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Assessing Residential Bioaerosol and Black Carbon-Related Air Contaminants in the Context of the COVID-19 Shutdown
YAO ADDOR, Reshmi Indugula, Darrel Baumgardner, Tiina Reponen, University of Cincinnati
Abstract Number: 271
Working Group: Health-Related Aerosols
Abstract
Overview: Bioaerosols (BA) and black carbon (BC) are associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. The built environment is of focus as people spend about 90% of their time indoors. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions could impact indoor air quality due to an increase in human activities within this environment. In contrast, reduced traffic and industrial activities outdoors could lead to reduced outdoor air pollution.
Objective: We assessed indoor and outdoor BA and BC at a residential site during the COVID-19 shutdown period from July through September, 2020, to compare their characteristics and trends.
Methods: Two cutting-edge, direct-reading instruments, the fluorescence-based Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS-5/NEO) and the light scattering and absorption-based Photoacoustic Extinctiometer (PAX), were used to monitor BA and BC levels, respectively. Air monitoring was conducted indoors and outdoors at a residential site. We analyzed hourly and daily trends to compare the indoor and outdoor BA and BC levels. Also, historical air pollutant data were acquired from air quality network databases for six nearby monitoring stations, to compare 2020 to prior years data.
Results: Preliminary data analysis suggests: 1) Average levels of outdoor NO2, PM2.5, SO2, pollen and mold in 2020 were lower than the prior 3-year averages in most monitoring stations; 2) BA levels were higher indoors than outdoors while BC levels were higher outdoors; 3) Type A fluorescent particles (mostly bacteria) were dominant indoors, whereas type B (mostly fungi and pollen) dominated outdoors; and 4) Most fluorescent particles sized on average 2 µm indoors and 3 µm outdoors.
Significance: This study is significant in understanding the air quality during the COVID-19 shutdown. Our findings will serve as a reference for further aerosol and air quality studies.