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Wang N, Müller T, Ernle L, Bekö G, Wargocki P, Williams J. How Does Personal Hygiene Influence Indoor Air Quality? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9750-9759. [PMID: 38780915 PMCID: PMC11155237 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Humans are known to be a continuous and potent indoor source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, little is known about how personal hygiene, in terms of showering frequency, can influence these emissions and their impact on indoor air chemistry involving ozone. In this study, we characterized the VOC composition of the air in a controlled climate chamber (22.5 m3 with an air change rate at 3.2 h-1) occupied by four male volunteers on successive days under ozone-free (∼0 ppb) and ozone-present (37-40 ppb) conditions. The volunteers either showered the evening prior to the experiments or skipped showering for 24 and 48 h. Reduced shower frequency increased human emissions of gas-phase carboxylic acids, possibly originating from skin bacteria. With ozone present, increasing the number of no-shower days enhanced ozone-skin surface reactions, yielding higher levels of oxidation products. Wearing the same clothing over several days reduced the level of compounds generated from clothing-ozone reactions. When skin lotion was applied, the yield of the skin ozonolysis products decreased, while other compounds increased due to ozone reactions with lotion ingredients. These findings help determine the degree to which personal hygiene choices affect the indoor air composition and indoor air exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nijing Wang
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tatjana Müller
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Lisa Ernle
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Climate
& Atmosphere Research Centre, The Cyprus
Institute, 1645 Nicosia, Cyprus
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2
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Langer S, Weschler CJ, Bekö G, Morrison G, Sjöblom A, Giovanoulis G, Wargocki P, Wang N, Zannoni N, Yang S, Williams J. Squalene Depletion in Skin Following Human Exposure to Ozone under Controlled Chamber Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6693-6703. [PMID: 38577981 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
A major component of human skin oil is squalene, a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon that protects the skin from atmospheric oxidants. Skin oil, and thus squalene, is continuously replenished on the skin surface. Squalene is also quickly consumed through reactions with ozone and other oxidants. This study examined the extent of squalene depletion in the skin oils of the forearm of human volunteers after exposure to ozone in a climate chamber. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), skin coverage by clothing, and participants' age were varied in a controlled manner. Concentrations of squalene were determined in skin wipe samples collected before and after ozone exposure. Exposures to ozone resulted in statistically significant decreases in post-exposure squalene concentrations compared to pre-exposure squalene concentrations in the skin wipes when squalene concentrations were normalized by concentrations of co-occurring cholesterol but not by co-occurring pyroglutamic acid (PGA). The rate of squalene loss due to ozonolysis was lower than its replenishment on the skin surface. Within the ranges examined, temperature and RH did not significantly affect the difference between normalized squalene levels in post-samples versus pre-samples. Although not statistically significant, skin coverage and age of the volunteers (three young adults, three seniors, and three teenagers) did appear to impact squalene depletion on the skin surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarka Langer
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Environmental Chemistry, 40014 Göteborg, Sweden
- Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Division Building Services Engineering, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Charles J Weschler
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
- Healthy and Sustainable Built Environment Research Centre, Ajman University, P.O. Box 346 Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Glenn Morrison
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7431, United States
| | - Ann Sjöblom
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Environmental Chemistry, 40014 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Georgios Giovanoulis
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Environmental Chemistry, 40014 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nijing Wang
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nora Zannoni
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Shen Yang
- Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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3
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Zheng H, Csemezová J, Loomans M, Walker S, Gauvin F, Zeiler W. Species profile of volatile organic compounds emission and health risk assessment from typical indoor events in daycare centers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170734. [PMID: 38325455 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170734] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Daycare centers (DCCs) play an instrumental role in early childhood development, making them a significant indoor environment for a large number of children globally. Amidst routine DCC activities, young children are exposed to a myriad of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), potentially impacting their health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the VOC emissions during typical DCCs activities and evaluate respective health risk assessments. Employing a full-scale experimental setup within a well-controlled climate chamber, research was conducted into VOC emissions during three typical DCC events: arts-and-crafts (painting, gluing, modeling), cleaning, and sleeping activities tied to mattresses. The research identified 96 distinct VOCs, grouped into twelve categories, from 20 different events examined. Each event exhibited a unique VOC fingerprint, pinpointing potential source tracers. Also, significant variations in VOC emissions from different events were demonstrated. For instance, under cool & dry conditions, acrylic painting recorded high total VOC concentrations of 808 μg/m3, whereas poster painting showed only 58 μg/m3. Given these disparities, the study emphasizes the critical need for carefully selecting arts-and-crafts materials and cleaning agents in DCCs to effectively reduce VOC exposure. It suggests ventilating new mattresses before use and regular mattress check-ups to mitigate VOCs exposure during naps. Importantly, it revealed that certain events resulted in VOC levels exceeding the 10-5 cancer risk thresholds for younger children. Specifically, tetrachloroethylene and styrene from used mattresses in cool & dry conditions, ethylene oxide from new mattresses in warm & humid conditions, and styrene, during sand modeling in both conditions, were the key compounds contributing to this risk. These findings highlight the critical need for age-specific health risk assessments in DCCs. This study highlights the significance of understanding the profiles of VOC emissions from indoor events in DCCs, emphasizing potential health implications and laying a solid foundation for future investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailin Zheng
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Júlia Csemezová
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel Loomans
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Shalika Walker
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Florent Gauvin
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Wim Zeiler
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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4
