Abstract
ABSTRACT Because people spend the majority of the day indoors, it is important to evaluate indoor air, especially airborne particulate matter (PM), for its potential health effects. However, collecting milligram-sized samples of indoor PM, which are necessary for detailed chemical and biological assays, remains challenging because of the noise, power requirements, and size of traditional PM samplers. Therefore, we developed a novel method of collection using an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Laboratory experiments were conducted to characterize the ESP collection efficiency (41–65%) and PM recovery (50–95%) for three aerosol types. After characterization, the ESPs were deployed in 21 homes in eastern Iowa for 30 days, during which they collected 6–87 mg of indoor PM. The samples were acid digested and subsequently analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for their magnesium, aluminum, vanadium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, and lead content. Crustal metals (magnesium, iron, and aluminum), ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 ng mg–1 in concentration, contributed the largest mass fractions of the PM. The relative abundances of the metals were similar between homes, although the PM mass fractions were highly variable. This ESP sampling method can be applied in future studies to collect milligram-sized quantities of indoor PM, enabling a detailed analysis of its composition and potential health effects.
Highlights
The adverse health effects of exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) depend on its chemical composition and physical characteristics (Kim et al, 2015)
Characterization of electrostatic precipitator (ESP) Performance From the four ESPs considered for the collection of indoor PM (Table S1), the O-Ion B-1000 was selected because of its small size, low cost, removable carbon filter and UV-C light, quiet fans, and removable collection electrode
The limit of ozone exposure set from National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) is 0.070 ppm over 8 hours, and exceedance of this concentration can cause various health effects: coughing, deep pain in the respiratory tract, shortness of breath, and increased susceptibility to lung disease (U.S PEA, 1982; Lippmann, 2012)
Summary
The adverse health effects of exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) depend on its chemical composition and physical characteristics (Kim et al, 2015). Essential elements like iron can support the growth of bacteria in the lung, contributing to bacterial respiratory infections due to reduced antimicrobial function that hinder airway innate immunity (Bullen et al, 2005; Ghio, 2009). Metals such as nickel, lead, and copper cause inflammatory stress, while vanadium and manganese are toxic and have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system (Duvall et al, 2008; Antonini et al, 2010; Cortijo et al, 2010). Finding a means of affordable, inconspicuous collection of milligram-scale quantities of indoor PM is the focus of this study
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