Investigation Of Air Quality Research Articles

Microclimate and air quality investigation in historic hilly urban areas: Experimental and numerical investigation in central Italy

Outdoor environmental comfort strongly affects the quality of life and depends on local microclimate phenomena. However, impact of local boundaries is still weakly studied in hilly urban historical layouts. Local microclimate variability and its influence on pedestrians’ comfort in selected hilly historical urban areas with varying local boundaries in term of vegetation, surface materials, urban density, and air quality, is investigated. To this aim, a field monitoring is carried out during summer in hilly dense built environment and numerical analysis is performed. Monitoring campaigns show how higher density and surface roughness in the urban historical area reduce daily temperature fluctuation up to 3°C, with higher night temperatures. Temperature discrepancies up to 5°C are detected compared to suburban greener area. Moreover, inverse correlation between sky-view factor and nighttime cooling is registered, with mean temperature variation up to 6.6°C. Numerical analysis shows different thermal comfort conditions within the same district, due to different local boundaries in terms of sky-view factor and surface materials properties. Maximum Predicted Mean Vote difference of 0.6 is detected in the same area. Findings demonstrate how impact of local boundaries needs to be accurately investigated, when analyzing quality of outdoor urban environment, to realistically predict citizens’ outdoor thermal conditions.

Investigation of indoor air quality at urban schools in Qatar

Information about indoor conditions of classrooms in Qatari schools is very scarce and availability of indoor air quality (IAQ) data is important as children are vulnerable to health hazards and spend long times in classrooms. Therefore, IAQ was investigated in 16 mechanically ventilated schools in Qatar during the winter season. Parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) were measured indoors and outdoors simultaneously. High indoor CO2 and PM concentrations were found in many classrooms and exceeded the ASHRAE standard and US-EPA air quality standards as there are currently no established IAQ standards in Qatar. The mean indoor CO2 concentration in all classrooms was 1776 ± 887 ppm with mean indoor/outdoor ratio of 3.89 ± 2.03. The mean indoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 93.2 ± 42.4 µg/m3 and 60.1 ± 28.8 µg/m3, respectively. High indoor PM concentrations were found to be highly influenced by outdoor levels. Mean indoor/outdoor ratios for PM10 and PM2.5 in all classrooms were 0.87 ± 0.43 and 0.80 ± 0.34, respectively. The current study also identified many factors associated with increased indoor levels of PM. According to results of this study, some recommendations were suggested to reduce exposure of school children to high indoor levels of these pollutants as well as to provide comfortable learning environments.

Investigations of indoor air quality of large department store buildings in China based on field measurements

This paper presents a large-scale field studies on the indoor air pollution in large multi-storey department store buildings in seven Chinese metropolitan cities. From the year 2013–2015, nine buildings equipped with centralized air-conditioning system were carefully selected for the onsite test. Results show that each building has diverse indoor thermal environment and concentrations of CO2, formaldehyde and TVOC. Mean concentrations of CO2, formaldehyde and TVOC in the measured buildings range from 560 to 997 ppm, 0.02–0.31 mg/m3 and 0.074–0.636 mg/m3 respectively. The highest rates of exceeding the standard limit in the tested buildings were found as 36.8% of CO2, 53.2% of formaldehyde and 40.3% of TVOC. There are significant correlations between indoor and outdoor concentrations of CO2, formaldehyde and TVOC. The pollutant concentrations are different in different merchandise sections. Furthermore, significant differences and colorations of the pollution concentration are revealed between that of aboveground and underground floors. A mathematical model for the calculation of the increment of fresh air for the underground floors of a department store building is proposed based on the theoretical analysis and the assumption of steady-state airflow condition. This model provides quantitative relations of a required amount of additional fresh air of the underground floor referencing to the aboveground floor of the same building. Based on this research, it is recommended that the factors of space functionality and usage as well as the location of under-aboveground floors of the department stores should be taken into account in the design and operation of the HVAC systems.

