Indoor and outdoor characterisation of organic and inorganic compounds in city centre and suburban elementary schools of Aveiro, Portugal

Pegas, Priscilla; Nunes, Teresa; Alves, Célia; Silva, J.R.; Vieira, Sacha; Caseiro, Alexandre; Pio, Casimiro

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.03.059

Cited by 94 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 61 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Many studies have demonstrated that elevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations in classrooms may have a significant adverse effect on children's health and performance [36,37]. However, there are only a limited number of studies concerning the chemical properties (e.g., OC and EC) of PM in school environments in China [38][39][40].This study therefore aims to (i) characterize the indoor and outdoor OC and EC concentrations in PM2.5 and PM0.25 (PM with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 0.25 μm) in Xi'an during the end of winter 2012 at a middle school; (ii) investigate SOC mass contribution to OC and the SOC sources; and (iii) apportion TC contributions from coal combustion, motor vehicle exhaust, secondary formation, and other primary emissions. Outputs from this study may lead to better understanding about the SOC formation mechanisms of different size particles outdoors and indoors in Chinese cities experiencing serious PM pollution and to establishing source emission control strategies for particulate matter, especially for carbonaceous aerosol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Organic and Elemental Carbon in PM2.5 and PM0.25 in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of a Middle School: Secondary Formation of Organic Carbon and Sources Identification

Guinot

Shen

et al. 2015

Atmosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Secondary organic carbon (SOC) formation and its effects on human health require better understanding in Chinese megacities characterized by a severe particulate OPEN ACCESSAtmosphere 2015, 6 362 pollution and robust economic reform. This study investigated organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM2.5 and PM0.25 collected 8-20 March 2012. Samples were collected inside and outside a classroom in a middle school at Xi'an. On average, OC and EC accounted for 20%-30% of the particulate matter (PM) mass concentration. By applying the EC-tracer method, SOC's contribution to OC in both PM size fractions was demonstrated. The observed changes in SOC:OC ratios can be attributed to variations in the primary production processes, the photochemical reactions, the intensity of free radicals, and the meteorological conditions. Total carbon (TC) source apportionment by formula derivation showed that coal combustion, motor vehicle exhaust, and secondary formation were the major sources of carbonaceous aerosol. Coal combustion appeared to be the largest contributor to TC (50%), followed by motor vehicle exhaust (25%) and SOC (18%) in both size fractions.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Organic and Elemental Carbon in PM2.5 and PM0.25 in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of a Middle School: Secondary Formation of Organic Carbon and Sources Identification

Guinot

Shen

et al. 2015

Atmosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Comparatively almost nothing is known about the organic matter in particulate matter, which can encompass irritant, carcinogenic and/or mutagenic compounds. As far as we know, the organic speciation of airborne particles in schoolrooms has only been done by Pegas et al (2012a). The analysis of organic compounds in indoor environments besides schools (residences, offices or commercial spaces) was the target of a few studies (Naumova et al, 2002;Ohura et al, 2004;Johannesson et al, 2009;Jung et al, 2010;Khedidji et al, 2013;Sangiorgi et al, 2013), but these have focused on the quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to their carcinogenic potential.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor/Outdoor Relationships between PM10 and Associated Organic Compounds in a Primary School

Alves

Urban

Pegas

et al. 2014

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Airborne particulate matter (PM 10 ) samples were collected daily, indoors and outdoors, in a primary school at Aveiro, Portugal, from February 28 to May 27, 2011. The carbonaceous content (organic and elemental carbon) was determined by a thermo-optical technique. The organic speciation of PM 10 was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Mean PM 10 levels of 107 and 36 µg/m 3 were obtained in the schoolroom and outdoors, respectively. On average, organic carbon accounted for 30.0% of the mass of PM 10 indoors, whereas a lower mass fraction of 21.3% was found outdoors. The lack of correlation between indoor and outdoor organic carbon and the much higher indoor levels suggest significant contributions by indoor sources. The most abundant organic compound classes were acids, sugars, polyols and n-alkanes. Infiltration of outdoor particles leads to contamination of the schoolroom with vehicle emissions, as well as emissions related to the burning of biofuel in nearby restaurants and bakeries. However, the much higher indoor concentrations than in the outdoor air for the majority of compounds suggest that the origin of much of the particulate matter is from within the school building (due to school activities and materials, skin debris, microorganisms, and so on), and this also includes the formation of secondary organic aerosols. Based on the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a negligible cancer risk was estimated in relation to the air within the school.

show abstract

“…Therefore, it is of utmost significance to measure particle concentrations in the size fractions known to affect the human health (AbdelSalam, 2006). There are some recent studies reporting indoor and outdoor aerosol behaviour and its chemical composition (e.g., Chao and Wong, 2002;Na et al, 2004;Gemenetzis et al, 2006;Martuzevicius et al, 2008;Olson et al, 2008;Smolík et al, 2008Lai et al, 2010Saraga et al, 2010;Zhu et al, 2010;Huang et al, 2012), but only a few refer to elementary schools (Fromme et al, 2008;Almeida et al, 2012;Oeder et al, 2012;Pegas et al, 2012;Smolík et al, 2012). In the present study, the simultaneous characterisation of inhalable (< 10 µm, PM 10 ) and thoracic (< 2.5 µm, PM 2.5 ) suspended particles, along with measurements of comfort parameters, were carried out.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comfort Parameters and Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in School Classrooms and Outdoor Air

Alves

Nunes

Silva

et al. 2013

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In January 2012, one kindergarten and eight elementary school classrooms were monitored. The campaign included simultaneous measurements, indoors and outdoors, of comfort parameters, CO, CO 2 and particles. Automatic monitors using a light scattering technique were employed to measure PM 10 continuously. During occupied periods, low volume samplers were used to daily collect PM 2.5 samples, which were subsequently analysed for carbonates, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and water soluble inorganic ions. With regard to comfort, the schools did not meet the recommended levels in many rooms. Indoor-outdoor CO 2 ratios between 3 and 12, and indoor levels much higher than 1000 ppm during the occupied periods, indicate the highly inadequate ventilation in these locations. The results clearly demonstrate that there is a high level of exposure to particulate matter in these schools. The continuous measurements of PM 10 suggest that the physical activity of pupils, which is assumed to be more marked in younger children, contributes to a constant process of resuspension of sedimented particles. In addition, peak PM 10 concentrations coincident with cleaning activities suggest the need to change certain practices to improve cleanliness. Around 40% of the PM 2.5 mass is composed of carbonaceous matter, with 4-5 times higher OC mass fractions than EC. It was observed that both OC and EC were significantly influenced by indoor sources. Water-soluble inorganic ions represented around 10-20% of the PM 2.5 mass measured in classrooms. Excluding calcium, in general the ionic species were present at indoor-outdoor ratios of less than 1, suggesting the major origin in the outdoor air.

show abstract

Indoor and outdoor characterisation of organic and inorganic compounds in city centre and suburban elementary schools of Aveiro, Portugal

Cited by 94 publications

References 61 publications

Characteristics of Organic and Elemental Carbon in PM2.5 and PM0.25 in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of a Middle School: Secondary Formation of Organic Carbon and Sources Identification

Characteristics of Organic and Elemental Carbon in PM2.5 and PM0.25 in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of a Middle School: Secondary Formation of Organic Carbon and Sources Identification

Indoor/Outdoor Relationships between PM10 and Associated Organic Compounds in a Primary School

Comfort Parameters and Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in School Classrooms and Outdoor Air

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About