Sources and Concentrations of Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide in Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Sources and concentrations of indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) were examined in Barcelona, Spain, during 1996Spain, during -1999. A total of 340 dwellings of infants participating in a hospital-based cohort study were selected from different areas of the city. Passive filter badges were used for indoor NO 2 measurement over 7-30 days. Dwelling inhabitants completed a questionnaire on housing characteristics and smoking habits. Data on outdoor NO 2 concentrations were available for the entire period of the study in the areas of the city where indoor concentrations were determined. Bivariate analysis was performed to investigate relationships between indoor NO 2 concentrations on one hand and outdoor NO 2 concentrations, housing, and occupant characteristics on the other. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed with variables that were found to have a significant bivariate relationship. Indoor NO 2 mean values ranged between 23.57 ppb in 1996 and 27.02 ppb in 1999, with the highest yearly value of 27.82 ppb in 1997. In the same time period, mean outdoor NO 2 concentration ranged between 25.26 and 25.78 ppb with a peak of 30.5 ppb in 1998. Multiple regression analysis showed that principal sources of indoor NO 2 concentrations were the use of a gas cooker, the absence of an extractor fan when cooking, and cigarette smoking. The absence of central heating was also associated with higher NO 2 concentrations. Finally, each ppb increase in outdoor NO 2 was associated with a 1% increase in indoor concentrations.

Concentrations and determinants of NO2 in homes of Ashford, UK and Barcelona and Menorca, Spain

“…Unfortunately, daily outdoor NO 2 values were not available for each of the days of indoor measurements and an extensive evaluation of outdoor contributions could not be investigated. Nonetheless, a study by Garcia‐Algar et al. (2003) showed a significant correlation between outdoor and indoor NO 2 concentrations in Barcelona confirming that outdoor pollution affects NO 2 concentrations in human dwellings.…”

“…Data on mean yearly outdoor NO 2 concentrations measured by fixed monitoring stations through a chemiluminescent analyzer (Garcia‐Algar et al., 2003) were available in the three centers.…”

Evaluating housing quality, health and safety using an Internet-based data collection and response system: a cross-sectional study

“…Data collection methods are critical to the efficiency of population studies. Questionnaire-based study methods have been used in previous studies investigating occupant health and safety [3-7]. In today's communication society, web-based methods appear to be a natural development of methodology.…”

Sources of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in New Zealand homes: findings from a community randomized controlled trial of heater substitutions

“…This finding is in agreement with many studies. Another study by García‐Algar et al. (2003) showed that, with each ppb increase in outdoor NO 2 , there was a 1% increase in indoor concentrations.…”

“…This finding is in agreement with many studies. Another study by -Algar et al (2003) showed that, with each ppb increase in outdoor NO 2 , there was a 1% increase in indoor concentrations. It should also be noted that, as the passive diffusion tubes were placed in back porches, which were quite close to the home, there could be some indoor NO 2 influencing the outdoor levels.…”