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Obeidat B, Al-Zuriqat MH. Evaluating airflow dynamics in common vertical circulation spaces of a multi-floor apartment building for mitigating airborne infection risks: A CFD modeling study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26596. [PMID: 38439893 PMCID: PMC10909661 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
As more people increasingly inhabit indoor spaces, the importance of interior environment design has grown significantly. The focus of this research is to assess the air flow and air change per hour (ACH) within common service vertical circulation spaces in apartment buildings, emphasizing the potential role of these spaces in mitigating airborne infections. The intricate relationships between the design parameters of these spaces and variables related to air circulation are examined. To achieve this goal, the investigation employed a simulation-based approach, utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to scrutinize the prevalent design of common vertical circulation spaces. The simulation outcomes unequivocally reveal that the design of these spaces has a direct impact on air circulation patterns, often influencing suboptimal conditions. Armed with these insights, this research advocates for a reevaluation of design considerations of common service vertical circulation in forthcoming housing projects. Furthermore, this research proposes innovative design solutions and strategies aimed at enhancing natural ventilation and overall air flow within common service vertical circulation spaces while evaluating their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Obeidat
- Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Jordan University of Science and Technology, 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Mai Hathal Al-Zuriqat
- Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Design, Jordan University of Science and Technology, 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
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2
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Wahlang B, Gao H, Rai SN, Keith RJ, McClain CJ, Srivastava S, Cave MC, Bhatnagar A. Associations between residential volatile organic compound exposures and liver injury markers: The role of biological sex and race. Environ Res 2023; 221:115228. [PMID: 36610539 PMCID: PMC9957966 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
While occupational exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been linked to steatohepatitis and liver cancer in industrial workers, recent findings have also positively correlated low-dose, residential VOC exposures with liver injury markers. VOC sources are numerous; factors including biological make up (sex), socio-cultural constructs (gender, race) and lifestyle (smoking) can influence both VOC exposure levels and disease outcomes. Therefore, the current study's objective is to investigate how sex and race influence associations between residential VOC exposures and liver injury markers particularly in smokers vs. nonsmokers. Subjects (n = 663) were recruited from residential neighborhoods; informed consent was obtained. Exposure biomarkers included 16 urinary VOC metabolites. Serological disease biomarkers included liver enzymes, direct bilirubin, and hepatocyte death markers (cytokeratin K18). Pearson correlations and generalized linear models were conducted. Models were adjusted for common liver-related confounders and interaction terms. The study population constituted approximately 60% females (n = 401) and 40% males (n = 262), and a higher percent of males were smokers and/or frequent drinkers. Both sexes had a higher percent of White (75% females, 82% males) vs. Black individuals. Positive associations were identified for metabolites of acrolein, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, butadiene, crotonaldehyde, and styrene with alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a biomarker for cholestatic injury; and for the benzene metabolite with bilirubin; only in females. These associations were retained in female smokers. Similar associations were also observed between these metabolites and ALP only in White individuals (n = 514). In Black individuals (n = 114), the styrene metabolite was positively associated with aspartate transaminase. Interaction models indicated that positive associations for acrylamide/crotonaldehyde metabolites with ALP in females were dose-dependent. Most VOC associations with K18 markers were negative in this residential population. Overall, the findings demonstrated that biological sex, race, and smoking status influence VOC effects on liver injury and underscored the role of biological-social-lifestyle factor(s) interactions when addressing air pollution-related health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banrida Wahlang
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
| | - Hong Gao
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Shesh N Rai
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; Cancer Data Science Center, Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Rachel J Keith
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Craig J McClain
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Sanjay Srivastava
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Mathew C Cave
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Alcohol Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Aruni Bhatnagar
- Superfund Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; The Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Envirome Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
