scholarly journals Bad Air Can Also Kill: Residential Indoor Air Quality and Pollutant Exposure Risk during the COVID-19 Crisis

Author(s):  
Samuel Domínguez-Amarillo ◽  
Jesica Fernández-Agüera ◽  
Sonia Cesteros-García ◽  
Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano

During the first outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic the population, focusing primarily on the risk of infection, was generally inattentive to the quality of indoor air. Spain, and the city of Madrid in particular, were among the world’s coronavirus hotspots. The country’s entire population was subject to a 24/7 lockdown for 45 days. This paper describes a comparative longitudinal survey of air quality in four types of housing in the city of Madrid before and during lockdown. The paper analysed indoor temperatures and variations in CO2, 2.5 μm particulate matter (PM2.5) and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations before and during lockdown. The mean daily outdoor PM2.5 concentration declined from 11.04 µg/m3 before to 7.10 µg/m3 during lockdown. Before lockdown the NO2 concentration values scored as ‘very good’ 46% of the time, compared to 90.9% during that period. Although the city’s outdoor air quality improved, during lockdown the population’s exposure to indoor pollutants was generally more acute and prolonged. Due primarily to concern over domestic energy savings, the lack of suitable ventilation and more intensive use of cleaning products and disinfectants during the covid-19 crisis, indoor pollutant levels were typically higher than compatible with healthy environments. Mean daily PM2.5 concentration rose by approximately 12% and mean TVOC concentration by 37% to 559%. The paper also puts forward a series of recommendations to improve indoor domestic environments in future pandemics and spells out urgent action to be taken around indoor air quality (IAQ) in the event of total or partial quarantining to protect residents from respiratory ailments and concomitantly enhanced susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, as identified by international medical research.

2021 ◽  
Vol 267 ◽  
pp. 01036
Author(s):  
Zou Hang ◽  
Liu Zhanqiang ◽  
Guo Xiaojuan ◽  
Long Enshen

Western Sichuan region has a variety of traditional heating methods and excellent outdoor air quality, and the difference with the city is clear. The indoor air quality of the western Sichuan region is worth studying. The diffusion law of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentration under different heating methods can be explored to provide effective data support for environmental governance. In this context, the indoor air quality under different heating methods in Songpan County was measured with PM2.5 concentration assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ). By analyzing the indoor air quality under different heating modes, the following conclusions can be drawn: the influence degree of indoor activity on indoor particle concentration level depends on the source and characteristics of the house. Air leakage is one of the main reasons for the rise of indoor PM2.5. Heating methods disturb the indoor air, which significantly affects the migration of PM2.5.


Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Lena F. Estensmo ◽  
Luis Morgado ◽  
Sundy Maurice ◽  
Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez ◽  
Ingeborg B. Engh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Children spend considerable time in daycare centers in parts of the world and are exposed to the indoor micro- and mycobiomes of these facilities. The level of exposure to microorganisms varies within and between buildings, depending on occupancy, climate, and season. In order to evaluate indoor air quality, and the effect of usage and seasonality, we investigated the spatiotemporal variation in the indoor mycobiomes of two daycare centers. We collected dust samples from different rooms throughout a year and analyzed their mycobiomes using DNA metabarcoding. Results The fungal community composition in rooms with limited occupancy (auxiliary rooms) was similar to the outdoor samples, and clearly different from the rooms with higher occupancy (main rooms). The main rooms had higher abundance of Ascomycota, while the auxiliary rooms contained comparably more Basidiomycota. We observed a strong seasonal pattern in the mycobiome composition, mainly structured by the outdoor climate. Most markedly, basidiomycetes of the orders Agaricales and Polyporales, mainly reflecting typical outdoor fungi, were more abundant during summer and fall. In contrast, ascomycetes of the orders Saccharomycetales and Capnodiales were dominant during winter and spring. Conclusions Our findings provide clear evidences that the indoor mycobiomes in daycare centers are structured by occupancy as well as outdoor seasonality. We conclude that the temporal variability should be accounted for in indoor mycobiome studies and in the evaluation of indoor air quality of buildings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (13) ◽  
pp. 2208-2212
Author(s):  
Endang Purnawati Rahayu ◽  
Zulfan Saam ◽  
Sukendi Sukendi ◽  
Dedi Afandi

BACKGROUND: Air quality in inpatient rooms influenced by several factors. Room not qualified health can cause disease and can spread through equipment, the material used, food and drink, health workers, patients and visitors. AIM: The purpose of this study is to know the factors that affect air quality in the inpatient room at a private hospital, Pekanbaru. METHODS: The research is quantitative analytic by design cut latitude study. Samples from 120 nurses were selected overall sampling. The data do with the measurement directly, interviews and observation using a questionnaire. Data analysed by using the chi-square with significance p-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: The quality of the air in inpatient rooms has met the standard. Variables are affecting air quality in inpatient rooms in the hospital significantly with p-value more than 0.05 is temperature, dust, the germ, density occupancy, sanitation room. While the moisture, standard operating procedures and behaviour is not significant. CONCLUSION: The factors that significantly affect indoor air quality inpatient hospitalisation are temperature, dust, germ numbers, occupancy density, room sanitation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Resti Ayu Lestari ◽  
Rinda Andhita Regia ◽  
Hafifatul Auliya Rahmy ◽  
Vezy Hidayatifa Thayyibah ◽  
Nadya Fadhillah Febrinaldi

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting indoor tourism in West Sumatra. The spread of a virus through could be influenced by indoor air quality. This study aims to analyze the potensial spread of Covid-19 in the indoor tourism in West Sumatra based on the physical indoor air quality, including PM2.5 concentration, temperature, humidity, and light intensity. The research objects were Lubang Japang Bukittinggi and Istano Basa Pagaruyung. The research was conducted by using sampling and interview methods. The data obtained were compared to Permenkes No. 1077/Menkes/Per/V/2011 and the suitable environmental conditions for the virus. The results showed that the temperature values in tourist objects were below the standards used. The temperature value in the research objects ranged from 20oC to 30oC. The humidity, light intensity, and PM2.5 concentration values were outside the ranges stipulated by regulations. Lubang Japang humidity was: 75.97 - 94.76 Rh; Istano Basa Pagaruyung: 65.83 - 67.16 Rh. Lubang Japang light intensity was: 0.4 - 4.0 Lux; Istano Basa Pagaruyung: 28 - 38 Lux. The concentration of PM2.5 at Lubang Japang: 187.45 µg / Nm3; Istano Basa Pagaruyung: 77.29 µg / Nm3. Based on this research, the humidity and the PM2.5 concentration of the research objects have the potential to spread the Covid-19.


2021 ◽  
pp. 101301
Author(s):  
J. Ramos ◽  
J. Belo ◽  
D. Silva ◽  
C. Diogo ◽  
S.M. Almeida ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Chan-Seob Park ◽  
Kyeong-Tae Jin ◽  
Yong-Ik Je ◽  
Seunghwan Wi ◽  
Sumin Kim

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