This paper characterizes and compares emissions during heating of different dust samples relevant to the indoor environment. Characterization includes emission of volatile organic compounds when dust samples were heated to 150 and 250 degrees C (gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer), weight loss during heating to 450 degrees C (thermogravimetric analysis), and the number of particles emitted during heating towards 200 degrees C (condensation nucleus counting). Element analyses were performed for non-heated dust (inductively coupled plasma discharge instrument). Emissions of volatile organic compounds from heated dust from different sources were surprisingly similar. However, the temperature at which the emission of volatiles started varied with the dust source. For most of the samples studied, the emissions were considerable already at 150 degrees C, and increased in number of peaks and peak area at 250 degrees C. Particle emissions started around 70 degrees C regardless of the dust source. Particle emissions seemed to be affected by the content of organic material.
Accumulation of indoor dust on electric heaters and light fixtures may produce a bad odor when switched on in the cold season and some people claim respiratory distress during such events. To investigate to what extent the residuals of heated indoor dust represent a health hazard, we measured the effect in cell cultures before and after heat treatment of the dust. The in vitro results imply that the residual dust will cause a lower proinflammatory response in the airways if suspended and inhaled compared with non-heated dust. This is partly explained by heat destruction of inflammatory components in the dust.
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