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Predictors of coarse particulate matter and associated endotoxin concentrations in residential environments
Citation
Bari, MA and MacNeill, M and Kindzierski, WB and Wallace, L and Heroux, M-E and Wheeler, AJ, Predictors of coarse particulate matter and associated endotoxin concentrations in residential environments, Atmospheric Environment, 92 pp. 221-230. ISSN 1352-2310 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Elsevier Ltd
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.04.025
Abstract
Exposure to coarse particulate matter (PM), i.e., particles with an aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 and
10 mm (PM10e2.5), is of increasing interest due to the potential for health effects including asthma, allergy
and respiratory symptoms. Limited information is available on indoor and outdoor coarse PM and
associated endotoxin exposures. Seven consecutive 24-h samples of indoor and outdoor coarse PM were
collected during winter and summer 2010 using Harvard Coarse Impactors in a total of 74 Edmonton
homes where no reported smoking took place. Coarse PM filters were subsequently analyzed for
endotoxin content. Data were also collected on indoor and outdoor temperature, relative humidity, air
exchange rate, housing characteristics and occupants’ activities. During winter, outdoor concentrations of
coarse PM (median ¼ 6.7 mg/m3, interquartile range, IQR ¼ 3.4e12 mg/m3) were found to be higher than
indoor concentrations (median 3.4 mg/m3, IQR ¼ 1.6e5.7 mg/m3); while summer levels of indoor and
outdoor concentrations were similar (median 4.5 mg/m3, IQR ¼ 2.3e6.8 mg/m3, and median 4.7 mg/m3,
IQR ¼ 2.1e7.9 mg/m3, respectively). Similar predictors were identified for indoor coarse PM in both
seasons and included corresponding outdoor coarse PM concentrations, whether vacuuming, sweeping
or dusting was performed during the sampling period, and number of occupants in the home. Winter
indoor coarse PM predictors also included the number of dogs and indoor endotoxin concentrations.
Summer median endotoxin concentrations (indoor: 0.41 EU/m3, outdoor: 0.64 EU/m3) were 4-fold higher
than winter concentrations (indoor: 0.12 EU/m3, outdoor: 0.16 EU/m3). Other than outdoor endotoxin
concentrations, indoor endotoxin concentration predictors for both seasons were different. Winter
endotoxin predictors also included presence of furry pets and whether the vacuum had a high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filter. Summer endotoxin predictors were problems with mice in the previous 12
months and mean indoor relative humidity levels.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | particulate matter, indoor air quality, coarse particles, endotoxin |
Research Division: | Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services |
Research Group: | Human resources and industrial relations |
Research Field: | Occupational and workplace health and safety |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Wheeler, AJ (Dr Amanda Wheeler) |
ID Code: | 101138 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 23 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2015-06-10 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-03 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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