Investigation of Air Quality beside a Municipal Landfill: The Fate of Malodour Compounds as a Model VOC

This paper presents the results of an investigation on ambient air odour quality in the vicinity of a municipal landfill. The investigations were carried out during the spring–winter and the spring seasons using two types of the electronic nose instrument. The field olfactometers were employed to determine the mean odour concentration, which was from 2.1 to 32.2 ou/m3 depending on the measurement site and season of the year. In the case of the investigation performed with two types of the electronic nose, a classification of the ambient air samples with respect to the collection site was carried out using the k-nearest neighbours (kNN) algorithm supported with the cross-validation method. Correct classification of the ambient air samples collected during the spring–winter season was at the level from 71.9% to 87.5% and from 84.4% to 94.8% for the samples collected during the spring season depending on the electronic nose type utilized in the studies. It was also revealed that the kNN algorithm applied for classification of the samples exhibited better discrimination abilities than the algorithms of the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and quadratic discriminant function (QDA) type. Performed seasonal investigations proved the ability of the electronic nose to discriminate the ambient air samples differing in odorants’ concentration and collection site.

Measuring vapor intrusion: from source science politics to a transdisciplinary approach

Investigation of indoor air quality has been on the upswing in recent years. In this article, we focus on how the transport of subsurface vapors into indoor air spaces, a process known as ‘vapor intrusion’, (VI) is defined and addressed. For environmental engineers and physical scientists who specialize in this emerging indoor environmental exposure science, VI is notoriously difficult to characterize, leading the regulatory community to seek improved science-based understandings of VI pathways and exposures. Yet despite the recent growth in VI science and competition between environmental consulting companies, VI studies have largely overlooked the social and political field in which VI problems emerge and are experienced by those at risk. To balance and inform current VI studies, this article explores VI science and policy and develops a critique of what we call ‘source science politics’. Drawing inspiration from the creative synthesis of social and environmental science/engineering perspectives, the article offers a transdisciplinary approach to VI that highlights collaboration with social scientists and impacted communities and cultivates epistemic empathy.

Investigation of indoor air quality in shopping malls during summer in Western China using subjective survey and field measurement

Thermal parameters and concentrations of CO2, TVOC and formaldehyde were monitored in shopping malls in four western cities in China during summer. Simultaneously, questionnaire subjective surveys were carried out to investigate the indoor perception of air quality and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) among staffs in the shopping malls. It was found that stuffy odor had significant correlation with the overall odors perception and staff in the shopping malls had noticeable SBS. Instrument measurement showed that mall C had higher pollution levels of TVOC, while formaldehyde concentrations were higher in mall X and L. Pollution level in the malls is influenced by many factors, and three factors (customer density, ventilation conditions, emission characteristic of merchandise) were discussed in the analysis of data from the four malls. For customer density, the concentrations of CO2 on weekends were higher than on weekdays. Daily CO2 concentration was positively correlated with customer flow rate, but there was no significant strong correlation between customer flow rate and TVOC/formaldehyde concentrations. Underground floors had poorer indoor air quality than over-ground because of lack of fresh air. As for the merchandise sections, the formaldehyde in the home textile section in mall X reached 1.15 mg/m3 with an over standard rate of 83.3% due to the new merchandise added. This paper makes a contribution to knowledge relating to the reasons for discomfort in shopping malls by contributing multiple investigations on contaminants together with information on human perception and the operation of air conditioning systems within the stores.

Indoor air quality investigation of the school environment and estimated health risks: Two-season measurements in primary schools in Kozani, Greece

Two primary schools and one kindergarten were selected in the city of Kozani, Greece in order to investigate the school environment, the indoor air pollutants that children are exposed to and possible health risks at school. In each school three classrooms and one outdoor position were monitored from Monday to Friday, in both non-heating (26/09/2011–14/10/2011) and heating (23/01/2012–10/02/2012) period. Temperature, relative humidity and CO2, were continuously monitored. Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, pinene, limonene, NO2 and O3 were measured with diffusive samplers. CO was monitored every day (30 min/day). Radon was measured for four weeks with short term radon detectors. PM2.5 was gravimetrically determined while PM2.5 and PM10 fractions were measured using the optical light scattering technique. Building material emission testing for VOCs was performed using the Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC). The ventilation rate for each classroom was calculated based on the CO2 measurements.Results indicated that indoor air concentrations of the measured pollutants were within accepted limits with indicative ranges 1.5–9.4 μg/m3 for benzene, 2.3–28.5 μg/m3 for formaldehyde, 4.6–43 μg/m3 for NO2 and 0.1–15.6 μg/m3 for O3. Emissions from building materials seem to have a significant contribution to the indoor air quality. Very low ventilation rates (0.1–3.7 L/s per person) were observed, indicating inadequate ventilation and possible indoor air quality problems requiring intervention measures. The estimated average lifetime cancer risks for benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene were very low.

