10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Application of Consumer-grade Sensors to Study the Effect of Heatwaves on Indoor Air Quality
RUIKANG HE, Gediminas Mainelis, Ioanna Tsoulou, Sanjeevi Thirumurugesan, Brian Morgan, Stephania Gonzalez, Deborah Plotnik, Jennifer Senick, Clinton J. Andrews, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Abstract Number: 1081 Working Group: Low-Cost and Portable Sensors
Abstract Global climate change is affecting extreme weather, including the duration, frequency and intensity of heatwaves (e.g., extended periods of hot temperatures). We hypothesized that low-income seniors who live in urban areas are affected the most by the heatwaves because they often are physically frail and may have limited access to air conditioning. We recruited 24 seniors in three different buildings (sites M, F, and L) in Elizabeth, NJ, to participate in a study from July to September during which we deployed consumer-grade sensors in individual apartments to monitor indoor and outdoor air pollution levels, air temperature, relative humidity, CO2, and strategies to cope with heat (e.g., air conditioner use, window operation, and use of communal spaces.) The selected study city has some of the worst air pollution in the state due to its proximity to oil refineries, Newark airport, NJ Turnpike, and the Port of Newark and New York.
In preparation for the study, we developed and deployed sensor networks in each apartment. AirVisual Node (Air Visual Ltd.) measured PM2.5 as well as temperature and relative humidity; a reference unit was installed outdoors. AirVisual was selected for this study based on our comparison of this tool with other consumer-grade sensors. Wemo Insight (Belkin International) monitored energy consumed by the appliances and provided window air-conditioner usage information. Window Open/Close Sensors (Monnit) told us when the windows were open/closed. All data were transmitted via local WiFi hubs.
Our findings show that air pollution levels indoors were affected not only by outdoor pollutant levels and outdoor temperatures but also by building conditions and individual behaviors of seniors, including smoking in the apartments, their ability to use of Air Conditioning (A/C) due to cost concerns and relocation to outdoor shaded areas or air-conditioned common areas within their buildings during hot days. The average PM2.5 levels and Indoor/Outdoor PM2.5 (I/O) ratios were 84.78 µg/m3 and 14.96 in smokers’ units, and the same parameters were 14.86 µg/m3 and 2.30 in non-smokers’ units. The non-smokers’ apartments without A/C (site M) had the average I/O ~1.3 for both heat wave and non-heatwave days, while the apartments with A/C (sites F and L) showed I/O decrease from ~2.1 during non-heatwave days to ~1.1 during heatwave days. Interestingly, the I/O ratios became more strongly correlated with outdoor temperature during the heatwave days and had overall lower I/O values compared to non-heatwave days (sites F and L). For CO2, the concentration across apartments varied between 500 and 2000 ppm, with multiple readings above 1500 ppm after 7 pm, which was highly affected by individual behaviors of the residents.
In summary, our findings demonstrate the utility and usability of consumer-grade air quality sensors to study factors affecting indoor air pollution. Our data also suggest that long-term adaptation and resilience to climate change could benefit from an integrated resident-to-building-to-neighborhood evaluation. This research was funded by NSF grant AGS‐1645786.