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Yang S, Müller T, Wang N, Bekö G, Zhang M, Merizak M, Wargocki P, Williams J, Licina D. Influence of Ventilation on Formation and Growth of 1-20 nm Particles via Ozone-Human Chemistry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4704-4715. [PMID: 38326946 PMCID: PMC10938884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Ozone reaction with human surfaces is an important source of ultrafine particles indoors. However, 1-20 nm particles generated from ozone-human chemistry, which mark the first step of particle formation and growth, remain understudied. Ventilation and indoor air movement could have important implications for these processes. Therefore, in a controlled-climate chamber, we measured ultrafine particles initiated from ozone-human chemistry and their dependence on the air change rate (ACR, 0.5, 1.5, and 3 h-1) and operation of mixing fans (on and off). Concurrently, we measured volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and explored the correlation between particles and gas-phase products. At 25-30 ppb ozone levels, humans generated 0.2-7.7 × 1012 of 1-3 nm, 0-7.2 × 1012 of 3-10 nm, and 0-1.3 × 1012 of 10-20 nm particles per person per hour depending on the ACR and mixing fan operation. Size-dependent particle growth and formation rates increased with higher ACR. The operation of mixing fans suppressed the particle formation and growth, owing to enhanced surface deposition of the newly formed particles and their precursors. Correlation analyses revealed complex interactions between the particles and VOCs initiated by ozone-human chemistry. The results imply that ventilation and indoor air movement may have a more significant influence on particle dynamics and fate relative to indoor chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Yang
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tatjana Müller
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nijing Wang
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Meixia Zhang
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- School
of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute
of Technology, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Marouane Merizak
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Energy,
Environment and Water Research Center, The
Cyprus Institute, 2121 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Dusan Licina
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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5
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Lin Y, Wang X, Chen R, Weil T, Ge Y, Stapleton HM, Bergin MH, Zhang J(J. Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in Self-collected Biospecimens Following Campfire Exposure: Exploring Non-invasive Biomarkers of Wildfire Health Effects. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2024; 11:201-207. [PMID: 38828437 PMCID: PMC11144521 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Climate change has contributed to increased frequency and intensity of wildfire. Studying its acute effects is limited due to unpredictable nature of wildfire occurrence, which necessitates readily deployable techniques to collect biospecimens. To identify biomarkers of wildfire's acute effects, we conducted this exploratory study in eight healthy campers (four men and four women) who self-collected nasal fluid, urine, saliva, and skin wipes at different time points before, during, and after 4-hour exposure to wood smoke in a camping event. Concentrations of black carbon in the air and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in participants' silicone wristbands were significantly elevated during the exposure session. Among 30 arachidonic acid metabolites measured, lipoxygenase metabolites were more abundant in nasal fluid and saliva, whereas cyclooxygenase and non-enzymatic metabolites were more abundant in urine. We observed drastic increases, at 8 hours following the exposure, in urinary levels of PGE2 (398%) and 15-keto-PGF2α (191%) (FDR<10%), with greater increases in men (FDR < 0.01%) than in women. No significant changes were observed for other metabolites in urine or the other biospecimens. Our results suggest urinary PGE2 and 15-keto-PGF2α as promising biomarkers reflecting pathophysiologic (likely sex-dependent) changes induced by short-term exposure to wildfire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lin
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
| | - Xiangtian Wang
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
| | - Ruoxue Chen
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
| | - Tenley Weil
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
| | - Yihui Ge
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
| | - Heather M. Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
| | - Michael H. Bergin
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
| | - Junfeng (Jim) Zhang
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, United States
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6
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Yang S, Bekö G, Wargocki P, Zhang M, Merizak M, Nenes A, Williams J, Licina D. Physiology or Psychology: What Drives Human Emissions of Carbon Dioxide and Ammonia? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1986-1997. [PMID: 38237915 PMCID: PMC10832055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Humans are the primary sources of CO2 and NH3 indoors. Their emission rates may be influenced by human physiological and psychological status. This study investigated the impact of physiological and psychological engagements on the human emissions of CO2 and NH3. In a climate chamber, we measured CO2 and NH3 emissions from participants performing physical activities (walking and running at metabolic rates of 2.5 and 5 met, respectively) and psychological stimuli (meditation and cognitive tasks). Participants' physiological responses were recorded, including the skin temperature, electrodermal activity (EDA), and heart rate, and then analyzed for their relationship with CO2 and NH3 emissions. The results showed that physiological engagement considerably elevated per-person CO2 emission rates from 19.6 (seated) to 46.9 (2.5 met) and 115.4 L/h (5 met) and NH3 emission rates from 2.7 to 5.1 and 8.3 mg/h, respectively. CO2 emissions reduced when participants stopped running, whereas NH3 emissions continued to increase owing to their distinct emission mechanisms. Psychological engagement did not significantly alter participants' emissions of CO2 and NH3. Regression analysis revealed that CO2 emissions were predominantly correlated with heart rate, whereas NH3 emissions were mainly associated with skin temperature and EDA. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of human metabolic emissions of CO2 and NH3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Yang
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, 2800 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, 2800 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Meixia Zhang
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marouane Merizak
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Athanasios Nenes
- Laboratory
of Atmospheric Processes and Their Impacts, School of Architecture,
Civil & Environmental Engineering, École
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Energy,
Environment and Water Research Center, The
Cyprus Institute, 2121 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Dusan Licina
- Human-Oriented
Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental
Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Qu Y, Xie D, Liu Y. Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Human Occupants in a Student Office: Dependence on Ozone Concentration. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2024; 4:3-11. [PMID: 38250339 PMCID: PMC10797682 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.3c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Human occupants themselves constitute an important source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor environments through breath and dermal emissions. In order to quantify VOC emissions from occupants under real-world settings, previous indoor observational studies often determined emission factors (i.e., average emission rates per person). However, the values obtained across these studies exhibited large variability, and the causes of this variability still need to be understood. Herein we report 10-day real-time VOC measurements in a university student office, using a proton transfer reaction-quadrupole interface-time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A method was developed to identify VOCs of primary human origin and to quantify the corresponding emission factors, accounting for the dynamically changing occupancy level and ventilation rate in the assessed office. We found that the emission factors of many dermally emitted VOCs strongly increased as the ozone concentration increased from <3 to 10-15 ppb. These VOCs include geranyl acetone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (6-MHO), and C10-C12 saturated aldehydes, which align with characteristic first-generation ozonolysis products of skin oil. The strongest increase occurred for 6-MHO, from 113 to 337 μg/h/p. In comparison, acetone and isoprene, which are primarily emitted from human breath, varied little with the ozone level. In light of this finding, we conducted an integrated analysis of emission factors reported in the literature for two frequently reported species, namely, 6-MHO and decanal. Ozone concentration alone can explain 94-97% of the variation in their emission factors across previous studies, and the best-estimated ozone dependence obtained using the literature data is consistent with those obtained in the current study. These results suggest that the ozone concentration is a key factor regulating emission factors of many dermally emitted VOCs in real indoor environments, which has to be considered when reporting or using the emission factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuekun Qu
