Quantification and source characterization of volatile organic compounds from exercising and application of chlorine‐based cleaning products in a university athletic center

Abstract

Humans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, impacting their own air quality through occupancy and activities. Human VOC emissions indoors from exercise are still relatively uncertain, and questions remain about emissions from chlorine‐based cleaners. To investigate these and other issues, the ATHLETic center study of Indoor Chemistry (ATHLETIC) campaign was conducted in the weight room of the Dal Ward Athletic Center at the University of Colorado Boulder. Using a Vocus Proton‐Transfer‐Reaction Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometer (Vocus PTR‐TOF), an Aerodyne Gas Chromatograph (GC), an Iodide‐Chemical Ionization Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometer (I‐CIMS), and Picarro cavity ringdown spectrometers, we alternated measurements between the weight room and supply air, allowing for determination of VOC, NH3, H2O, and CO2 emission rates per person (emission factors). Human‐derived emission factors were higher than previous studies of measuring indoor air quality in rooms with individuals at rest and correlated with increased CO2 emission factors. Emission factors from personal care products (PCPs) were consistent with previous studies and typically decreased throughout the day. In addition, N‐chloraldimines were observed in the gas phase after the exercise equipment was cleaned with a dichlor solution. The chloraldimines likely originated from reactions of free amino acids with HOCl on gym surfaces.

Emission Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds from Humans

“…Human VOC ERs have been determined from measurements in several real-world indoor environments: a university classroom, 15 a cinema, 16 a gallery room in a museum, 17 a university athletic center, 18 a test house, 19 and laboratory offices. 20 The main VOC species measured (e.g., methanol, ethanol, monoterpenes, and siloxanes) showed large variations due to previous alcohol or food consumption and the use of personal care products.…”

Secondary organic aerosol formation from the oxidation of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane at atmospherically relevant OH concentrations

“…Likely more than 90 % of the D5 used is emitted into the atmosphere (Balducci et al, 2012;Hughes et al, 2012), though much of this may be first emitted indoors and only later exchanged to the outdoors: in an engineering classroom in the United States in 2014, ∼ 30 % by mass of the total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was D5 (Tang et al, 2015). In an athletic center in the morning, D5 mixing ratios exceeded 6 ppb, and emissions were attributed to the humans in the room (Finewax et al, 2020). Even the international space station contains trace amounts of D5 in the air (Carter et al, 2015).…”

Sources of Gas-Phase Species in an Art Museum from Comprehensive Real-Time Measurements

“…19 Humans can influence indoor air chemistry through direct emissions from skin and in breath (CO 2 , acetone, formic and lactic acids, NH 3 , and amines), 20 as well as emissions of personal care products (PCP) 12,21,22 and third-hand smoke from human and building surfaces. 23,24 Human activities, such as indoor cleaning 19,25,26 and cooking, 10,27 also have a substantial effect on the indoor air quality. 7,9 The building structure itself is a source of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs).…”

“…This has led to the use of progressively more sensitive and selective instrumentation indoors, with studies trending toward comprehensive, multiple-instrument investigations in simulated and specific real-world environments . For example, studies have investigated the effect that humans have on a variety of indoor environments, including residential buildings, , classrooms, , offices, airplane cabins, sports stadiums, movie theaters, museums, − and exercise facilities . Humans can influence indoor air chemistry through direct emissions from skin and in breath (CO 2 , acetone, formic and lactic acids, NH 3 , and amines), as well as emissions of personal care products (PCP) ,, and third-hand smoke from human and building surfaces. , Human activities, such as indoor cleaning ,, and cooking, , also have a substantial effect on the indoor air quality. , …”