Singh Ajit, Bartington Suzanne E, Abreu Pedro, Anderson Ruth, Cowell Nicole, Leach Felix C P
Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Heliyon. 2024 Jul 5;10(15):e34210. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34210. eCollection 2024 Aug 15.
This study explores indoor air pollutant (PM, PM and NO) concentrations over a 15-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic in a typical suburban household in Oxford, UK. A multi-room intensive monitoring study was conducted in a single dwelling using 10 air quality sensors measuring real-time pollutant concentrations at 10 second intervals to assess temporal and spatial variability in PM, PM and NO concentrations, identify pollution-prone areas, and investigate the impact of residents' activities on indoor air quality. Significant spatial variations in PM concentrations were observed within the study dwelling, with highest hourly concentrations (769.0 & 300.9 μg m for PM, and PM, respectively) observed in the upstairs study room, which had poor ventilation. Cooking activities were identified as a major contributor to indoor particulate pollution, with peak concentrations aligning with cooking events. Indoor NO levels were typically higher than outdoor levels, particularly in the kitchen where a gas-cooking appliance was used. There was no significant association observed between outdoor and indoor PM concentrations; however, a clear correlation was evident between kitchen PM emissions and indoor levels. Similarly, outdoor NO had a limited influence on indoor air quality compared to kitchen activities. Indoor sources were found to dominate for both PM and NO, with higher Indoor/Outdoor (I/O) ratios observed in the upstairs bedroom and the kitchen. Overall, our findings highlight the contribution of indoor air pollutant sources and domestic activities to indoor air pollution exposure, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were typically spending more time in domestic settings. Our novel findings, which suggest high levels of pollutant concentrations in upstairs (first floor) rooms, underscore the necessity for targeted interventions. These interventions include the implementation of source control measures, effective ventilation strategies and occupant education for behaviour change, all aimed at improving indoor air quality and promoting healthier living environments.
本研究探讨了在英国牛津一个典型的郊区家庭中，新冠疫情期间15周内室内空气污染物（PM、PM和NO）的浓度。在一所住宅内进行了一项多房间密集监测研究，使用10个空气质量传感器，每隔10秒测量一次实时污染物浓度，以评估PM、PM和NO浓度的时间和空间变异性，确定易污染区域，并调查居民活动对室内空气质量的影响。在研究住宅内观察到PM浓度存在显著的空间变化，在通风不良的楼上书房中观察到最高小时浓度（PM和PM分别为769.0和300.9μg m）。烹饪活动被确定为室内颗粒物污染的主要来源，峰值浓度与烹饪事件一致。室内NO水平通常高于室外水平，特别是在使用燃气烹饪器具的厨房。未观察到室外和室内PM浓度之间存在显著关联；然而，厨房PM排放与室内水平之间存在明显的相关性。同样，与厨房活动相比，室外NO对室内空气质量的影响有限。发现室内源在PM和NO中均占主导地位，在楼上卧室和厨房中观察到较高的室内/室外（I/O）比率。总体而言，我们的研究结果突出了室内空气污染源和家庭活动对室内空气污染暴露的贡献，特别是在新冠疫情期间，人们通常在家庭环境中花费更多时间。我们的新发现表明楼上（一楼）房间的污染物浓度较高，强调了有针对性干预的必要性。这些干预措施包括实施源头控制措施、有效的通风策略以及对居住者进行行为改变教育，所有这些都旨在改善室内空气质量并促进更健康的生活环境。