Ventilation heat recovery jointed low-temperature heating in retrofitting—An investigation of energy conservation, environmental impacts and indoor air quality in Swedish multifamily houses

Sweden is actively engaged in accelerating the sustainable transformation of existing building and energy systems. Most traditional investigations of this subject have been based on final energy savings and CO2 emission analysis, while most existing evaluation methods for energy-retrofitting have not accurately taken into account the influences of flow temperature patterns of different low-temperature heating (LTH) radiators to operational energy. In addition, comprehensive environmental impact analyses by energy systems, as well as the contributions to indoor air quality (IAQ), have not been fully achieved. Moreover, critical mapping of the sustainability of energy-efficient retrofitting have not yet been done. This omission leads to inaccuracies and misleading estimates of the benefits of LTH retrofitting from system and primary energy perspective. In order to fill these knowledge gaps, the present study evaluated two types of LTH systems combined with ventilation retrofitting, namely heat recovery jointed ventilation radiators (VRs) and baseboard radiators (BRs). A typical Swedish multi-family house was selected for retrofitting practice. This study aims at evaluating ventilation heat recovery jointed low temperature heating (VJLTH) retrofitting on energy conservation, environmental impacts and indoor air quality (IAQ) in typical Swedish multifamily houses. The compatibility of building performance and sustainability contributions were critically analyzed by delivered/primary energy usage, life cycle assessment (LCA), and IAQ modeling. IDA ICE (indoor climate and energy simulation program), SimaPro (LCA environmental impact modeling program), analytical model and on-site measurement data provided by both radiator and heat pump manufactures were employed. The results showed that the studied VJLTH retrofitting can save up to 55% of the final energy. And the corresponding primary energy savings are more than 25%. Compared with conventional radiators, low-temperature heating radiators can improve the COP by 12–18% for air-source heat pumps. The studied retrofit can positively contribute 11 of 16 environmental indicators, 7 of which had environmental impacts reduced by more than 50%. However, neglecting the indicators with negative impacts will increase the risk of over-representing the environmental contributions. The sustainability improvements of retrofitting, particularly for future large-scale implementation, should be critically evaluated from a broader perspective than final energy savings.

Twelve-year trends in ambient concentrations of volatile organic compounds in a community of the Alberta Oil Sands Region, Canada

Environmental exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air is one of a number of concerns that the First Nation Community of Fort McKay, Alberta has related to development of Canada's oil sands. An in-depth investigation of trends in ambient air VOC levels in Fort McKay was undertaken to better understand the role and possible significance of emissions from Alberta's oil sands development. A non-parametric trend detection method was used to investigate trends in emissions and ambient VOC concentrations over a 12-year (2001−2012) period. Relationships between ambient VOC concentrations and production indicators of oil sands operations around Fort McKay were also examined. A weak upward trend (significant at 90% confidence level) was found for ambient concentrations of total VOCs based on sixteen detected species with an annual increase of 0.64μg/m3 (7.2%) per year (7.7μg/m3 increase per decade). Indicators of production (i.e., annual bitumen production and mined oil sands quantities) were correlated with ambient total VOC concentrations. Only one of 29 VOC species evaluated (1-butene) showed a statistically significant upward trend (p=0.05). Observed geometric (arithmetic) mean and maximum ambient concentrations of selected VOCs of public health concern for most recent three years of the study period (2010−2012) were below chronic and acute health risk screening criteria of the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Thirty-two VOCs are recommended for tracking in future air quality investigations in the community to better understand whether changes are occurring over time in relation to oil sands development activities and to inform policy makers about whether or not these changes warrant additional attention.

