AAAR 32nd Annual Conference
September 30 - October 4, 2013
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Biological Components in PM2.5 in Boulder, Colorado Latino Homes
LUPITA MONTOYA, Luis Escobedo, Ning Li, University of Colorado Boulder
Abstract Number: 351 Working Group: Bioaerosols: Characterization and Environmental Impact
Abstract The Environmental Protection Agency has established methods and metrics for qualifying and regulating outdoor air quality; however, indoor air quality (IAQ) has not enjoyed the same level of attention. Indoor levels of many pollutants, however, are often several times higher than those found outdoors. Indoor air pollutants can also concentrate due to poor circulation within a home. Since Americans spend most of their time indoors, understanding IAQ is important in order to protect public health because sustained exposures can result in poor respiratory and cardiovascular health.
This investigation targeted low-income Latino communities in Boulder, Colorado and focused on the indoor air quality of their homes. Participants were administered a survey, which included questions on their health conditions and indoor air pollution sources (e.g., cigarette smoke, combusted fuel used for heat and building materials). In addition, the indoor and outdoor air in each home was sampled for a period of 24 hours using Tactical Air Samplers (MiniVol, Airmetrics, Eugene OR). Air samples were collected onto two different filters (47 mm Teflon and Tissuquartz) to measure the quality of the air. The Teflon filters were analyzed gravimetrically and tested for the presence of endotoxin and proteins in the air. The Tisuquartz were analyzed for elemental and organic carbon, and other biogenic components in the samples collected. Early results indicated that indoor air contained a higher concentration of pollutants than the ambient air. Currently, the study is quantifying the indoor air pollutants and investigating the correlation between health outcomes and indoor air quality.