- Key
Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control,
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Di Xie
- Key
Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control,
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Yingjun Liu
- Key
Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control,
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
- Center
for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China
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8
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Yun S, Zhong S, Alavi HS, Alahi A, Licina D. Proxy methods for detection of inhalation exposure in simulated office environments. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:396-406. [PMID: 36347935 PMCID: PMC10234809 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00495-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modern health concerns related to air pollutant exposure in buildings have been exacerbated owing to several factors. Methods for assessing inhalation exposures indoors have been restricted to stationary air pollution measurements, typically assuming steady-state conditions. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the feasibility of several proxy methods for estimating inhalation exposure to CO2, PM2.5, and PM10 in simulated office environments. METHODS In a controlled climate chamber mimicking four different office setups, human participants performed a set of scripted sitting and standing office activities. Three proxy sensing techniques were examined: stationary indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring, individual monitoring of physiological status by wearable wristband, human presence detection by Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors. A ground-truth of occupancy was obtained from video recordings of network cameras. The results were compared with the concurrent IAQ measurements in the breathing zone of a reference participant by means of multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis with a combination of different input parameters. RESULTS Segregating data onto sitting and standing activities could lead to improved accuracy of exposure estimation model for CO2 and PM by 9-60% during sitting activities, relative to combined activities. Stationary PM2.5 and PM10 monitors positioned at the ceiling-mounted ventilation exhaust in vicinity of the seated reference participant accurately estimated inhalation exposure (adjusted R² = 0.91 and R² = 0.87). Measurement at the front edge of the desk near abdomen showed a moderate accuracy (adjusted R² = 0.58) in estimating exposure to CO2. Combining different sensing techniques improved the CO2 exposure detection by twofold, whereas the improvement for PM exposure detection was small (~10%). SIGNIFICANCE This study contributes to broadening the knowledge of proxy methods for personal exposure estimation under dynamic occupancy profiles. The study recommendations on optimal monitor combination and placement could help stakeholders better understand spatial air pollutant gradients indoors which can ultimately improve control of IAQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyeon Yun
- Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fedérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Sailin Zhong
- Human-IST Institute, Department of Informatics, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Hamed S Alavi
- Digital Interactions Lab, Institute of Informatics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandre Alahi
- Visual Intelligence for Transportation, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fedérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dusan Licina
- Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fedérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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9
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Haertl T, Owsienko D, Schwinn L, Hirsch C, Eskofier BM, Lang R, Wirtz S, Loos HM. Exploring the interrelationship between the skin microbiome and skin volatiles: A pilot study. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1107463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Unravelling the interplay between a human’s microbiome and physiology is a relevant task for understanding the principles underlying human health and disease. With regard to human chemical communication, it is of interest to elucidate the role of the microbiome in shaping or generating volatiles emitted from the human body. In this study, we characterized the microbiome and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sampled from the neck and axilla of ten participants (five male, five female) on two sampling days, by applying different methodological approaches. Volatiles emitted from the respective skin site were collected for 20 min using textile sampling material and analyzed on two analytical columns with varying polarity of the stationary phase. Microbiome samples were analyzed by a culture approach coupled with MALDI-TOF-MS analysis and a 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S RNA) sequencing approach. Statistical and advanced data analysis methods revealed that classification of body sites was possible by using VOC and microbiome data sets. Higher classification accuracy was achieved by combination of both data pools. Cutibacterium, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Streptococcus, Lawsonella, Anaerococcus, and Corynebacterium species were found to contribute to classification of the body sites by the microbiome. Alkanes, esters, ethers, ketones, aldehydes and cyclic structures were used by the classifier when VOC data were considered. The interdisciplinary methodological platform developed here will enable further investigations of skin microbiome and skin VOCs alterations in physiological and pathological conditions.
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10
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Rohra H, Pipal AS, Satsangi PG, Taneja A. Revisiting the atmospheric particles: Connecting lines and changing paradigms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156676. [PMID: 35700785 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Historically, the atmospheric particles constitute the most primitive and recent class of air pollutants. The science of atmospheric particles erupted more than a century ago covering more than four decades of size, with past few years experiencing major advancements on both theoretic and data-based observational grounds. More recently, the plausible recognition between particulate matter (PM) and the diffusion of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the accretion of interest in particle science. With motivation from diverse particle research interests, this paper is an 'old engineer's survey' beginning with the evolution of atmospheric particles and identifies along the way many of the global instances signaling the 'size concept' of PM. A theme that runs through the narrative is a 'previously known' generational evolution of particle science to the 'newly procured' portfolio of knowledge, with important gains on the application of unmet concepts and future approaches to PM exposure and epidemiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshi Rohra
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Atar Singh Pipal
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Human Health, Ming Chi University of Technology, Taishan, New Taipei 243089, Taiwan
| | - P G Satsangi
- Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Ajay Taneja
- Department of Chemistry, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra 282002, India.