Investigation of IAQ in Mechanically Ventilated Kindergartens and Elementary Schools in Korea

This study investigates the indoor pollutant levels in school buildings according to the operation of mechanical ventilation system. Three classrooms at two different elementary schools and four classrooms at two children's day care center in Korea were chosen for investigation of indoor air quality with mechanical ventilation systems. Measurements were conducted for particulate matter, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, radon, and total bacteria counts. Differences in indoor pollutants concentrations with and without operation of ventilation systems in each classroom were analyzed. The results show that operation of ventilation systems could decrease the levels of indoor pollutants in the classrooms, especially showing the reduction of HCHO concentrations by 14.9-62.3%. representative samples in Singapore. This study reported that indoor CO 2 concentration levels were lower in Singapore child care centers when compared to child care centers from other cold climate countries due to the higher ventilation rate of child care centers in Singapore. St-Jean et al. (11) have assessed indoor air quality in 21 day care centers in Montreal, Canada and determined association between building characteristics and IAQ. They reported that over 85% of the day care centers had a mean CO 2 concentration higher than 1000 ppm. The mean formaldehyde concentration was 22.9 µg/m 3 . They also reported that the presence of a mechanical ventilation system and a large surface of play are per child were significantly associated with lower CO 2 levels. Chitra and Nagendra (4) have investigated indoor air quality parameters in a naturally ventilated school building located near an urban roadway in India. This study reported that the mean value of indoor PM 10 , PM 2.5 , PM 1 and CO concentrations were found to be 149 ± 69, 61 ± 29, 43 ± 24, 0.10 ± 0.18 and 95 ± 61, 32 ± 16, 18 ± 9 µg/m 3 , 0.11 ± 0.14 ppm, respectively for winter and summer seasons. Norback et al. (12) have studied the relationship between VOCs, respirable dust, and personal factors to prevalence and incidence of sick building syndrome in six primary schools. They reported that the average CO 2 concentrations in all sites were greater than 800 ppm and indicated inadequate ventilation. Lee and Chang (13) investigated IAQ of five classrooms in Hong Kong. This study showed that the average respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) concentrations were higher than the Hong Kong air quality objective (annual average, 55 µg/m 3

An investigation of indoor air quality, thermal comfort and sick building syndrome symptoms in UK energy efficient homes

Purpose – Concern of the deterioration of indoor environmental quality as a result of energy efficient building design strategies is growing. Apprehensions of the effect of airtight, super insulated envelopes, the reduction of infiltration, and the reliance on mechanical systems to provide adequate ventilation (air supply) is promoting emerging new research in this field. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort investigation in UK energy efficient homes, through a case study investigation. Design/methodology/approach – The case study dwellings consisted of a row of six new-build homes which utilize mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems, are built to an average airtightness of 2m3/m2/hr at 50 Pascal’s, and constructed without a central heating system. Physical IAQ measurements and occupant interviews were conducted during the summer and winter months over a 24-hour period, to gain information on occupant activities, perception of the interior environment, building-related health and building use. Findings – The results suggest inadequate IAQ and perceived thermal comfort, insufficient use of purge ventilation, presence of fungal growth, significant variances in heating patterns, occurrence of sick building syndrome symptoms and issues with the MVHR system. Practical implications – The findings will provide relevant data on the applicability of airtight, mechanically ventilated homes in a UK climate, with particular reference to IAQ. Originality/value – IAQ data of this nature is essentially lacking, particularly in the UK context. The findings will aid the development of effective sustainable design strategies that are appropriate to localized climatic conditions and sensitive to the health of building occupants.

Effective utilization of tracer gas in characterization of underground mine ventilation networks

Tracer gases are an effective method for assessing mine ventilation systems, especially when other techniques are impractical. Based on previously completed laboratory and field experiments, this paper discusses some common and challenging issues encountered when using tracer gases in underground mines. The discussion includes tracer release methods, sampling and analysis techniques. Additionally, the use of CFD to optimize the design of tracer gas experiments is also presented. Finally, guidelines and recommendations are provided on the use of tracer gases in the characterization of underground mine ventilation networks. This work has informed the practical use of tracer gases in mines, and this body of knowledge is expected to contribute to more efficient and more common use of tracer gases by mine engineers, which will allow for better characterization of mine ventilation system and improved safety. The findings can also be used when using the tracer gas technique in the evaluation of atmospheric environment and air quality investigation in buildings.

