換気の悪い家庭での活動は、空気の質に関する健康ガイドラインを超える可能性がある(Poorly ventilated household activity may exceed health guidelines for air quality)

2024-08-02 バーミンガム大学

＜関連情報＞

• https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/poorly-ventilated-household-activity-may-exceed-health-guidelines-for-air-quality
• https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)10241-1

日常的な家庭活動が室内微粒子およびNO2濃度に及ぼす影響：英国オックスフォードの事例研究 Impacts of daily household activities on indoor particulate and NO2 concentrations; a case study from oxford UK

Ajit Singh,Suzanne E. Bartington,Pedro Abreu,Ruth Anderson,Nicole Cowell,Felix C.P. Leach
Heliyon  Published:July 05, 2024
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34210

Graphical abstract

Highlights

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and Particulate Matter (PM) variations in a suburban household during COVID-19 are examined.
• PM levels varied among rooms, with gas cooking the main indoor pollutant source.
• Indoor NO₂, particularly kitchen consistently surpassed outdoor levels & World Health Organization (WHO) limits.
• Poor ventilation in well-insulated homes poses indoor air quality challenges.
• Study shows need to reduce indoor pollutant levels within typical UK suburban homes.

Abstract

This study explores indoor air pollutant (PM₁, PM_2.5 and NO₂) 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 PM₁, PM_2.5 and NO₂ 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⁻³ for PM_2.5, and PM₁, 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 NO₂ 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 NO₂ had a limited influence on indoor air quality compared to kitchen activities. Indoor sources were found to dominate for both PM and NO₂, 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.