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11
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Morrison G, Eftekhari A, Fan A, Majluf F, Krechmer JE. The influence of personal care products on ozone-skin surface chemistry. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268263. [PMID: 36174009 PMCID: PMC9522313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Personal care products are increasingly being marketed to protect skin from the potentially harmful effects of air pollution. Here, we experimentally measure ozone deposition rates to skin and the generation rates and yields of oxidized products from bare skin and skin coated with various lotion formulations. Lotions reduced the ozone flux to the skin surface by 12% to 25%; this may be due to dilution of reactive skin lipids with inert lotion compounds or by reducing ozone diffusivity within the resulting mixture. The yields of volatile squalene oxidation products were 25% to 70% lower for a commercial sunscreen and for a base lotion with an added polymer or with antioxidants. Lower yields are likely due to competitive reactions of ozone with lotion ingredients including some ingredients that are not intended to be ozone sinks. The dynamics of the emissions of squalene ozonation product 6 methyl-2-heptenone (6MHO) suggest that lotions can dramatically reduce the solubility of products in the skin film. While some lotions appear to reduce the rate of oxidation of squalene by ozone, this evidence does not yet demonstrate that the lotions reduce the impact of air pollution on skin health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn Morrison
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Azin Eftekhari
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Aixing Fan
- Colgate-Palmolive Co., Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Francesca Majluf
- Aerodyne Research Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jordan E. Krechmer
- Aerodyne Research Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts, United States of America
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12
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Hodshire AL, Carter E, Mattila JM, Ilacqua V, Zambrana J, Abbatt JPD, Abeleira A, Arata C, DeCarlo PF, Goldstein AH, Ruiz LH, Vance ME, Wang C, Farmer DK. Detailed Investigation of the Contribution of Gas-Phase Air Contaminants to Exposure Risk during Indoor Activities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12148-12157. [PMID: 35952310 PMCID: PMC9454252 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Analytical capabilities in atmospheric chemistry provide new opportunities to investigate indoor air. HOMEChem was a chemically comprehensive indoor field campaign designed to investigate how common activities, such as cooking and cleaning, impacted indoor air in a test home. We combined gas-phase chemical data of all compounds, excluding those with concentrations <1 ppt, with established databases of health effect thresholds to evaluate potential risks associated with gas-phase air contaminants and indoor activities. The chemical composition of indoor air is distinct from outdoor air, with gaseous compounds present at higher levels and greater diversity─and thus greater predicted hazard quotients─indoors than outdoors. Common household activities like cooking and cleaning induce rapid changes in indoor air composition, raising levels of multiple compounds with high risk quotients. The HOMEChem data highlight how strongly human activities influence the air we breathe in the built environment, increasing the health risk associated with exposure to air contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Hodshire
- Department
of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524, United States
| | - Ellison Carter
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort
Collins, Colorado 80521, United States
| | - James M. Mattila
- Department
of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524, United States
| | - Vito Ilacqua
- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Washington District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | - Jordan Zambrana
- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Washington District of Columbia 20460, United States
| | | | - Andrew Abeleira
- Department
of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524, United States
| | - Caleb Arata
- Department
of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Peter F. DeCarlo
- Department
of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21212, United States
| | - Allen H. Goldstein
- Department
of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Lea Hildebrandt Ruiz
- McKetta
Department of Chemical Engineering, The
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Marina E. Vance
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Colorado Boulder, 1111 Engineering Drive, 427 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Chen Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Delphine K. Farmer
- Department
of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524, United States
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13
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Zannoni N, Lakey PSJ, Won Y, Shiraiwa M, Rim D, Weschler CJ, Wang N, Ernle L, Li M, Bekö G, Wargocki P, Williams J. The human oxidation field. Science 2022; 377:1071-1077. [PMID: 36048928 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxyl (OH) radicals are highly reactive species that can oxidize most pollutant gases. In this study, high concentrations of OH radicals were found when people were exposed to ozone in a climate-controlled chamber. OH concentrations calculated by two methods using measurements of total OH reactivity, speciated alkenes, and oxidation products were consistent with those obtained from a chemically explicit model. Key to establishing this human-induced oxidation field is 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (6-MHO), which forms when ozone reacts with the skin-oil squalene and subsequently generates OH efficiently through gas-phase reaction with ozone. A dynamic model was used to show the spatial extent of the human-generated OH oxidation field and its dependency on ozone influx through ventilation. This finding has implications for the oxidation, lifetime, and perception of chemicals indoors and, ultimately, human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Zannoni
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Youngbo Won
- Department of Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Manabu Shiraiwa
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Donghyun Rim
- Department of Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Charles J Weschler
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Environmental and Resource Engineering, DTU Sustain, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.,Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Nijing Wang
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lisa Ernle
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mengze Li
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Environmental and Resource Engineering, DTU Sustain, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Environmental and Resource Engineering, DTU Sustain, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.,Energy, Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
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14
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Li M, Bekö G, Zannoni N, Pugliese G, Carrito M, Cera N, Moura C, Wargocki P, Vasconcelos P, Nobre P, Wang N, Ernle L, Williams J. Human metabolic emissions of carbon dioxide and methane and their implications for carbon emissions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155241. [PMID: 35421492 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and have large impacts on Earth's radiative forcing and climate. Their natural and anthropogenic emissions have often been in focus, while the role of human metabolic emissions has received less attention. In this study, exhaled, dermal and whole-body CO2 and CH4 emission rates from a total of 20 volunteers were quantified under various controlled environmental conditions in a climate chamber. The whole-body CO2 emissions increased with temperature. Individual differences were the most important factor for the whole-body CH4 emissions. Dermal emissions of CO2 and CH4 only contributed ~3.5% and ~5.5% to the whole-body emissions, respectively. Breath measurements conducted on 24 volunteers in a companion study identified one third of the volunteers as CH4 producers (exhaled CH4 exceeded 1 ppm above ambient level). The exhaled CH4 emission rate of these CH4 producers (4.03 ± 0.71 mg/h/person, mean ± one standard deviation) was ten times higher than that of the rest of the volunteers (non-CH4 producers; 0.41 ± 0.45 mg/h/person). With increasing global population and the expected large reduction in global anthropogenic carbon emissions in the next decades, metabolic emissions of CH4 (although not CO2) from humans may play an increasing role in regional and global carbon budgets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengze Li
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark; Department of Architecture, College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ajman University, Ajman, P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nora Zannoni
