to the reference lists of relevant articles. RESULTS The calculated median concentration of ozone both in school (8.50 μg/m3) and office (9.04 μg/m3) settings was well below the WHO guideline value of 100 μg/m3 as a maximum 8 h mean concentration. However, a large range of average concentrations of ozone was reported, from 0.8-114 μg/m3 and from 0 to 96.8 μg/m3 for school and office environments, respectively, indicating situations where the WHO values are exceeded. Outdoor ozone penetrating into the indoor environment is the main source of indoor ozone, with median I/O ratios of 0.21 and 0.29 in school and office environments, respectively. The absence of major indoor ozone sources and ozone sinks, including gas-phase reactions and deposition, are the reasons for lower indoor than outdoor ozone concentrations. However, there are indoor sources of ozone that are of significance in certain indoor environments, including printers, photocopiers, and many other devices and appliances designed for indoor use (e.g., air cleaners), that release ozone either intentionally or unintentionally. Due to significantly elevated outdoor ozone concentrations during summer, summer indoor concentrations are typically elevated. In addition, the age of a building and various housing aspects (carpeting, air conditioning, window fans, and window openings) have been significantly associated with indoor ozone levels. CONCLUSIONS The existing means for reducing ozone and ozone reaction products in school and office settings are as follows: 1) reduce penetration of outdoor ozone indoors by filtering ozone from the supply air; 2) limit the use of printers, photocopiers, and other devices and appliances that emit ozone indoors; 3) limit gas-phase reactions by limiting the use of materials and products (e.g. cleaning chemicals) the emissions of which react with ozone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Salonen
- Aalto University, Department of Civil Engineering, PO Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland; Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia.
| | - Tunga Salthammer
- Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia; Fraunhofer WKI, Department of Material Analysis and Indoor Chemistry, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Lidia Morawska
- Queensland University of Technology, International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, 2 George Street, Brisbane Q 4001, Australia
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Błaszczyk E, Rogula-Kozłowska W, Klejnowski K, Kubiesa P, Fulara I, Mielżyńska-Švach D. Indoor air quality in urban and rural kindergartens: short-term studies in Silesia, Poland. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2017; 10:1207-1220. [PMID: 29308098 PMCID: PMC5741794 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-017-0505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of people living in urban areas who monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed limits defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted. According to average annual levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, ambient particles with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less) presented in the urban air quality database issued by WHO in 2016, as many as 33 Polish cities are among the 50 most polluted cities in the European Union (EU), with Silesian cities topping the list. The aim of this study was to characterize the indoor air quality in Silesian kindergartens based on the concentrations of gaseous compounds (SO2, NO2), PM2.5, and the sum of 15 PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including PM2.5-bound benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), as well as the mutagenic activity of PM2.5 organic extracts in Salmonella assay (strains: TA98, YG1024). The assessment of the indoor air quality was performed taking into consideration the pollution of the atmospheric air (outdoor). I/O ratios (indoor/outdoor concentration) for each investigated parameter were also calculated. Twenty-four-hour samples of PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 were collected during spring in two sites in southern Poland (Silesia), representing urban and rural areas. Indoor samples were taken in naturally ventilated kindergartens. At the same time, in the vicinity of the kindergarten buildings, the collection of outdoor samples of PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 was carried out. The content of BaP and the sum of 15 studied PAHs was determined in each 24-h sample of PM2.5 (indoor and outdoor). In the urban site, statistically lower concentrations of SO2 and NO2 were detected indoors compared to outdoors, whereas in the rural site, such a relationship was observed only for NO2. No statistically significant differences in the concentrations of PM2.5, PM2.5-bound BaP, and Σ15 PAHs in kindergartens (indoor) versus atmospheric (outdoor) air in the two studied areas were identified. Mutagenic effect of indoor PM2.5 samples was twice as low as in outdoor samples. The I/O ratios indicated that all studied air pollutants in the urban kindergarten originated from the ambient air. In the rural site concentrations of SO2, PM2.5 and BaP in the kindergarten were influenced by internal sources (gas and coal stoves).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Błaszczyk
- Environmental Toxicology Group, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, 6, Kossutha St., 40-844 Katowice, Poland
| | - Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska
- Department of Air Protection, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Science, 34, Skłodowskiej-Curie St., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Klejnowski
- Department of Air Protection, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Science, 34, Skłodowskiej-Curie St., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Piotr Kubiesa
- Environmental Toxicology Group, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, 6, Kossutha St., 40-844 Katowice, Poland
| | - Izabela Fulara
- Central Laboratory, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, 6, Kossutha St., 40-844 Katowice, Poland
| | - Danuta Mielżyńska-Švach
- Environmental Toxicology Group, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, 6, Kossutha St., 40-844 Katowice, Poland
- Nursing Institute, Witold Pilecki State School of Higher Education, 8, Kolbego St., 32-600 Oświęcim, Poland
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Grivas G, Dimakopoulou K, Samoli E, Papakosta D, Karakatsani A, Katsouyanni K, Chaloulakou A. Ozone exposure assessment for children in Greece - Results from the RESPOZE study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 581-582:518-529. [PMID: 28062110 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ozone exposure of 179 children in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece was assessed during 2013-2014, by repeated weekly personal measurements, using passive samplers. O3 was also monitored at school locations of participants to characterize community-level ambient exposure. Average personal concentrations in the two cities (5.0 and 2.8ppb in Athens and Thessaloniki, respectively) were considerably lower than ambient concentrations (with mean personal/ambient ratios of 0.13-0.15). The temporal variation of personal concentrations followed the -typical for low-latitude areas- pattern of cold-warm seasons. However, differences were detected between temporal distributions of personal and ambient concentrations, since personal exposures were affected by additional factors which present seasonal variability, such as outdoor activity and house ventilation. Significant spatial contrasts were observed between urban and suburban areas, for personal concentrations in Athens, with higher exposure for children residing in the N-NE part of the area. In Thessaloniki, spatial variations in personal concentrations were less pronounced, echoing the spatial pattern of ambient concentrations, a result of complex local meteorology and the smaller geographical expansion of the study area. Ambient concentration was identified as the most important factor influencing personal exposures (correlation coefficients between 0.36 and 0.67). Associations appeared to be stronger with ambient concentrations measured at school locations of children, than to those reported by the nearest site of the air quality monitoring network, indicating the importance of community-representative outdoor monitoring for characterization of personal-ambient relationships. Time spent outdoors by children was limited (>90% of the time they remained indoors), but -due to the lack of indoor sources- it was found to exert significant influence on personal concentrations, affecting inter-subject and spatiotemporal variability. Additional parameters that were identified as relevant for the determination of personal concentrations were indoor ventilation conditions (specifically indoor times with windows open) and the use of wood-burning in open fireplaces for heating as an ozone sink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Grivas
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, GR 15780, Greece.
| | - Konstantina Dimakopoulou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 75, Mikras Asias Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Samoli
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 75, Mikras Asias Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Despina Papakosta
- Pulmonary Department, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Karakatsani
- 2nd Pulmonary Department, "ATTIKON" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Klea Katsouyanni
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 75, Mikras Asias Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece; Department of Primary Care & Public Health Sciences and MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, King's College London, London, UK
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