A screening assessment of emissions of volatile organic compounds and particles from heated indoor dust samples

Abstract

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.

Ultrafine particle concentrations and exposures in six elementary school classrooms in northern California

“…Based on this observation, it is possible that the particle emissions during this initial use of the heater resulted from the volatilization or pyrolysis of months of deposited semivolatile vapors or dust on the heating coils, leaving no materials to be emitted when the heater was subsequently used. Pedersen et al. (2003) have reported particle emissions resulting from heated dust.…”

Review of research on air-conditioning systems and indoor air quality control for human health

“…Furthermore, the dust accumulating on hot surfaces (e.g., heaters and light fixtures) is likely to emit chemicals when heated. Pedersen et al (2001Pedersen et al ( , 2003 compared the emission characteristics of VOCs during heating of different dust samples relevant to the indoor environment. Emissions of VOCs from heated dust from different sources were surprisingly similar.…”

Heating of indoor dust causes reduction in its ability to stimulate release of IL-8 and TNFalpha in vitro compared to non-heated dust

“…Indoor dust may settle on equipment that are heated during the intended use, e.g., electric heaters, light fixtures and electrical appliances. The temperature of electric heaters range from 80 to 300°C or more (Amundsen, 1992; Frydenlund, personal communication), and the surface temperature of light fixture is often in the range 110–160°C (Pedersen et al., 2003). The use of electric heating in residents is assumed to influence the health of occupants, suggestively by the release of submicron particles from heated dust (Krafthefer and MacPhaul, 1990; Raunemaa and Sammaljärvi, 1993; Sammaljärvi and Raunemaa, 1990).…”

“…We have previously shown that the heating of indoor dust will cause emission of a range of substances and that changes in composition and physical properties of the dust will occur (Pedersen et al., 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003). During heating of dust samples in our laboratory hot‐surface model, three fractions are generated: (i) the remains of the heated dust sample, denoted residuals, (ii) the emissions volatile at room temperature, and (iii) the condensate, condensed vapors of emissions.…”