Investigation of Air Quality in the Underground and Aboveground Multi-Storey Car Parks in Terms of Exhaust Emissions

Exhaust emissions resulting from the motor vehicles have harmful and long lasting effects on both the human health and environment. Especially increasing concentrations of exhaust emissions in the closed environments and in the environments that cannot be sufficiently ventilated can cause damage on the human health and lead even to the death. The main harmful exhaust emissions based on the motor vehicles are gases such as CO (carbon dioxide), HC (hydrocarbons), and NOx (nitrogen oxides). In the circumstances of remaining under the influence of these gases, all the systems of the human body are generally get harmed. Therefore, the exhaust emission maps of the areas where there are the harmful exhaust emission concentrations in the high level, and the discharge methods of these gases in a very short space of time must be. In this study, the emission measurements have been carried out in four underground and five aboveground multi-storey car parks located in Istanbul. The effects on the human health of the measured fields were studied by the use of the results of the performed measurements, by comparing them with the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) and the threshold limit value - time weighed average (TLV – TWA) values. Taking into consideration all of the measurement results in the under-ground and above-ground multi-storey car parks, it is determined that the short-term use of the measured fields do not pose any risks in terms of human health. The suggestions regarding the improvement works of the car-parks were presented.

Case study investigation of indoor air quality in mechanically ventilated and naturally ventilated UK social housing

There is a significant lack of indoor air quality research in low energy homes. This study compared the indoor air quality of eight newly built case study homes constructed to similar levels of air-tightness and insulation; with two different ventilation strategies (four homes with Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems/Code level 4 and four homes naturally ventilated/Code level 3). Indoor air quality measurements were conducted over a 24 h period in the living room and main bedroom of each home during the summer and winter seasons. Simultaneous outside measurements and an occupant diary were also employed during the measurement period. Occupant interviews were conducted to gain information on perceived indoor air quality, occupant behaviour and building related illnesses. Knowledge of the MVHR system including ventilation related behaviour was also studied. Results suggest indoor air quality problems in both the mechanically ventilated and naturally ventilated homes, with significant issues identified regarding occupant use in the social homes.

Ambient Air Quality in China: The Impact of Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants on IAQ

China faces serious air quality challenges in both outdoor and indoor environments due to particularly high levels of air pollution where maximum values greatly exceed current air quality standards. Ambient air pollution significantly increases both morbidity and mortality in the general population and there is strong support of the link between pollutant exposure and the risk of mortality. Removal of irritating and noxious gases and foul odors along with respirable particulate matter are major requirements for any air cleaning system to protect people and assure good indoor air quality. Enhanced air cleaning devices are available that combine leading-edge air cleaning technologies to effectively remove common air pollutants including PM10, PM2.5, formaldehyde, O3, SO2, NO2, and volatile organic compounds. A discussion of the results of air quality investigations in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou and the results of testing performed on air cleaning devices employing integrated air cleaning technologies will be presented.

Fifteen-year trends in criteria air pollutants in oil sands communities of Alberta, Canada

An investigation of ambient air quality was undertaken at three communities within the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) of Alberta, Canada (Fort McKay, Fort McMurray, and Fort Chipewyan). Daily and seasonal patterns and 15-year trends were investigated for several criteria air pollutants over the period of 1998 to 2012. A parametric trend detection method using percentiles from frequency distributions of 1h concentrations for a pollutant during each year was used. Variables representing 50th, 65th, 80th, 90th, 95th and 98th percentile concentrations each year were identified from frequency distributions and used for trend analysis. Small increasing concentration trends were observed for nitrogen dioxide (<1ppb/year) at Fort McKay and Fort McMurray over the period consistent with increasing emissions of oxides of nitrogen (ca. 1000tons/year) from industrial developments. Emissions from all oil sands facilities appear to be contributing to the trend at Fort McKay, whereas both emissions from within the community (vehicles and commercial) and oil sands facility emissions appear to be contributing to the trend at Fort McMurray. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from industrial developments in the AOSR were unchanged during the period (101,000±7000tons/year; mean±standard deviation) and no meaningful trends were judged to be occurring at all community stations. No meaningful trends occurred for ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at all community stations and carbon monoxide at one station in Fort McMurray. Air quality in Fort Chipewyan was much better and quite separate in terms of absence of factors influencing criteria air pollutant concentrations at the other community stations.

Aerosol distribution during open suctioning and long-term surveillance of air quality in a respiratory care center within a medical center.

