Concentrations of PM2.5 mass and components in residential and non-residential indoor microenvironments: The Sources and Composition of Particulate Exposures study

Abstract

Although short in duration, air pollutant exposures occurring in non-residential microenvironments (MEs), including restaurants, vehicles and commercial locations, can represent a large fraction of total personal exposures. For the Sources and Composition of Particulate Exposures study, a novel compact sampling system was developed, facilitating simultaneous measurement of highly speciated PM 2.5 mass in a range of commercial and residential locations. This sampler also included 1-min measurements of PM 2.5 mass and ultrafine particle (UFP) counts. Sampling was conducted in a number of MEs (retail stores, restaurants and vehicles) throughout Atlanta. Chemically resolved particulate measurements in these locations are of interest for both exposure scientists and epidemiologists but have typically not been conducted because of logistical constraints associated with sampling these trace constituents. We present measurements from a non-random sample of locations that are limited in their generalizability but provide several promising hypothesis-generating results. PM 2.5 mass concentrations greater than 100 mg/m 3 , and UFPs410 5 particles /cm 3 were measured during several events in the restaurant and vehicle. Somewhat unexpectedly, the grocery store ME, along with the restaurant and vehicle, also had the highest levels of elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC) and most elements. In-vehicle concentrations of soil-related elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K and Ti) and auto-related elements (EC, OC, Zn and Cu) were higher than those measured at a central ambient site. The lowest concentrations for most pollutants were found in the hospital and retail locations. It is questionable whether periodic, high PM concentrations in the grocery store and restaurant pose health risks for customers; however, individuals working in these locations may be exposed to levels of concern.

Trace metals in size-fractionated particulate matter in a Portuguese hospital: exposure risks assessment and comparisons with other countries

“…From the available studies that are summarized in Table 2, only two of them (Brown et al 2012;Wang et al 2006a) presented results concerning PM composition. In Atlanta, USA, Brown et al (2012) analyzed elemental compositions of PM2.5 in various microenvironments including one hospital. However, only limited results are presented for the hospital and with all data presented in plots.…”

“…However, information concerning PM levels in hospitals is limited (and non-existent in Portugal). Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge on PM trace metals in these environments (Brown et al 2012;Wang et al 2006a) and the associated health impacts. Considering the importance of the hospital to public health, further studies are necessary in order to fully assess the risks of particulate exposures and related toxicity in the respective environments.…”

Ventilation and indoor air quality in retail stores: A critical review (RP-1596)

“…Indoor particulate matter concentrations in retail spaces was reported in 11 articles (Grimsrud et al 1999;Li et al 2001;Rea et al 2001;Sakai et al 2002;Liu et al 2004;Lee and Hsu 2007;Bennett et al 2011;Maskey et al 2011;Chan et al 2012;Brown et al 2012;Dong et al 2013). Of those studies, five studies reported PM 10 , eight studies reported PM 2.5 , one study reported PM 1 , and one study reported particle with attached polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAH) mass concentrations.…”

“…Of those studies, five studies reported PM 10 , eight studies reported PM 2.5 , one study reported PM 1 , and one study reported particle with attached polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAH) mass concentrations. Additionally, Lee and Hsu (2007) Bennett et al (2011), andBrown et al (2012) reported ultrafine or a proxy for ultrafine (submicron, sub-3 μm) number concentrations. Also, one study reported chemical analysis of fine and coarse particles (Maskey et al 2011).…”

“…These two studies reported an average PM 10 mass concentration for the 15 retail stores of 24.3 μg/m 3 . Using data from Grimsrud et al (1999), Rea et al (2001), Bennett et al (2011), Brown et al (2012, and Chan et al (2012), the average PM 2.5 mass concentration calculated for U.S. retail sites is 11.6 μg/m 3 . Approximately half of all the stores tested had an indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratio larger or equal to 1, while the remaining stores had I/O ratio less than 1.…”