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Emission rates and the personal cloud effect associated with particle release from the perihuman environment
Author(s) -
Licina D.,
Tian Y.,
Nazaroff W. W.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/ina.12365
Subject(s) - particulates , environmental science , particle (ecology) , atmospheric sciences , range (aeronautics) , inhalation exposure , sitting , ventilation (architecture) , environmental chemistry , meteorology , chemistry , inhalation , materials science , physics , ecology , psychology , medicine , biology , composite material , pathology , psychiatry , organic chemistry
Inhalation exposure to elevated particulate matter levels is correlated with deleterious health and well‐being outcomes. Despite growing evidence that identifies humans as sources of coarse airborne particles, the extent to which personal exposures are influenced by particle releases near occupants is unknown. In a controlled chamber, we monitored airborne total particle levels with high temporal and particle‐size resolution for a range of simulated occupant activities. We also sampled directly from the subject's breathing zone to characterize exposures. A material‐balance model showed that a sitting occupant released 8 million particles/h in the diameter range 1‐10 μm. Elevated emissions were associated with increased intensity of upper body movements and with walking. Emissions were correlated with exposure, but not linearly. The personal PM 10 exposure increment above the room‐average levels was 1.6‐13 μg/m 3 during sitting, owing to spatial heterogeneity of particulate matter concentrations, a feature that was absent during walking. The personal cloud was more discernible among larger particles, as would be expected for shedding from skin and clothing. Manipulating papers and clothing fabric was a strong source of airborne particles. An increase in personal exposure was observed owing to particle mass exchange associated with a second room occupant.