Indoor air quality of 5,000 households and its determinants. Part A: Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10–2.5) concentrations in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

This study examined the indoor air quality of restaurants in two cities with universities, one smoke-free (n=15) and one that allowed smoking (n=17). Results indicated that restaurants protected by smoke-free ordinance had significantly (p=.036) lower levels of particulate matter (13.10±10.33 ug/m3) compared to restaurants which allowed smoking (130.72±212.64 ug/m3). Mean particulate matter within smoking-allowed restaurants was caused by as few as three cigarettes being smoked at one time. Based on the EPA Air Quality Index, 70.6% of smoking-allowed restaurants yielded an unhealthy classification compared to only 6.7% of smoke-free restaurants (p=.005). Smoke-free ordinances provide effective protection from indoor air pollution.

Download Full-text

Effect of Air Purification Systems on Particulate Matter and Airborne Bacteria in Public Buses

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos13010055 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 55

Author(s):

Jae Jung Lee ◽

Hyemin Hwang ◽

Suk Chan Hong ◽

Jae Young Lee

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Air Quality ◽

South Korea ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Air Purification ◽

Airborne Bacteria ◽

Pm2.5 And Pm10

The indoor air quality in public transport systems is a major concern in South Korea. Within this context, we investigated the effect of air purification systems on the indoor air quality of intercity buses, one of the most popular transport options in South Korea. Air purifiers were custom designed and equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove particulate matter and ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) to remove airborne bacteria. To investigate the effectiveness of the air purification systems, we compared concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), airborne bacteria, and carbon dioxide (CO2) in six buses (three with air purification systems and three without) along three bus routes (BUS1, BUS2, BUS3) in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, between 6 April and 4 May 2021. Compared to the buses without air purification, those with air purification systems showed 34–60% and 25–61% lower average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. In addition, buses with air purification systems had 24–78% lower average airborne bacteria concentrations compared to those without air purification systems (when measured after 30 min of initial purification).

Download Full-text

Assessment of the Indoor Air Quality of Akure, South – West, Nigeria

Quality of Life (Banja Luka) - APEIRON ◽

10.7251/qol1901015a ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1-2) ◽

Author(s):

Francis Olawale Abulude ◽

Samuel Dare Fagbayide ◽

Akinyinka Akinnusotu ◽

Olatunde Elubode Makinde ◽

Jamok Jacob Elisha

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Total Volatile Organic Compound ◽

South West ◽

Toxicity Potential ◽

Volatile Organic ◽

Pm2.5 And Pm10 ◽

Indoor And Outdoor

Air quality has been a major concern throughout the world, Nigeria inclusive. The monitoring of air quality involves indoor and outdoor air quality. In this study, our concern was on indoor air quality. The aim of this study was to assess the air quality of residential homes (17), classrooms (3), hospitals (2), offices (5), Shops (2), and laboratories (5) in Akure, Nigeria in terms of formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compound (TVOC), Particulate matter (PM1.0; PM2.5, and PM10). A Multifunction Air Detector was used for the assessment using the manufacturers’ procedures and the locations were identified using a Mini GPS. The results revealed as follows: HCHO (0.001-0.030 mg/m3), TVOC (0.003-362 mg/m3), PM1.0 (004-014 µg/m3), PM2.5 (006-020 µg/m3), and PM10 (006-022 µg/m3). The results obtained were below the 24 h pollution recommended standards (0.1 mg/m3- HCHO; TVOC; 10-20 μ/m3 PM) of EPA and WHO. Statistically, there were correlations within the pollutants and weather. The Indoor air quality (IAQ) depicted the areas as ‘good,’ and toxicity potential (TP) were below unity. Although the locations looked safe, it is recommended that constant monitoring of the indoors should be ensured and proper ventilation should be provided.

Download Full-text

The Way of Usage and Location in a Big City Agglomeration as Impact Factors of the Nurseries Indoor Air Quality

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14227534 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (22) ◽

pp. 7534

Author(s):

Małgorzata Basińska ◽

Katarzyna Ratajczak ◽

Michał Michałkiewicz ◽

Paweł Fuć ◽

Maciej Siedlecki

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Co2 Concentration ◽

Pollutant Emissions ◽

Impact Factors ◽

Outdoor Air ◽

Pm2.5 And Pm10 ◽

The Impact

The quality of outdoor air in many places, especially in urbanized areas, is bad; therefore, a series of studies aimed at assessing the impact of outdoor air parameters on indoor air quality was conducted. Four nurseries (three buildings) located in different parts of Poznań, Poland were selected as research sites. During the research period, the concentrations of CO2, PM2.5, and PM10 inside and outside the buildings over time were analyzed. Measurements outside the buildings were supplemented with an analysis of traffic near nurseries and an assessment of pollutant emissions from vehicles of various categories. Measurements were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in a weekly series during winter (December)—(W), spring (April)—(S), and at the end of spring (June)—(LS). Testing and analyses indicated poor indoor air quality in three out of four nurseries. To ensure indoor air quality at the proper level, it is necessary to supply rooms with outside air. Ventilating rooms by airing, when the outside air is polluted, reduces the CO2 concentration but worsens the indoor air quality in terms of particulate matter (PM). Seasonality in the concentration of particulate matter in outdoor air and its connection with the outside air temperature was noticed. No relationship between traffic and the values of PM10 and CO2 concentrations inside nurseries was observed.

Download Full-text

Assessment of the Indoor Air Quality of Akure, Nigeria

10.20944/preprints201811.0586.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Francis Abulude ◽

Fagbayide Samuel Dare ◽

Akinyinka Akinnusotu ◽

Olatunde Elubode Makinde ◽

Jamok Jacob Elisha

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Total Volatile ◽

Total Volatile Organic Compound ◽

Toxicity Potential ◽

Volatile Organic ◽

Pm2.5 And Pm10 ◽

Indoor And Outdoor

Air quality has been a major concern throughout the world, Nigeria inclusive. The monitoring of air quality involves indoor and outdoor air quality. In this study, our concern was on indoor air quality. The aim of this study was to assess the air quality of residential homes (17), classrooms (3), hospitals (2), offices (5), Shops (2), and laboratories (5) in Akure, Nigeria in terms of formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compound (TVOC), Particulate matter (PM1.0; PM2.5, and PM10). A Multifunction Air Detector was used for the assessment using the manufacturers’ procedures and the locations were identified using a Mini GPS. The results revealed as follows: HCHO (0.001-0.030 mg/m3), TVOC (0.003-362 mg/m3), PM1.0 (004-014 µg/m3), PM2.5 (006-020 µg/m3), and PM10 (006-022 µg/m3). The results obtained were below the 24 h pollution recommended standards (0.1 mg/m3- HCHO; TVOC; 10-20 μ/m3 PM) of EPA and WHO. Statistically, there were correlations within the pollutants and weather. The Indoor air quality (IAQ) depicted the areas as ‘good,’ and toxicity potential (TP) were below unity. Although the locations looked safe, it is recommended that constant monitoring of the indoors should be ensured and proper ventilation should be provided.

Download Full-text