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Quantifying the Impacts of Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) and Wildfire Smoke on Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality in Daycare Settings: A Pilot Study
Melanie MacArthur, Emily Peterson, Linda Dix-Cooper, NAOMI ZIMMERMAN, University of British Columbia
Abstract Number: 480
Working Group: Translating Aerosol Research for Societal Impact: Science Communication and Public Outreach
Abstract
This study assesses the impact of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and wildfire events on indoor and outdoor air quality at daycares in Vancouver, Canada. Pre-school age children are a vulnerable population to the negative health impacts of poor air quality (e.g. elevated risks of asthma, child acute bronchitis). While several studies have explored indoor and outdoor air quality of public and private schools, gaps for daycare air quality still remain. During wildfires as recent as 2018, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) concentrations exceeded provincial regulatory limits, emphasizing the importance of communicating and understanding best practices for minimizing air pollution exposure at the community level.
To understand indoor and outdoor air quality during wildfire episodes and typical periods, continuous measurements were conducted at 14 daycares for two weeks in September-October 2020. Site-selection was stratified across variables hypothesized to affect air quality including proximity to roadways, proximity to recreational and green space, facility size and height above ground.
Indoor and outdoor concentrations were measured with Real-time Affordable Multi-Pollutant (RAMP, SENSIT Technologies) monitors which measure CO, CO2, NO, NO2, O3, PM2.5 and meteorological parameters at 15 s resolution. Additionally, environmental features were recorded for each site, with emphasis on vegetative and physical barriers surrounding play areas. Assessment metrics focused on hourly average concentrations, indoor-to-outdoor pollutant ratios, and diurnal patterns.
Communicating the findings was a key objective of this study. A detailed report of individual results was developed, with simple behavioural and schedule adjustment suggestions for managers to implement at the daycare level. A de-identified aggregate report summarizing all sites was also received by all daycares, including relationships between air quality and environmental justice identifiers.