AAAR 37th Annual Conference October 14 - October 18, 2019 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Exposure to Inhalable Aerosols from Different Potential Factors in Building and Associated with Trace Elements
HYEON-JU OH, Jong-Ryeul Sohn, Jongbok Kim, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Abstract Number: 96 Working Group: Aerosol Exposure
Abstract Exposure to inhalable aerosols can be associated with health problems and, especially, the respirable fraction of particulate matter (PM) can penetrate the gas-exchange region of the lungs. Here we investigated three fractions of PM (PM2.5, PM4, PM10) in indoors and outdoors, characterized of I/O ratios for PM under potential indoor (average occupancy) and outdoor factors (Asian dust, rain, wind, and snow days), and evaluated the fractions of trace elements in aerosols. Four places in the building were selected as sampling areas: a restaurant, a bank, a private school, and a general office. The concentrations and mass fractions (%) of 15 trace elements were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. There was no significant difference of respirable aerosol (PM2.5 and PM4) concentration in different indoor environments. PM10 concentrations from outdoor factor were different only in windy day (at bank and private school) and snow day condition (at private school and office), while PM2.5 concentrations from outdoor factor were different in all investigated places. In all the events of outdoor factors except windy day, significant difference was observed in the restaurant and private school, which may be due to difference in ventilation efficiency. The ratios of trace elements in PM2.5 and PM10 were different at various locations within the building. Although there was no difference in inhalable and respirable aerosol concentration at different locations within the building, the impact of outdoor factors is strongly supported by PM2.5/PM10 ratios of trace elements. This study shows that trace elements through the HVAC system affected the exposure to the indoor respirable aerosol, which could lead to adverse effect on the indoor air quality.
Funding: NRF- 2018R1A6A3A11048705 and NRF-2018R1A6A1A03025761