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ASSESSMENT OF OUTDOOR, INDOOR, AND PERSONAL PM CONCENTRATION DIFFERENCES BY CONTINUOUS MONITORING
Citation:
LaRosa, L., T J. Buckley, C HowardReed, AND L A. Wallace. ASSESSMENT OF OUTDOOR, INDOOR, AND PERSONAL PM CONCENTRATION DIFFERENCES BY CONTINUOUS MONITORING. Presented at Air and Waste Management Association Meeting, Charleston, SC, January 25-28, 2000.
Impact/Purpose:
The main objective is to investigate human exposure to fine and coarse particles (and PAHs) from several important sources such as cooking, woodsmoke, and household cleaning. A second objective is to investigate the observed increased personal exposure (compared to indoor air concentrations measured by a fixed monitor) to particles: the so-called "personal cloud," that has been observed in many occupational and some environmental studies. A third objective is to incorporate the findings into a mass-balance indoor air quality model.
Description:
Many sources and factors affect the particle concentrations inside a home, often causing indoor PM concentrations to be higher than outdoors. Furthermore, daytime personal PM exposures are, on average, 50% higher than that indicated by stationary monitoring. The increased concentration around the individual has been termed the "personal cloud". The purposes of this study were to compare the personal, indoor and outdoor PM concentrations, to further characterize the "personal cloud", and to examine the contribution of pets (two large, active dogs) and other indoor sources to indoor PM concentrations. Four MZE Data RAM personal monitors (MIE, Bedford, MA) and two to four Climets -5001 (Climet Instruments, Redlands, CA) were used to measure real-time indoor and outdoor PM concentrations at a Maryland residence for two months. To study the personal cloud, an MIE monitor was worn during indoor activities such as office work and exercising on a rowing machine. These activities allowed the comparison of PM levels during passive versus active indoor activities. Because the Climets and MIEs were operated side-by-side during data collection, the results generated by the two instruments were compared for PMIp concentrations. Preliminary results indicate that elevated indoor particle levels (2.5 to X10 pm) were detected indoors when there was human and pet activity in a room. Furthermore, levels of particles ranging in size from 5 to >l0~tm were significantly higher indoors than outdoors when there was activity inside the home. However, fine PM concentrations (0.3 to 1.0 gym) were usually higher outside, except during cooking or candle burning activities. Petting dogs and patting clothes increased the magnitude of the personal cloud. This characterization of indoor and personal PM addresses uncertainties in PM exposure and will be useful for modeling indoor
particle concentrations and designing intervention strategies.
This work has been funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. It has been subjected to Agency review and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.