Residential indoor pollution by nitrogen dioxide: conference series

Abstract

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality (IAQ) is defined as air quality within and around buildings and structures and it is related to the health and comfort of building occupants. A better understanding of IAQ is essential, since people spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. The greatest amount of time spent indoors is at home, so it is important to control indoor air pollution and to reduce the risk of health effects related with indoor air pollutants exposure. The aim of this study was to determine indoor air pollution of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in different seasons and to compare indoor and outdoor NO2 concentrations. The sampling of NO2 was performed in cold, warm and intermediate seasons using passive sampling technique inside and outside of the residential houses. The results of the study showed that the average NO2 concentration in cold season was 10.5 μg/m3 and 20.0 μg/m3, respectively in indoor and outdoor air. The lowest indoor and outdoor levels of NO2 were observed in warm season, 9.7 and 11.3 μg/m3, respectively. The strongest positive relationship between indoor and outdoor concentrations of NO2 was determined in warm season.