Particulate matter analysis in indoor environments of urban and rural primary schools using passive sampling methodology

Abstract

h i g h l i g h t sPassive sampling methodology for particulate matter in indoors is proposed. Autumn was the season that presented higher particle masses concentrations. Calcium is the major indoor PM component in rural and urban classrooms. Soil re-suspension, traffic and chalk are the main sources of indoor PM. Natural ventilation is a major contributor to the variability of indoor PM. a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c tPassive sampling methodology was applied to collect particulate matter (PM) in classrooms of urban and rural primary schools. The samples were taken during a year by passive deposition allowing the study of seasonal variability of the particles masses and chemical content. Chemical characterization of the collected particles was performed in order to measure its soluble ions content and elemental composition. To identify the main polluting sources, correlations between parameters and enrichment factors were studied. Higher particle masses concentrations were registered in autumn, with a mean of 1.54 AE 0.74 mg day À1 cm À2 . The major element in the collected particles was calcium, representing 63e73% of the analyzed mass of the particles inside the urban classrooms. In the rural cluster, calcium remained the major component but with a slight lower contribution to the overall particles composition (42e46%). The calcium source was hypothesized to be the chalk used in the blackboards of the classrooms due to a strong correlation found between Ca 2þ and SO 4 2À . Soil re-suspension, traffic and other anthropogenic emission sources were also identified. Analysis showed enrichment of the particles with Br, Ca, Zn and Sb in the urban cluster and enrichment of the same elements, except for Ca, in the rural cluster. The comparison between the results from both clusters allowed the identification of classrooms with higher particles concentrations that can indicate potential indoor air quality problems (reflected by an indoor accumulation of pollutants).

Characterizing the fungal and bacterial microflora and concentrations in fitness centres

“…The main source of Gram-negative bacteria is from settled dust, 70 brought into fitness centres by users, with the concentration of indoor particles affected by the levels of human occupancy. 41,71,72 Contamination can also be caused by outdoor particles due to the high prevalence of Gram-negative cocci. The second most prevalent bacterial phenotype was the Gram-positive, catalase positive cocci, appearing indoors in all the three studied gymnasiums.…”

The Survey on the Physical School Environmental Health Conditions in Kazeroon From 2013 to 2014: An Analytical Descriptive Study

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“…Therefore, it is very important to observe all the school regulation in relation to the quality of health. In fact, schools are the environments for developing the personalities of students, where students spend most of their time (2)(3)(4).…”

Exposure and dose assessment to particle components among an elderly population

“…Despite the importance of healthy air in Elderly Care Centers, IAQ studies have been focused mainly on schools (e.g. Canha et al, 2014aCanha et al, , 2013Canha et al, , 2012aPegas et al, 2011a,b;Canha et al, 2011Canha et al, , 2010Pegas et al, 2010); homes (e.g. Osman et al, 2007), offices (e.g.…”