Measurement of vertical concentration profiles of airborne particulate matter in indoor environments: implications for refinement of models and monitoring campaigns
A. Micallef et al., Measurement of vertical concentration profiles of airborne particulate matter in indoor environments: implications for refinement of models and monitoring campaigns, INT J ENV H, 9(1), 1999, pp. 5-18
Citations number
53
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
Vertical concentration profiles of airborne particulate matter were measure
d in four different indoor environments - library, coffee room, workshop an
d undergraduate student hostel - on the University Campus at Sutton Boningt
on. Measurements were carried out using an electronically-controlled liftin
g platform carrying a real-time optical particle monitor for sampling air s
equentially at different heights within the breathing zone. Data was automa
tically logged at the different receptor levels, for the determination of t
he average Vertical concentration profile of the various particle size rang
es which include inhalable, thoracic, alveolic, PM10 and PM2.5. Vertical co
ncentration profiles measured in these different indoor environments exhibi
ted different characteristics but in almost all cases it was clear that dif
ferent height groups of the population are exposed to different concentrati
ons of the pollutant. This has implications on setting of air quality stand
ards for the protection of public health. The results indicate that we may
have to re-think the whole concept of air quality standards and develop pro
tocols for indoor air quality monitoring and modelling which would take int
o account the above-mentioned factor.