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Olesiejuk K, Chałubiński M. How does particulate air pollution affect barrier functions and inflammatory activity of lung vascular endothelium? Allergy 2023; 78:629-638. [PMID: 36588285 DOI: 10.1111/all.15630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Both particulate matter and gaseous components of air pollution have already been shown to increase cardiovascular mortality in numerous studies. It is, however, important to note that on their way to the bloodstream the polluting agents pass the lung barrier. Inside the alveoli, particles of approximately 0.4-1 μm are most efficiently deposited and commonly undergo phagocytosis by lung macrophages. Not only the soluble agents, but also particles fine enough to leave the alveoli enter the bloodstream in this finite part of the endothelium, reaching thus higher concentrations in close proximity of the alveoli and endothelium. Additionally, deposits of particulate matter linger in direct proximity of the endothelial cells and may induce inflammation, immune responses, and influence endothelial barrier dysfunction thus increasing PM bioavailability in positive feedback. The presented discussion provides an overview of possible components of indoor PM and how endothelium is thus influenced, with emphasis on lung vascular endothelium and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Olesiejuk
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, Chair of Pulmonology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Maciej Chałubiński
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, Chair of Pulmonology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Lee M, Yim H, Kim B, Kim S, Choi W, Kim W, Kim HI. Harnessing Waste Heat from Indoor lamps for Sustainable Thermocatalytic Mineralization of Acetaldehyde using Platinized TiO 2. Chemosphere 2022; 308:136350. [PMID: 36096302 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates the first reported thermocatalytic oxidation of an indoor volatile organic compound (VOC), acetaldehyde, by harnessing the waste-heat energy from indoor light sources (e.g., halogen lamps) without additional energy inputs. With an optimal Pt-TiO2 catalyst, the designed catalyst-coated lampshade was successfully activated under waste-heat energy (∼120 °C) and achieved the complete mineralization of CH3CHO into CO2 (k = 0.02 min-1). The catalytic activity of Pt-TiO2 was extremely dependent on its preparation method which greatly influenced the characteristics (e.g., oxidation state and size) of Pt. The thermocatalytic oxidation mechanism of CH3CHO over Pt-TiO2 was investigated, which revealed that O2 and H2O sources play vital roles. Although Pt is an expensive noble metal, the thermocatalytic process on the Pt-TiO2-coated lampshade without additional energy, along with its outstanding activity, can offset the high material cost. The proposed strategy offers a sustainable and feasible method for the degradation of indoor VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhyung Lee
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Heewon Yim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3136, USA
| | - Bupmo Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Suho Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonyong Choi
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), Naju, 58330, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooyul Kim
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), Naju, 58330, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyoung-Il Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Edmiston JS, Rostami AA, Liang Q, Miller S, Sarkar MA. Computational modeling method to estimate secondhand exposure potential from exhalations during e-vapor product use under various real-world scenarios. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:2005-2016. [PMID: 36050572 PMCID: PMC9522680 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03061-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Potential secondhand exposure of exhaled constituents from e-vapor product (EVP) use is a public health concern. We present a computational modeling method to predict air levels of exhaled constituents from EVP use. We measured select constituent levels in exhaled breath from adult e-vapor product users, then used a validated computational model to predict constituent levels under three scenarios (car, office, and restaurant) to estimate likely secondhand exposure to non-users. The model was based on physical/thermodynamic interactions between air, vapor, and particulate phase of the aerosol. Input variables included space setting, ventilation rate, total aerosol amount exhaled, and aerosol composition. Exhaled breath samples were analyzed after the use of four different e-liquids in a cartridge-based EVP. Nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, menthol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein levels were measured and reported based on a linear mixed model for analysis of covariance. The ranges of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and formaldehyde in exhaled breath were 89.44-195.70 µg, 1199.7-3354.5 µg, 5366.8-6484.7 µg, and 0.25-0.34 µg, respectively. Acetaldehyde and acrolein were below detectable limits; thus, no estimated exposure to non-EVP users is reported. The model predicted that nicotine and formaldehyde exposure to non-users was substantially lower during EVPs use compared to cigarettes. The model also predicted that exposure to propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine and formaldehyde among non-users was below permissible exposure limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery S Edmiston
- Center for Research and Technology, Altria Client Services LLC, 601 East Jackson Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Ali A Rostami
- Center for Research and Technology, Altria Client Services LLC, 601 East Jackson Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Qiwei Liang
- Center for Research and Technology, Altria Client Services LLC, 601 East Jackson Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Sandra Miller
- Center for Research and Technology, Altria Client Services LLC, 601 East Jackson Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Mohamadi A Sarkar
- Center for Research and Technology, Altria Client Services LLC, 601 East Jackson Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA.
