Dynamic of Particulate Matter for Quotidian Aerosol Sources in Indoor Air

Mostafa Yuness Abdelfatah Mostafa,Michael V Zhukovsky,Hyam Nazmy Bader Khalaf

doi:10.3390/atmos12121682

Mostafa Yuness Abdelfatah Mostafa, Michael V Zhukovsky + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12121682

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Abstract

A correlation between the mass concentration of particulate matter (PM) and the occurrence of health-related problems or diseases has been confirmed by several studies. However, little is known about indoor PM concentrations, their associated risks or their impact on health. In this work, the PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 produced by different indoor aerosol sources (candles, cooking, electronic cigarettes, tobacco cigarettes, mosquito coils and incense) are studied. The purpose is to quantify the emission characteristics of different indoor particle sources. The mass concentration, the numerical concentration, and the size distribution of PM from various sources were determined in an examination room 65 m3 in volume. Sub-micrometer particles and approximations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were measured simultaneously using a diffusion aerosol spectrometer (DAS). The ultrafine particle concentration for the studied indoor aerosol sources was approximately 7 × 104 particles/cm3 (incense, mosquito coils and electronic cigarettes), 1.2 × 105 particles/cm3 for candles and cooking and 2.7 × 105 particles/cm3 for tobacco cigarettes. The results indicate that electronic cigarettes can raise indoor PM2.5 levels more than 100 times. PM1 concentrations can be nearly 55 and 30 times higher than the background level during electronic cigarette usage and tobacco cigarette burning, respectively. It is necessary to study the evaluation of indoor PM, assess the toxic potential of internal molecules and develop and test strategies to ensure the improvement of indoor air quality.

Highlights

Over the past two decades, several epidemiological and clinical studies have been conducted that indicate a relationship between exposure to particulate matter (PM) and numerous health effects [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]
The study suggests that the combustion of six different indoor sources in an indoor environment emits quite high levels of respirable PM, which may accumulate and lead to prolonged exposure
Households should have better ventilation in order to avoid a buildup of PM

Summary

Introduction

Over the past two decades, several epidemiological and clinical studies have been conducted that indicate a relationship between exposure to particulate matter (PM) and numerous health effects [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. Ultrafine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and even cross biological barriers, leading to harmful health effects due to their small size [34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48]. It has been reported that the biological effects of ultrafine particles are more clearly related to the surface area of the particles than to their mass [36,37]. Potential health effect assessments urgently need to evaluate the indoor exposure associated with a specific source emission using several complementary measures (number, mass, surface distribution, volume, and chemical composition). Regarding the toxic effects of UFPs, the relatively high concentration of particles and a large surface area allow for a greater proportion of absorbed or condensed particles to enter into tissues and the bloodstream [71,85,86,87]

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