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Giovanni Pugliese
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 35, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Mariana Carrito
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto (CPUP), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nicoletta Cera
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto (CPUP), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Moura
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto (CPUP), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Priscila Vasconcelos
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto (CPUP), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Nobre
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto (CPUP), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nijing Wang
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Lisa Ernle
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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15
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Zheng H, Krishnan V, Walker S, Loomans M, Zeiler W. Laboratory evaluation of low-cost air quality monitors and single sensors for monitoring typical indoor emission events in Dutch daycare centers. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 166:107372. [PMID: 35777114 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Daycare centers (DCCs) are where infants and toddlers (0-4 years old) spend the most time besides their homes. Given their higher susceptibility to the effects of air pollutants, as compared to older children and adults, indoor air quality (IAQ) is regarded as an essential parameter to monitor in DCCs. Recent advances in IAQ monitoring technologies have enabled the deployment of low-cost air quality monitors (LCMs) and single sensors (LCSs) to continuously monitor various indoor environments, and their performance testing should also be performed in the intended indoor applications. To our knowledge, there is no study evaluating the application of LCMs/LCSs in DCCs scenarios yet. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess the response of five types of LCMs (previously not tested) and five LCSs to typical DCCs emission activities in detecting multiple IAQ parameters, i.e., particulate matter, carbon dioxide, total volatile organic compounds, temperature, and relative humidity. These LCMs/LCSs were compared to outcomes from research-grade instruments (RGIs). All the experiments were performed in a climate chamber, where three kinds of typical activities (background; arts-and-crafts; cleaning; [in a total of 32 events]) were simulated by recruited subjects at two typical indoor climatic conditions (cool and dry [20 ± 1 °C & 40 ± 10%], warm and humid [26 ± 1 °C & 70 ± 5%]). Results showed that tested LCMs had the ability to capture DCCs activities by simultaneously monitoring multiple IAQ parameters, and LCMs/LCSs revealed a strong correlation with RGIs in most events (R2 values from 0.7 to 1), but, for some events, the magnitude of responses varied widely. Sensirion SCD41, an emerging CO2 sensor built on the photoacoustic sensing principle, had a more accurate performance than all tested NDIR-based CO2 sensors/monitors. In general, the study implies that the selection of LCMs/LCSs for a specific application of interest should be based on emission characteristics and space conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailin Zheng
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Vinayak Krishnan
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Shalika Walker
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel Loomans
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Wim Zeiler
- Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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16
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Wu Z, Li N, Lan L, Wargocki P. The effect of inhaled air temperature on thermal comfort, perceived air quality, acute health symptoms and physiological responses at two ambient temperatures. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13092. [PMID: 36040284 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13092] [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: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We explored the importance of inhaled air temperature on thermal comfort, perceived air quality, acute non-clinical health symptoms, and physiological responses. Sixteen subjects stayed in a stainless-steel chamber for 90 min. They experienced four conditions with two inhaled air temperatures of 22 and 30°C and two ambient temperatures of 22 and 30°C in a 2 × 2 design. They wore breathing masks covering their mouth and nose to control the inhaled air temperature; the air was provided from an adjacent twin stainless-steel chamber. The subjects evaluated thermal conditions and health symptoms on visual-analogue scales. Skin temperature and electrocardiography were recorded. Whole-body thermal sensation and skin temperature did not change when the temperature of inhaled air was changed. Perceived air quality was significantly improved when subjects sat in the chamber at 30°C and inhaled air with a temperature of 22°C; under these conditions lip and throat dryness were significantly reduced. The lower inhaled air temperature increased time-domain heart rate variability indicators and decreased heart rate and the LF/HF ratio, suggesting that the parasympathetic nervous system was activated and the sympathetic nervous system was suppressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibin Wu
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
- College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nianping Li
- College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Lan
- Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Coffaro B, Weisel CP. Reactions and Products of Squalene and Ozone: A Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:7396-7411. [PMID: 35648815 PMCID: PMC9231367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This critical review describes the squalene-ozone (SqOz) reaction, or squalene ozonolysis. Ambient ozone penetrates indoors and drives indoor air chemistry. Squalene, a component of human skin oil, contains six carbon-carbon double bonds and is very reactive with ozone. Bioeffluents from people contribute to indoor air chemistry and affect the indoor air quality, resulting in exposures because people spend the majority of their time indoors. The SqOz reaction proceeds through various formation pathways and produces compounds that include aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and dicarbonyl species, which have a range of volatilities. In this critical review of SqOz chemistry, information on the mechanism of reaction, reaction probability, rate constants, and reaction kinetics are compiled. Characterizations of SqOz reaction products have been done in laboratory experiments and real-world settings. The effect of multiple environmental parameters (ozone concentration, air exchange rate (AER), temperature, and relative humidity (RH)) in indoor settings are summarized. This critical review concludes by identifying the paucity of available exposure, health, and toxicological data for known reaction products. Key knowledge gaps about SqOz reactions leading to indoor exposures and adverse health outcomes are provided as well as an outlook on where the field is headed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breann Coffaro
- Environmental
and Health Sciences Institute and Graduate Program in Exposure Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway Township, New
Jersey 08854, United
States
| | - Clifford P. Weisel
- Environmental
and Health Sciences Institute and School of Public Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway Township, New
Jersey 08854, United
States
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18
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Zhang L, Li X, Chen H, Wu Z, Hu M, Yao M. Haze Air Pollution Health Impacts of Breath-Borne VOCs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:8541-8551. [PMID: 35559607 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here, we investigated the use of breath-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for rapid monitoring of air pollution health effects on humans. Forty-seven healthy college students were recruited, and their exhaled breath samples (n = 235) were collected and analyzed for VOCs before, on, and after two separate haze pollution episodes using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). Using a paired t-test and machine learning model (Gradient Boosting Machine, GBM), six exhaled VOC species including propanol and isoprene were revealed to differ significantly among pre-, on-, and post-exposure in both haze episodes, while none was found between clean control days. The GBM model was shown capable of differentiating between pre- and on-exposure to haze pollution with a precision of 90-100% for both haze episodes. However, poor performance was detected for the same model between two different clean days. In addition to gender and particular haze occurrence influences, correlation analysis revealed that NH4+, NO3-, acetic acid, mesylate, CO, NO2, PM2.5, and O3 played important roles in the changes in breath-borne VOC fingerprints following haze air pollution exposure. This work has demonstrated direct evidence of human health impacts of haze pollution while identifying potential breath-borne VOC biomarkers such as propanol and isoprene for haze air pollution exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xinyue Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haoxuan Chen
