The Impacts of Dust Events on Indoor Air Quality

KARIN ARDON-DRYER, Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University

     Abstract Number: 124
     Working Group: Indoor Aerosols

Abstract
Indoor environments contribute to health risks based on air quality levels. Indoor particulate matter (PM) is produced due to indoor activity including cooking, heating, smoking, and beauty products. In some cases, outdoor pollution can influence the PM concentration in indoor environments. Arid or semi-arid areas' dust events are a major contributor to particulate matter levels in indoor environments. In this study, measurements of indoor and outdoor PM concentrations and particle size distribution were performed in a private home in Lubbock, Texas. Two Grimm 11-D and two TSI OPS3330 were used, and each pair (Grimm and OPS) was placed in different locations of the house. Two units collected outdoor particles as part of AEROS-HOME and two other units were placed in the living room. Comparison between indoor and outdoor particle concentrations and size distribution will show the impact of dust events on indoor environments.