Characterization of Air Quality Problems in Five Finnish Indoor Ice Arenas

Abstract

The air quality in five Finnish ice arenas with different volumes, ventilation systems, and resurfacer power sources (propane, gasoline, electric) was monitored during a usual training evening and a standardized, simulated ice hockey game. The measurements included continuous recording of carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations, and sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Emissions from the ice resurfacers with combustion engines caused indoor air quality problems in all ice arenas. The highest 1-hour average CO and NO2 concentrations ranged from 20 to 33 mg/m3 (17 to 29 ppm) and 270 to 7440 micrograms/m3 (0.14 to 3.96 ppm), respectively. The 3-hour total VOC concentrations ranged from 150 to 1200 micrograms/m3. The highest CO and VOC levels were measured in the arena in which a gasoline-fueled resurfacer was used. The highest NO2 levels were measured in small ice arenas with propane-fueled ice resurfacers and insufficient ventilation. In these arenas, the indoor NO2 levels were about 100 times the levels measured in ambient outdoor air, and the highest 1-hour concentrations were about 20 times the national and World Health Organization (WHO) health-based air quality guidelines. The air quality was fully acceptable only in the arena with an electric resurfacer. The present study showed that the air quality problems of indoor ice arenas may vary with the fuel type of resurfacer and the volume and ventilation of arena building. It also confirmed that there are severe air quality problems in Finnish ice arenas similar to those previously described in North America.

Nitrogen Dioxide in Indoor Ice Skating Facilities: An International Survey

“…The assumption of constant NO 2 concentrations during operating hours was justified based on continuous monitoring data collected in approximately 15 rinks in Canada (M. Brauer, 1995 personal communication) and 4 rinks in Finland, 21,24 where it was observed that the NO 2 concentration generally rose to a relatively constant level after the first resurfacing in the morning and remained at this level throughout operating hours. However, the indoor NO 2 concentrations would not be expected to drop to 0 immediately after the rink is closed at night because ventilation typically is poor and maintenance operations, including resurfacing and ice edging, often occur after the rink is closed.…”

“…21 Berglund and colleagues presented results of a personal monitoring study of children that identified exposures in ice skating facilities in Sweden to be a major source of NO 2 exposure. 22 The measurements presented in this report describe the largest survey to date and add a total of 332 rinks to the existing database of NO 2 measurements in ice skating facilities.…”

“…In these circumstances, peak NO 2 concentrations of 1,000-4,000 ppb have been measured. 7,8,10,21,22 In this survey we assessed the public health impact of commonly occurring NO 2 levels by investigating the range of concentrations encountered in ice skating rinks under normal operating conditions.…”

Indoor Air Pollutants and the Impact on Human Health

“…Both the indoor and outdoor concentrations of NO 2 were higher in cities where at least 75% of the homes had gas stoves; for example, the mean outdoor NO 2 concentration in such gas-intensive cities was 38 ± 20 ppb, compared to 14 ± 6 ppb in cities where fewer than 25% of the households had gas stoves installed. High concentrations of NO 2 have also been measured in indoor skating rinks where the use of ice resurfacing machines powered by propane, gasoline, or diesel fuel results in significant emissions (e.g., Brauer & Spengler, 1994;Brauer et al, 1997;Pennanen et al, 1997). Mean concentrations of NO 2 of ~200 ppb have been reported, with some rinks having concentrations up to 3 ppm!…”

The choice of the scheme of air distribution from ventilation and air-conditioning systems in the hall of the small indoor ice rink

“…Выше градиент заметно уменьшается, распределение температуры определяется воздушными течениями общего объема, более интенсивными, чем в объеме бортов. Такая картина распределения температурных полей типична для крытых ледовых объектов [2,3]. Основная цель сохранения в относительном покое воздушных масс, граничащих с ледовой поверхностью -уменьшение интенсивности тепло-массообменных процессов льда с воздухом c уменьшением нагрузки на систему холодоснабжения, обеспечивающую поддержание льда, а также более продолжительному сохранению высокого качества ледовой поверхности.…”