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhijun Wu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Maosheng Yao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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19
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Wang N, Ernle L, Bekö G, Wargocki P, Williams J. Emission Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds from Humans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:4838-4848. [PMID: 35389619 PMCID: PMC9022422 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Human-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are mainly from breath and the skin. In this study, we continuously measured VOCs in a stainless-steel environmentally controlled climate chamber (22.5 m3, air change rate at 3.2 h-1) occupied by four seated human volunteers using proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Experiments with human whole body, breath-only, and dermal-only emissions were performed under ozone-free and ozone-present conditions. In addition, the effect of temperature, relative humidity, clothing type, and age was investigated for whole-body emissions. Without ozone, the whole-body total emission rate (ER) was 2180 ± 620 μg h-1 per person (p-1), dominated by exhaled chemicals. The ERs of oxygenated VOCs were positively correlated with the enthalpy of the air. Under ozone-present conditions (∼37 ppb), the whole-body total ER doubled, with the increase mainly driven by VOCs resulting from skin surface lipids/ozone reactions, which increased with relative humidity. Long clothing (more covered skin) was found to reduce the total ERs but enhanced certain chemicals related to the clothing. The ERs of VOCs derived from this study provide a valuable data set of human emissions under various conditions and can be used in models to better predict indoor air quality, especially for highly occupied environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nijing Wang
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Lisa Ernle
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, Nils Koppels Alle 402, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Environmental
and Resource Engineering, Technical University
of Denmark, Nils Koppels Alle 402, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner-Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Climate
& Atmosphere Research Centre, The Cyprus
Institute, 1645 Nicosia, Cyprus
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20
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Wu T, Tasoglou A, Huber H, Stevens PS, Boor BE. Influence of Mechanical Ventilation Systems and Human Occupancy on Time-Resolved Source Rates of Volatile Skin Oil Ozonolysis Products in a LEED-Certified Office Building. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:16477-16488. [PMID: 34851619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Building mechanical ventilation systems are a major driver of indoor air chemistry as their design and operation influences indoor ozone (O3) concentrations, the dilution and transport of indoor-generated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and indoor environmental conditions. Real-time VOC and O3 measurements were integrated with a building sensing platform to evaluate the influence of mechanical ventilation modes and human occupancy on the dynamics of skin oil ozonolysis products (SOOPs) in an office in a LEED-certified building during the winter. The ventilation system operated under variable recirculation ratios (RRs) from RR = 0 (100% outdoor air) to RR = 1 (100% recirculation air). Time-resolved source rates for 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (6-MHO), 4-oxopentanal (4-OPA), and decanal were highly dynamic and changed throughout the day with RR and occupancy. Total SOOP source rates during high-occupancy periods (10:00-18:00) varied from 2500-3000 μg h-1 when RR = 0.1 to 6300-6700 μg h-1 when RR = 1. Source rates for gas-phase reactions, outdoor air, and occupant-associated emissions generally decreased with increasing RR. The recirculation air source rate increased with RR and typically became the dominant source for RR > 0.5. SOOP emissions from surface reservoirs were also a prominent source, contributing 10-50% to total source rates. Elevated per person SOOP emission factors were observed, potentially due to multiple layers of soiled clothing worn during winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianren Wu
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Antonios Tasoglou
- RJ Lee Group Incorporated, Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146, United States
| | - Heinz Huber
- Edelweiss Technology Solutions, Limited Liability Company, Novelty, Ohio 44072, United States
| | - Philip S Stevens
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Brandon E Boor
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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21
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Yang S, Licina D, Weschler CJ, Wang N, Zannoni N, Li M, Vanhanen J, Langer S, Wargocki P, Williams J, Bekö G. Ozone Initiates Human-Derived Emission of Nanocluster Aerosols. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14536-14545. [PMID: 34672572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanocluster aerosols (NCAs, particles <3 nm) are important players in driving climate feedbacks and processes that impact human health. This study reports, for the first time, NCA formation when gas-phase ozone reacts with human surfaces. In an occupied climate-controlled chamber, we detected NCA only when ozone was present. NCA emissions were dependent on clothing coverage, occupant age, air temperature, and humidity. Ozone-initiated chemistry with human skin lipids (particularly their primary surface reaction products) is the key mechanism driving NCA emissions, as evidenced by positive correlations with squalene in human skin wipe samples and known gaseous products from ozonolysis of skin lipids. Oxidation by OH radicals, autoxidation reactions, and human-emitted NH3 may also play a role in NCA formation. Such chemical processes are anticipated to generate aerosols of the smallest size (1.18-1.55 nm), whereas larger clusters result from subsequent growth of the smaller aerosols. This study shows that whenever we encounter ozone indoors, where we spend most of our lives, NCAs will be produced in the air around us.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Yang
- Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Dusan Licina
- Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Charles J Weschler
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Nijing Wang
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Nora Zannoni
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Mengze Li
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Joonas Vanhanen
- Airmodus Limited, Erik Palménin Aukio 1, Helsinki FI-00560, Finland
| | - Sarka Langer
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Göteborg SE-400 14, Sweden
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Division of Building Services Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, Mainz 55128, Germany
- Energy, Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia 2121, Cyprus
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
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22
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Sun C, Hong S, Cai G, Zhang Y, Kan H, Zhao Z, Deng F, Zhao B, Zeng X, Sun Y, Qian H, Liu W, Mo J, Guo J, Zheng X, Su C, Zou Z, Li H, Huang C. Indoor exposure levels of ammonia in residences, schools, and offices in China from 1980 to 2019: A systematic review. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1691-1706. [PMID: 34181775 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12864] [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: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Indoor ammonia (NH3 ) pollution has been paid more and more attention in view of its health risk. However, few studies have investigated the exposure level in the non-occupational environment in China. This study systematically reviewed the indoor ammonia exposure level in different regions, the equivalent exposure concentration of different populations, and the factors that influence indoor air ammonia in residences, offices, and schools in China. The literature published in 1980-2019 from main databases was searched and detailed screened, and finally, 56 related studies were selected. The results illustrated that the median concentration of indoor air ammonia in residences, offices, and school buildings was 0.21 mg/m3 , 0.26 mg/m3 , and 0.15 mg/m3 . There were 46.4%, 71.4%, and 40% of these samples exceeding the NH3 standard, respectively. The national concentrations and the equivalent exposure levels of adults and children were calculated and found to be higher than 0.20 mg/m3 . The concentration of ammonia varied greatly in different climate zones and economic development regions. Higher concentrations were found in the severe cold zone and the regions with higher economic level. This review reveals a high exposure risk of indoor air ammonia and the crucial impact of human emission, indoor air temperature, new concrete, and economic level, suggesting further investigation on indoor air ammonia evaluation and health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanjuan Sun
