Investigation of PM2.5 and carbon dioxide levels in urban homes.

PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) samples were collected in the indoor environments of 15 urban homes and their adjacent outdoor environments in Alexandria, Egypt, during the spring time. Indoor and outdoor carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels were also measured concurrently. The results showed that indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations in the 15 sites, with daily averages of 45.5 ± 11.1 and 47.3 ± 12.9 µg/m³, respectively, were significantly higher than the ambient 24-hr PM2.5 standard of 35 µg/m³ recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The indoor PM2.5 and CO₂levels were correlated with the corresponding outdoor levels, demonstrating that outdoor convection and infiltration could lead to direct transportation indoors. Ventilation rates were also measured in the selected residences and ranged from 1.6 to 4.5 hr⁻¹ with median value of 3.3 hr⁻¹. The indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios of the monitored homes varied from 0.73 to 1.65 with average value of 0.99 ± 0.26 for PM2.5, whereas those for CO₂ranged from 1.13 to 1.66 with average value of 1.41 ± 0.15. Indoor sources and personal activities, including smoking and cooking, were found to significantly influence indoor levels.