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Lin YW, Tang CS, Liu HC, Lee TY, Huang HY, Hsu TA, Chang LT. Ranking the environmental factors of indoor air quality of metropolitan independent coffee shops by Random Forests model. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16057. [PMID: 36163251 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20421-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Independent coffee shops are the alternative workplaces for people working remotely from traditional offices but are not concerned about their indoor air quality (IAQ). This study aimed to rank the environmental factors in affecting the IAQ by Random Forests (RFs) models. The indoor environments and human activities of participated independent coffee shops were observed and recorded for 3 consecutive days including weekdays and weekend during the business hours. The multi-sized particulate matter (PM), particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (p-PAHs), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), CO, CO2, temperature and relative humidity were monitored. RFs models ranked the environmental factors. More than 20% of the 15-min average concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and CO2 exceeded the World Health Organization guidelines. Occupant density affected TVOCs, p-PAHs and CO2 concentrations directly. Tobacco smoking dominated PM10, PM2.5, TVOCs and p-PAHs concentrations mostly. CO concentration was affected by roasting bean first and tobacco smoking secondly. The non-linear relationships between temperature and these pollutants illustrated the relative low concentrations happened at temperature between 22 and 24 °C. Tobacco smoking, roasting beans and occupant density are the observable activities to alert the IAQ change. Decreasing CO2 and optimizing the room temperature could also be the surrogate parameters to assure the IAQ.
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Zatta E, Condotta M, Tatano V, Bettelli A, Zanella E, La Magna N, Gamberini L. Improving the Effectiveness of Anti-COVID Measures in Buildings: Learning from Users’ Perception. Buildings 2022; 12:1161. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings12081161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 spread abruptly changed the fruition of indoor environments, where necessary adaptive measures have since been implemented. Buildings open to the public were suddenly equipped with physical devices aiming to encourage users’ appropriate behaviors, such as hand sanitizing, social distancing, and temperature monitoring. Through a twofold architectural-psychological perspective, the paper presents a research aiming to understand how users perceive these devices in the Italian context and to identify the design features that could improve their effectiveness in enhancing individuals’ awareness. With an interdisciplinary approach, four methods were adopted: observational field surveys, background and normative framework analysis, survey research through an online questionnaire, and case studies survey research. The results confirm the overall effectiveness of the implemented anti-COVID strategies, their suitability in encouraging individuals’ appropriate behaviors, and the importance of regulating the users’ flow indoors. The research allowed defining the devices (hand-sanitizing devices and temperature-measurement instruments) and wayfinding systems more suited to be included in the prevention strategy and identified their more appropriate design features in relation to the users’ feedback. Operational suggestions are presented as well. The adopted experimental approach can be useful in supporting decision making in managing of the built environment in both the current and future contexts.
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8
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Lotrecchiano N, Montano L, Bonapace IM, Giancarlo T, Trucillo P, Sofia D. Comparison Process of Blood Heavy Metals Absorption Linked to Measured Air Quality Data in Areas with High and Low Environmental Impact. Processes (Basel) 2022; 10:1409. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10071409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Air pollution is a problem shared by the entire world population, and researchers have highlighted its adverse effects on human health in recent years. The object of this paper was the relationship between the pollutants’ concentrations measured in the air and the quantity of pollutant itself inhaled by the human body. The area chosen for the study has a high environmental impact given the significant presence on the territory of polluting activities. The Acerra area (HI) has a waste-to-energy plant and numerous industries to which polluting emissions are attributed. This area has always been the subject of study as the numbers of cancer patients are high. A survey on male patients to evaluate the heavy metals concentrations in the blood was conducted in the two areas and then linked to its values aero-dispersed. Using the air quality data measured by the monitoring networks in two zones, one with high environmental impact (HI) and one with low environmental impact (LI), the chronicle daily intake (CDI) of pollutants inhaled by a single person was calculated. The pollutants considered in this study are PM10 and four heavy metals (As, Cd, Ni, Pb) constituting the typical particulates of the areas concerned. The CDI values calculated for the two zones are significantly higher in the HI zone following the seasonal pollution trend.