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shijie Hong
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangkai Cai
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Furong Deng
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangang Zeng
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center of BEEE, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinhan Mo
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Guo
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center of BEEE, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxiao Su
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Zou
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Li
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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23
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Zannoni N, Li M, Wang N, Ernle L, Bekö G, Wargocki P, Langer S, Weschler CJ, Morrison G, Williams J. Effect of Ozone, Clothing, Temperature, and Humidity on the Total OH Reactivity Emitted from Humans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13614-13624. [PMID: 34591444 PMCID: PMC8529706 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
People influence indoor air chemistry through their chemical emissions via breath and skin. Previous studies showed that direct measurement of total OH reactivity of human emissions matched that calculated from parallel measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from breath, skin, and the whole body. In this study, we determined, with direct measurements from two independent groups of four adult volunteers, the effect of indoor temperature and humidity, clothing coverage (amount of exposed skin), and indoor ozone concentration on the total OH reactivity of gaseous human emissions. The results show that the measured concentrations of VOCs and ammonia adequately account for the measured total OH reactivity. The total OH reactivity of human emissions was primarily affected by ozone reactions with organic skin-oil constituents and increased with exposed skin surface, higher temperature, and higher humidity. Humans emitted a comparable total mixing ratio of VOCs and ammonia at elevated temperature-low humidity and elevated temperature-high humidity, with relatively low diversity in chemical classes. In contrast, the total OH reactivity increased with higher temperature and higher humidity, with a larger diversity in chemical classes compared to the total mixing ratio. Ozone present, carbonyl compounds were the dominant reactive compounds in all of the reported conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Zannoni
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Mengze Li
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nijing Wang
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Lisa Ernle
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sarka Langer
- IVL
Swedish Environmental Research Institute, 41133 Göteborg, Sweden
- Division
of Building Services Engineering, Department of Architecture and Civil
Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Charles J. Weschler
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
- Environmental
and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Glenn Morrison
- Department
of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global
Public Health, The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, Chapel
Hill, North Carolina 27599-7431, United States
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Atmospheric
Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute
for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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24
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Mishra AK, Schiavon S, Wargocki P, Tham KW. Respiratory performance of humans exposed to moderate levels of carbon dioxide. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1540-1552. [PMID: 33991134 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12823] [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: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In a business as usual scenario, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2 ) could reach 950 parts per million (ppm) by 2100. Indoor CO2 concentrations will rise consequently, given its dependence on atmospheric CO2 levels. If buildings are ventilated following current standards in 2100, indoor CO2 concentration could be over 1300 ppm, depending on specific ventilation codes. Such exposure to CO2 could have physiological and psychological effects on building occupants. We conducted a randomized, within-subject study, examining the physiological effects on the respiratory functions of 15 persons. We examined three exposures, each 150 min long, with CO2 of: 900 ppm (reference), 1450 ppm (decreased ventilation), and 1450 ppm (reference condition with added pure CO2 ). We measured respiratory parameters with capnometry and forced vital capacity (FVC) tests. End-tidal CO2 and respiration rates did not significantly differ across the three exposures. Parameters measured using FVC decreased significantly from the start to the end of exposure only at the reduced ventilation condition (p < 0.04, large effect size). Hence, poor ventilation likely affects respiratory parameters. This effect is probably not caused by increased CO2 alone and rather by other pollutants-predominantly human bioeffluents in this work-whose concentrations increased as a result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asit Kumar Mishra
- SinBerBEST, Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stefano Schiavon
- Center for the Built Environment, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kwok Wai Tham
- Department of Building, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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25
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Finewax Z, Pagonis D, Claflin MS, Handschy AV, Brown WL, Jenks O, Nault BA, Day DA, Lerner BM, Jimenez JL, Ziemann PJ, de Gouw JA. Quantification and source characterization of volatile organic compounds from exercising and application of chlorine-based cleaning products in a university athletic center. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1323-1339. [PMID: 33337567 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Humans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, impacting their own air quality through occupancy and activities. Human VOC emissions indoors from exercise are still relatively uncertain, and questions remain about emissions from chlorine-based cleaners. To investigate these and other issues, the ATHLETic center study of Indoor Chemistry (ATHLETIC) campaign was conducted in the weight room of the Dal Ward Athletic Center at the University of Colorado Boulder. Using a Vocus Proton-Transfer-Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (Vocus PTR-TOF), an Aerodyne Gas Chromatograph (GC), an Iodide-Chemical Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (I-CIMS), and Picarro cavity ringdown spectrometers, we alternated measurements between the weight room and supply air, allowing for determination of VOC, NH3 , H2 O, and CO2 emission rates per person (emission factors). Human-derived emission factors were higher than previous studies of measuring indoor air quality in rooms with individuals at rest and correlated with increased CO2 emission factors. Emission factors from personal care products (PCPs) were consistent with previous studies and typically decreased throughout the day. In addition, N-chloraldimines were observed in the gas phase after the exercise equipment was cleaned with a dichlor solution. The chloraldimines likely originated from reactions of free amino acids with HOCl on gym surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Finewax
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Demetrios Pagonis
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Anne V Handschy
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Wyatt L Brown
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Olivia Jenks
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Benjamin A Nault
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Douglas A Day
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Jose L Jimenez
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Paul J Ziemann
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Joost A de Gouw
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
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26
