Abstract
In order to understand the characteristics and relationships between indoor and outdoor PM_(2.5) during the heating period of 2014 in Beijing, the investigation of PM_(2.5) and associated species including organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC), water soluble ions, metal elements and trace organic matter (OM) were undertaken at a residential apartment. The average PM_(2.5) concentration was 55.2 ± 47.3 μg m^(-3) for indoor and 100.4 ± 82.1 μg m^(-3) for outdoor, and the indoor PM_(2.5) was found to be mainly from outdoors. OM and (NH_4)_2SO_4 were the dominated components of PM_(2.5), accounted for 71.5% in indoor PM_(2.5) and 52.4% in outdoor PM_(2.5), followed by fine soil and NH_4NO_3 (23.7% and 27.9%). The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentration was 187.3 ng m^(-3) and 387.0 ng m^(-3), and the phthalic acid esters (PAEs) concentration reached 1054.2 ng m^(-3) and 515.3 ng m^(-3), for indoor and outdoor, respectively. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) only existed indoors (5.5 ng m^(-3)). HCB and most PAEs in indoor PM_(2.5) were dominated by indoor sources whereas other species were greatly influenced by outdoor sources especially during the pollution period.
Highlights
Fine particle (PM2.5) has attracted worldwide attention in the past few decades
HCB and most phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in indoor PM2.5 were dominated by indoor sources whereas other species were greatly influenced by outdoor sources especially during the pollution period
Considering the general facts that there exists a significant difference in air quality between indoor and outdoor, and people spend the majority of their time indoors (Jahn et al, 2013), monitoring and improving the indoor air quality is even more important
Summary
Fine particle (PM2.5) has attracted worldwide attention in the past few decades. Previous epidemiological and toxicological studies has linked PM2.5 to cardiovascularand respiratory-based disease and premature mortality on a global scale (Pope III and Dockery, 2006; Russell and Bert, 2009; Apte et al, 2015; Lelieveld et al, 2015). The capital of China, is one of the cities experiencing serious atmospheric PM2.5 pollution. In 2014, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 in Beijing reached 85.9 μg m–3, 2.5 times of the China National Ambient Air Quality Standard (35 μg m–3). In order to control the serious PM2.5 pollution, Chinese government has implemented a variety of polices and measures (Zhang et al, 2012). The characteristics, sources and control measures of PM2.5 pollution have been intensively researched in recent years (Zheng et al, 2005; Yang et al, 2011; Wang et al, 2013a; Zhang et al, 2013; Zhao et al, 2013; Huang et al, 2014). Considering the general facts that there exists a significant difference in air quality between indoor and outdoor, and people spend the majority of their time indoors (Jahn et al, 2013), monitoring and improving the indoor air quality is even more important
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