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9
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Sugimoto I, Suda Y, Takahashi K. Physicochemical and statistical characterization of gas-sensing behaviors of resonator sensors with carbonaceous films prepared by rf-sputtering of aromatic and hydrophilic biomolecules. Results in Chemistry 2022; 4:100426. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2022.100426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Mitova MI, Cluse C, Correia D, Goujon-ginglinger CG, Kleinhans S, Poget L, Sendyk SS. Comprehensive Air Quality Assessment of the Tobacco Heating System 2.2 under Simulated Indoor Environments. Atmosphere 2021; 12:989. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12080989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the growing popularity of heated tobacco products, there are few comprehensive studies on their environmental aerosols. Therefore, the impact of the Tobacco Heating System 2.2 (THS 2.2) on indoor air quality was evaluated on the basis of a comprehensive list of 31 airborne constituents along with targeted screening of the gas–vapor and particulate phases of the environmental aerosol. The assessments were conducted at three ventilation rates. Indoor use of THS 2.2 increased the levels of nicotine, acetaldehyde, glycerin, and (if mentholated products were used) menthol relative to background levels, with a corresponding increase in total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) values. Moreover, a temporary increase in ultrafine particles was observed when two or more tobacco sticks were used simultaneously or with a short time lapse between usages, but the concentrations returned to close to background levels almost immediately. This is because THS 2.2 generates an aerosol of liquid droplets, which evaporate quickly. Nicotine, acetaldehyde, glycerin, and TVOC levels were measured in the low μg/m3 range and were below the existing guideline limits. A comparison of airborne constituent levels during indoor THS 2.2 use with emissions from combustion products and common everyday activities revealed a substantially lower impact of THS 2.2 on the indoor environment.
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Hernández-Gordillo A, Arriaga S. Mesoporous TiO 2 Monoliths Impregnated with CdS and CuO Nanoparticles for Airborne Bacteria Inactivation Under Visible Light. Catal Letters 2021; 152:629-640. [PMID: 34054251 PMCID: PMC8141277 DOI: 10.1007/s10562-021-03659-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work, macroscopic TiO2 monoliths are proposed to serve simultaneously as support and co-catalyst in a continuous flow photoreactor. The impregnation via one-pot of mesoporous TiO2 with CdS (m-TiO2/CdS) and CuO (m-TiO2/CuO) nanoparticles enabled the formation of photocatalytic heterojunctions retaining high specific surface area (~ 100 m2/g). The impregnated monoliths of 2-3 mm in size were employed as photocatalysts to inactivate airborne bacteria under blue light, reducing the emission of living airborne bacteria up to 0.1% and 37.7% when using m-TiO2/CdS and m-TiO2/CuO, respectively. Bacteria were characterized and quantified by flow cytometry and cell lysis was confirmed by SEM, detecting collapsed bacteria. Along 96 h of continuous photocatalysis at a flow rate of 2.2 L/min, the cell concentration presented maxima and minima due to the adsorption-desorption stages of bioaerosols over the catalysts, in concordance with thermal gravimetric analysis. The reactivation of catalysts was achieved by calcination at 400 °C, however, after a third re-cycle, the photocatalytic activity for all monoliths was practically negligible because the physicochemical surface changes hinder the adequate bioaerosol adsorption. These porous systems could emerge as promising gas-phase catalysts since the mass transport is facilitated by porosity and the release of catalyst nanoparticles is avoided by the active support, providing a safe and viable model for bioaerosols inactivation to improve indoor air quality with the use of interior lighting. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10562-021-03659-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Hernández-Gordillo
- División de Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), Camino a la Presa San José 2055, 78216 San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Sonia Arriaga
- División de Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (IPICYT), Camino a la Presa San José 2055, 78216 San Luis Potosí, México