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From spontaneous to strategic natural window ventilation: Improving indoor air quality in Swiss schools. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 234:113746. [PMID: 33819800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural window ventilation is frequently employed in schools in Europe and often leads to inadequate levels of human bioeffluents. However, intervention studies that verify whether recommended ventilation targets can be achieved in practice with reasonable ventilation regimes and that are also suitable for countries with cold winters are practically non-existent. To explore the initial situation in Switzerland we carried out carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements during the winter in 100 classrooms, most of which (94%) had natural window ventilation. In more than two thirds of those, the hygienic limit value of 2000 ppm specified for CO2 in the Swiss Standard SN 520180 (2014) was exceeded. To improve ventilation behavior, an intervention was implemented in 23 classrooms during the heating season. Ventilation was performed exclusively during breaks (to avoid discomfort from cold and drafts), efficiently, and only for as long as was necessary to achieve the ventilation objective of compliance with the hygienic limit value (strategic ventilation). The intervention included verbal and written instructions, awareness-raising via a school lesson and an interactive tool for students, which was also used to estimate the required duration of ventilation. CO2 exposure was significantly reduced in pilot classes (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 3.815e-06). Median CO2 levels decreased from 1600 ppm (control group) to 1097 ppm (intervention group), and the average proportion of teaching time at 400-1400 ppm CO2 increased from 40% to 70%. The duration of ventilation was similar to spontaneous natural window ventilation (+5.8%). Stricter ventilation targets are possible. The concept of the intervention is suitable for immediate adoption in schools with natural window ventilation for a limited period, pending the installation of a mechanical ventilation system. The easy integration of this intervention into everyday school life promotes compliance, which is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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27
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Gall ET, Mishra AK, Li J, Schiavon S, Laguerre A. Impact of Cognitive Tasks on CO 2 and Isoprene Emissions from Humans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:139-148. [PMID: 33301299 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The human body emits a wide range of chemicals, including CO2 and isoprene. To examine the impact of cognitive tasks on human emission rates of CO2 and isoprene, we conducted an across-subject, counterbalanced study in a controlled chamber involving 16 adults. The chamber replicated an office environment. In groups of four, participants engaged in 30 min each of cognitive tasks (stressed activity) and watching nature documentaries (relaxed activity). Measured biomarkers indicated higher stress levels were achieved during the stressed activity. Per-person CO2 emission rates were greater for stressed than relaxed activity (30.3 ± 2.1 vs 27.0 ± 1.7 g/h/p, p = 0.0044, mean ± standard deviation). Isoprene emission rates were also elevated under stressed versus relaxed activity (154 ± 25 μg/h/p vs 116 ± 20 μg/h/p, p = 0.041). The chamber temperature was held constant at 26.2 ± 0.49 °C; incidental variation in temperature did not explain the variance in emission rates. Isoprene emission rates increased linearly with salivary α-amylase levels (r2 = 0.6, p = 0.02). These results imply the possibility of considering cognitive tasks when determining building ventilation rates. They also present the possibility of monitoring indicators of cognitive tasks of occupants through measurement of air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott T Gall
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
| | - Asit Kumar Mishra
- Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, Singapore 138602
| | - Jiayu Li
- Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore, Singapore 138602
| | - Stefano Schiavon
- Center for the Built Environment, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-2284, United States
| | - Aurélie Laguerre
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201, United States
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28
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Yang S, Bekö G, Wargocki P, Williams J, Licina D. Human Emissions of Size-Resolved Fluorescent Aerosol Particles: Influence of Personal and Environmental Factors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:509-518. [PMID: 33337850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Human emissions of fluorescent aerosol particles (FAPs) can influence the biological burden of indoor air. Yet, quantification of FAP emissions from human beings remains limited, along with a poor understanding of the underlying emission mechanisms. To reduce the knowledge gap, we characterized human emissions of size-segregated FAPs (1-10 μm) and total particles in a climate chamber with low-background particle levels. We probed the influence of several personal factors (clothing coverage and age) and environmental parameters (level of ozone, air temperature, and relative humidity) on particle emissions from human volunteers. A material-balance model showed that the mean emission rate ranged 5.3-16 × 106 fluorescent particles per person-h (0.30-1.2 mg per person-h), with a dominant size mode within 3-5 μm. Volunteers wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants produced 40% more FAPs relative to those wearing t-shirts and shorts. Particle emissions varied across the age groups: seniors (average age 70.5 years) generated 50% fewer FAPs compared to young adults (25.0 years) and teenagers (13.8 years). While we did not observe a measurable influence of ozone (0 vs 40 ppb) on human FAP emissions, there was a strong influence of relative humidity (34 vs 62%), with FAP emissions decreasing by 30-60% at higher humidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Yang
- Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Hahn-Meitner Weg 1, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Energy, Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, 2121 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Dusan Licina
- Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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29
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Wang N, Zannoni N, Ernle L, Bekö G, Wargocki P, Li M, Weschler CJ, Williams J. Total OH Reactivity of Emissions from Humans: In Situ Measurement and Budget Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:149-159. [PMID: 33295177 PMCID: PMC7788569 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Humans are a potent, mobile source of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor environments. Such direct anthropogenic emissions are gaining importance, as those from furnishings and building materials have become better regulated and energy efficient homes may reduce ventilation. While previous studies have characterized human emissions in indoor environments, the question remains whether VOCs remain unidentified by current measuring techniques. In this study conducted in a climate chamber occupied by four people, the total OH reactivity of air was quantified, together with multiple VOCs measured by proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) and fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (fast-GC-MS). Whole-body, breath, and dermal emissions were assessed. The comparison of directly measured OH reactivity and that of the summed reactivity of individually measured species revealed no significant shortfall. Ozone exposure (37 ppb) was found to have little influence on breath OH reactivity but enhanced dermal OH reactivity significantly. Without ozone, the whole-body OH reactivity was dominated by breath emissions, mostly isoprene (76%). With ozone present, OH reactivity nearly doubled, with the increase being mainly caused by dermal emissions of mostly carbonyl compounds (57%). No significant difference in total OH reactivity was observed for different age groups (teenagers/young adults/seniors) without ozone. With ozone present, the total OH reactivity decreased slightly with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nijing Wang
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Nora Zannoni
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Lisa Ernle
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Gabriel Bekö
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Pawel Wargocki
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Mengze Li
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Charles J. Weschler
- International
Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
- Environmental
and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Max
Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz 55128, Germany
- The
Cyprus Institute, Nicosia 2121, Cyprus
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30
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Inner Workings: How human biology and behavior affect indoor air quality. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:22619-22622. [PMID: 32879006 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2016161117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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