The investigation of hospital air quality has been conducted in wards, ICUs, operating theaters, and public areas. Few studies have assessed air quality in respiratory care centers (RCCs), especially in mechanically ventilated patients with open suctioning. The RCC air quality indices (temperature, relative humidity, levels of CO2, total volatile organic compounds, particulate matter [PM], bacteria, and fungi) were monitored over 1 y. The air around the patient's head was sampled during open suctioning to examine the probability of bioaerosol exposure affecting health-care workers. This investigation found that the levels of indoor air pollutants (CO2, PM, bacteria, and fungi) were below the indoor air quality standard set by the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency. Meanwhile, the levels of total volatile organic compounds sometimes exceeded the indoor air quality standard, particularly in August. The identified bacterial genera included Micrococcus species, Corynebacterium species, and Staphylococcus species, and the predominant fungal genera included yeast, Aspergillus species, Scopulariopsis species, and Trichoderma species. Additionally, airborne PM2.5, PM1, and bacteria were clearly raised during open suctioning in mechanically ventilated patients. This phenomenon demonstrated that open suctioning may increase the bacterial exposure risk of health-care workers. RCC air quality deserves long-term monitoring and evaluation. Health-care workers must implement self-protection strategies during open suctioning to ensure their occupational health and safety in health-care settings.

A study of indoor air quality investigations in B.C health authorities

&#x0D; Canadians spend 90 percent of their lifetime indoors and are currently aware that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can negatively impact human health. If there are any IAQ problems, the Health Authorities will conduct IAQ investigations to respond to the complainants or resolve the conflicts. An online survey to Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and specialists was used to understand the frequencies that B.C. Health Authorities conduct IAQ investigations, the locations Health Authorities encountered most IAQ queries, the different types of pollutants that IAQ instruments are used for and the preference for instruments chosen. Five common indoor air pollutants, such as mould, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, particulate matters (PMs), CO and CO2, were chosen and the Chi-Square test was used to analyze the data in this study. This study showed that most EHOs had never conducted IAQ investigations since they had worked in the B. C Health Authorities. Mould problems between landlord and tenant were EHOs mostly encountered. The study found that EHOs referred to other agencies or consultants when they received complaints. The data showed that the method of managing IAQ problems was associated with the Health Authorities because few EHOs from Vancouver Coastal Health indicated they had used equipment to conduct IAQ investigations. The mostly encountered location and frequency of conducting radon investigations were significantly associated with the Health Authorities due to an on-going project in Northern Authority. Most EHOs and specialists had shown that they educated public regarding to the information of IAQ instead of monitoring the IAQ pollutants. The results of this study indicate that EHOs did not get involved in IAQ investigations often and also showed that mould problems were the mostly encountered IAQ problems between the Health Authorities. The most important role of EHOs and specialists in this area is to educate public to solve or prevent IAQ problems.&#x0D;

Investigation of indoor and outdoor air quality of the classrooms at a school in Serbia

The air inside schools can be more polluted than the air outside. The purpose of this study was to investigate the air quality in primary school placed in town at the east of Serbia. The characterization of air pollution concentration was performed with main goal to determine relationship between indoor and outdoor air pollution within five classrooms. The measurements were conducted continuously in indoor and outdoor environment for period of 10 days. The standard sampling and analytical methods were applied (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry). This paper presents and analyses concentrations of different physical and chemical pollutants in the indoor and outdoor environment: respirable particulate matter with different diameters (up to 2.5 μm and 10 μm), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in particulate matters up to 10 μm, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, ozone, carbon-dioxide and nitric-dioxide. It was found, in one class, that the concentration of particulate matter with diameter up to 10 and 2.5 microns as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in particulate matters up to 10 μm were higher in indoor environment than in outdoor. The average value of formaldehyde in all classrooms was significantly higher than recommended value. On the basis of received results, extensive school renovation program can be recommended.

Biomonitoring of atmospheric trace elements in agricultural areas and a former uranium mine

AbstractMost biomonitoring studies worldwide have evaluated the air quality in industrial and urban areas, and even in mining areas to a lesser extent. However, air quality investigations in agricultural areas are scarce. In the present study, the trace metal accumulation and physiological response of the biomonitor