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Shen G, Ainiwaer S, Zhu Y, Zheng S, Hou W, Shen H, Chen Y, Wang X, Cheng H, Tao S. Quantifying source contributions for indoor CO 2 and gas pollutants based on the highly resolved sensor data. Environ Pollut 2020; 267:115493. [PMID: 33254594 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Household air pollution is the dominant contributor to population air pollutant exposure, but it is often of less concern compared with ambient air pollution. One of the major knowledge gaps in this field are detailed quantitative source contributions of indoor pollutants, especially for gaseous compounds. In this study, temporally, spatially, and vertically resolved monitoring for typical indoor gases including CO2, CO, formaldehyde, methane, and the total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was conducted to address pollution dynamics and major sources in an urban apartment. The indoor concentrations were significantly higher than the simultaneously measured outdoor concentrations. A new statistic approach was proposed to quantitatively estimate contributions of different sources. It was estimated that outdoor CO2 contributed largely to the indoor CO2, while main indoor sources were human metabolism and cooking. Outdoor infiltration and cooking contributed almost equally to the indoor CO. The contribution of outdoor infiltration to methane was much higher than that to formaldehyde. Cooking contributed to 24%, 19%, and 25% of indoor formaldehyde, methane, and VOCs, whereas the other unresolved indoor sources contributed 61%, 19%, and 35% of these pollutants, respectively. Vertical measurements showed that the uplifting of hot air masses led to relatively high concentrations of the pollutants in the upper layer of the kitchen and in the other rooms to a lesser extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofeng Shen
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Subinuer Ainiwaer
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yaqi Zhu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Shuxiu Zheng
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Weiying Hou
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Huizhong Shen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA
| | - Yilin Chen
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332, USA
| | - Xilong Wang
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hefa Cheng
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Shu Tao
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Sino-French Institute for Earth System Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Kozicki M, Niesłochowski A. Materials Contamination and Indoor Air Pollution Caused by Tar Products and Fungicidal Impregnations: Intervention Research in 2014-2019. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20:s20154099. [PMID: 32717863 PMCID: PMC7435637 DOI: 10.3390/s20154099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Construction materials containing tar products are a source of indoor air pollution in buildings. This particularly concerns old buildings, in which wooden structures were impregnated with tar compositions (creosote oil and Xylamite oil containing tar products) and buildings in which bituminous seal containing hydrocarbon solvents was used. During the 1970s and 1980s, an impregnant known as Xylamite was commonly used in Polish buildings. This material still emits organic vapors into the building’s environment, significantly worsening indoor air quality (IAQ). Xylamites and other impregnating materials are a source of indoor air pollution through toxic organic compounds, such as phenol, cresols, naphthalenes, chlorophenols (CPs), and chloronaphthalenes (CNs), which emit specific odors. TD-GC/MS enables detailed identification of the reasons behind chemical indoor air pollution. The results of laboratory tests on the chemical emissions of bitumen-impregnated materials were presented in 32 case studies. In turn, the results of indoor air pollution by volatile bitumen components were presented on 11 reference rooms and 14 case studies, including residential buildings, office buildings, and others. Laboratory tests of samples of construction products confirmed the main emission sources into indoor air. The research results for the period 2014–2019 are tabulated and described in detail in this manuscript.
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Settimo G, Manigrasso M, Avino P. Indoor Air Quality: A Focus on the European Legislation and State-of-the-Art Research in Italy. Atmosphere 2020; 11:370. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11040370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) has always stressed the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) and the potential danger of pollutants emitted from indoor sources; thus, it has become one of the main determinants for health. In recent years, reference documents and guidelines have been produced on many pollutants in order to: i) decrease their impact on human health (as well as the number of pollutants present in indoor environments), and ii) regulate the relevant levels of chemicals that can be emitted from the various materials. The aim of this paper is to discuss and compare the different legislations present in the European Union (EU). Furthermore, a focus of this paper will be dedicated at Italian legislation, where there is currently no specific reference to IAQ. Although initiatives in the pre-regulatory sector have multiplied, a comprehensive and integrated policy on the issue is lacking. Pending framework law for indoor air quality, which takes into account WHO indications, the National Study Group (GdS) on Indoor Air Pollution by the Italian Institute of Health (IIS) is committed to providing shared technical-scientific documents in order to allow actions harmonized at a national level. An outlook of the main Italian papers published during these last five years will be reported and discussed.
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