Study on Indoor and Outdoor Fine Particle Exposure Level, Bacterial Composition, and Diversity in a Severe Cold Region of China

Abstract

As there is a frequent occurrence of haze during the heating season in China’s severely cold regions, the environmental parameters of the three types of buildings in Daqing were monitored to investigate the concentration and exposure level of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). The short-term exposure levels of PM2.5for people of different ages and genders were analyzed. The composition and diversity of bacteria were analyzed using 16S rDNA technology. The results showed that the average PM2.5 concentrations of office buildings were higher than that of residential buildings, which was then higher than that of teaching buildings in Daqing. The exposure level of adults in urban areas was 12.0% higher than those in rural areas. Children had almost the same overall exposure. The potential comprehensive dose and its average dose for adults in urban areas were higher than those in rural areas, and the number of males was higher than females. The risk of exposure increased with age and was higher for males than females. Among the three types of buildings in Daqing, the main bacteria were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In the same type of buildings, the total number of bacteria was higher outdoors than indoors and the alpha diversity of bacteria was higher outdoors than indoors. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers