Indoor Air Quality in Domestic Environments during Periods Close to Italian COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

This paper describes the in situ monitoring of indoor air quality (IAQ) in two dwellings, using low-cost IAQ sensors to provide high-density temporal and spatial data. IAQ measurements were conducted over 2-week periods in the kitchen and bedroom of each home during the winter, spring, and summer seasons, characterized by different outside parameters, that were simultaneously measured. The mean indoor PM2.5 concentrations were about 15 μg m−3 in winter, they dropped to values close to 10 μg m−3 in spring and increased to levels of about 13 μg m−3 in summer. During the winter campaign, indoor PM2.5 was found mainly associated with particle penetration inside the rooms from outdoors, because of the high outdoor PM2.5 levels in the season. Such pollution winter episodes occur frequently in the study region, due to the combined contributions of strong anthropogenic emissions and stable atmospheric conditions. The concentrations of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO2 increased with the number of occupants (humans and pets), as likely associated with consequent higher emissions through breathing and metabolic processes. They also varied with occupants’ daily activities, like cooking and cleaning. Critic CO2 levels above the limit of 1000 ppm were observed in spring campaign, in the weeks close to the end of the COVID-19 quarantine, likely associated with the increased time that the occupants spent at home.

Long-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 incidence: a prospective study of residents in the city of Varese, Northern Italy

“…We lack data on indoor air pollution; however, during the lockdown periods some authors found a high indoor-outdoor correlation in Italy due to particle penetration from outside in conjunction with inadequate ventilation. 39 The diagnosis of COVID-19 cases followed the regional indications for being referred to a nasopharyngeal swab which were subject to modifications over time, especially during the first months after the pandemic outbreak. 2 However, we report consistent associations across different pandemic waves.…”

Indoor Air Quality and Health Outcomes in Employees Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study

“…The interest in studying the impact of COVID-19 in different settings has led to higher scrutiny of the IAQ at homes during the lockdown. A recent study conducted in Northern Italy estimated the average indoor PM 2.5 levels ranged from 8.6 to 18.7 µg/m 3 , which were higher than the outdoor PM 2.5 levels (7.4-15.4 µg/m 3 ) for a two-week study period in summer during the lockdown [4]. In a study conducted in Norway, the IAQ in home offices were evaluated for up to two weeks, and levels of CO 2 and other pollutants higher than health-based standards were detected [50].…”

“…The advent of COVID-19 caused the shift of working pattern to work from home remotely for many employees. However, homes may not be a good working environment, compared to conventional office settings with better air conditioning and ventilation systems [4]. In addition, activities performed by individuals at homes may increase indoor air pollution, contributing to more negative health issues [8].…”

“…However, there are a variety of additional sources for indoor air pollution in offices and homes. In offices, most indoor pollutants are related to building materials and human activities such as carpet and other office furniture, cleaning agents, air fresheners, paints, adhesives, printers, pesticides, and biological contaminants from poor ventilation systems or water-damaged walls [3][4][5][6]. A study conducted by Serafin et al prioritized the indoor air pollutants in office buildings and found formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene, PM 2.5 , and PM 10 as priority pollutants [7].…”

The Interplay between Housing Environmental Attributes and Design Exposures and Psychoneuroimmunology Profile—An Exploratory Review and Analysis Paper in the Cancer Survivors’ Mental Health Morbidity Context

“…It was observed that indoor particulate matter levels had an almost 3-fold increase in residential settings during and post-lockdown periods [138]. After the imposition of stringent stay-at-home policy, household volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations reached the highest values compared to other periods, as residents spent longer time in their houses while activities outside home were restarted gradually during the re-opening stage [139]. The anthropogenic VOCs emissions-related residential environments during the lockdown may have had an impact on the total ozone formation potential in different areas [140].…”