Indoor-outdoor air pollution relations: particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) in homes of asthmatics

Abstract

Concentrations of particulate matter are typically measured at fixed-site sampling locations selected to provide representative measurements of pollutant levelsin a given geographic area. These fixed-site monitors, however, may not adequately measure exposure of humans to particles; and among the major air pollutants, particles less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) have received relatively little attention in indoor-outdoor and personal exposure studies. These particles reach the deepest airways and are also known to contain a number of compounds including sulfates, nitrates and carcinogens. In order to investigate the relationship between indoor and outdoor PM10 mass concentrations, a pilot investigation was conducted in 10 homes, 9 with resident asthmatics, in southern California. Sampling was conducted using PM10 and cyclone samplers inside and outside of each home with particle collection of Teflon filters. Mass was determined gravimetrically and mass concentrations were determined by pre- and post-sampling flow checks using a calibrated rotameter. PM10 and cyclone masses were reproducibly measured, as determined with paired field samples and laboratory pretesting. PM10 and cyclone masses were well correlated ( R 2=0.89, n=27) with slightly more mass found on the PM10 samplers, as expected. In the homes of non-smokers and asthmatics surveyed in this study, indoor concentrations were consistently lower than outdoor concentrations (ratio of PM10 indoor/outdoor medians=0.70; ratio of cyclone indoor/outdoor medians=0.79). Indoor cyclone concentrations were moderately correlated with outdoor concentrations ( R 2=0.56), indicating that much of the variation of indoor concentrationswas driven by variation in ambient concentration. The indoor concentrations of PM10 were less well correlated to outdoor PM10 ( R 2=0.34), presumably due to larger size particles or different chemical characteristics of PM10 compared to cyclone-collected particles. When data from the non-asthmatic's homes were removed, the correlations between indoor and outdoor concentrations were increased. The homes of these non-smokers and asthmatics afforded some protection from higher outdoor concentrations of particles less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter.