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PARTICULATE MATTER CONCENTRATIONS IN NON-RESIDENTIAL MICROENVIRONMENTS
Citation:
Zufall, M J., A H. Ozkaynak, M. Brauer, W R. Ott, J A. Ryan, AND J. D. Spengler. PARTICULATE MATTER CONCENTRATIONS IN NON-RESIDENTIAL MICROENVIRONMENTS. Presented at American Association of Aerosol Research, Tacoma, WA, October 11-15, 1999.
Description:
Exposures to airborne particulate matter (PM) have long been associated with increases in both acute and chronic human health effects. Traditionally, research and regulations have focused on outdoor air pollution. However, human activity pattern studies show that people are indoors 90% of the time, with more than 20% of that time in locations other than their home. Therefore, to assess total human exposure to particulate matter, it is necessary to determine airborne concentrations and their sources in different types of indoor microenvironments.
A literature review was conducted of studies that measured PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in various nonresidential indoor microenvironments. The results of these studies show that PM levels are different in indoor locations than outdoors depending on air handling and filtration systems and local sources. Concentrations in offices and stores are generally similar to or less than ambient levels. Measurements in restaurants and vehicles are up to 5 times greater than outdoor concentrations. The highest indoor concentrations are found in locations where environmental tobacco smoke is present. Bars and restaurants with smokers often have concentrations 7 times greater than outdoors, while smoking lounges may be up to 15 times greater.
The results of measurements in these and other microenvironments and their relationship with ambient concentrations will be used as inputs to a probabilistic model for human exposure to particulate matter. Future research needs are also identified for collecting measurements from locations where people spend significant time periods, but where limited monitoring data are currently available.
This is a proposed abstract and does not necessarily reflect U.S. EPA policy.