Sampling Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Semivolatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air

This paper summarizes the sampling and analysis methods used to collect and quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and PAH derivatives in indoor and outdoor air at 33 homes heated in two cities, Columbus OH and Azusa CA. Two new samplers were developed far these studies: one with a flow rate of 200 l/min to collect material for bioassay and chemical analysis and a similar one with a flow rate of 20 l/min to collect samples for chemical analysis only. Both samplers simultaneously collect semivolatile organic compounds in the particulate and vapor phases. Both are quiet, transportable, and operate entirely within the sampled environment. The samplers' field performance was evaluated; that of the 20 l/min sampler is discussed in detail. Some typical data and findings from the studies are presented.     

Development of an Indoor Air Sampler for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

We have developed a new air sampler for collecting parriculate and gas phase polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC). This sampler was designed to collect a 25 m³ volume of air at a constant sampling rate of 34 l/min over a 12-hour sampling penod. The 25 m³ sample volume is necessary to achieve the desired nglm³ detection limit for PAC. The 34 l/min sampling rate is estimated to cause less than a 5% reduction in the indoor contaminant concentrations. The sampler pump is a I/4 horsepower vacuum pump in an acoustically shielded fan-cooled enclosure and is relatively quiet. The pump draws air through a 47 mm teflon impregnated glass fibre filter for collection of particulate-phase PAC followed by a cartridge containing XAD-4 resin in front and back sections (2.5 g each) for collection of gas-phase PAC. In a pilot field study the mean breakthrough from the front sorbent section to the back section was less than 1% for each of 14 species of gas phase PAC except biphenyl which had a mean breakthrough of 3.7%. The pressure drop increase across the filter is linear up to a loading of 6 mg and causes less than a 10% reduction in the sample flow rate. The sampler was successfully demonstrated in a pilot field test with air temperatures as high as 30°C.     

Volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and elements in the air of ten urban homes

Ten homes were monitored at regular intervals from June 1994 through April 1995 as part of a Public Health Assessment in Southeast Chicago for exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and elements. Simultaneous 24-h indoor and outdoor samples were collected. VOCs were and analyzed using USEPA Method TO-14 with Selected Ion Monitoring Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). PAHs were analyzed using USEPA Method TO-13 with GC/MS. Elements were collected on quartz fiber filters and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma (ICP) spectroscopy or Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption (GFAA). Continuous measurements of CO2 and temperature were recorded for each indoor sample. Twenty-four h total CO2 emissions were determined from occupancy and estimated gas stove usage and were moderately correlated (R2 = 0.19) with 24 h average indoor CO2 concentrations. Modeled 24-h air exchange rates ranged from 0.04 to 3.76 air changes h-1 (ACH), with mean of 0.52 ACH. Median particle penetration was 0.89. Emission rates were calculated for each pollutant sampled. Using a detailed housing survey and field sampling questionnaires, it was possible to evaluate associations between housing characteristics and source activities, and pollutant source rates. The data indicate that several predictor variables, including mothball storage, air freshner use, and cooking activities, are reasonable predictors for emission rates for specific pollutants in the homes studied.     

The Po River Delta (North Italy) Indoor Epidemiological Study: Home Characteristics,Indoor Pollutants,and Subjects' Daily Activity Pattern

Abstract A total of 140 homes in the Po River Delta area of North Italy (near Venice) were monitored during summer and winter to measure the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSP, ≤ 2.5 μm). In this paper, the findings on home characteristics, daily activity pattern of occupants, and residential indoor air quality are described. Our study confirms that people spend the greater part of their daily lives indoors (84%), especially at home (64%). The concentration of monitored pollutants was greater in winter than in summer. The highest levels of NO₂ were found in the kitchens. Significantly higher indoor NO₂ levels were found in the houses with gas-furnace heating and/or with gas water heater located inside the home. RSP was significantly higher in homes where tobacco smoking took place, and was significantly related to the number of cigarettes smoked. A significant relationship between NO₂ indoor concentrations and RSP values in both seasons was found.     

Influence of relative humidity and gaseous ammonia on the nicotine sorption to indoor materials

Sorption of nitrogen-containing organic constituents of environmental tobacco smoke may be influenced by ammonia, a common indoor gas, and relative humidity (RH). We quantified sorption kinetics and equilibria of nicotine with stainless steel, cotton-polyester curtain, and polypropylene carpet at 0%, 50%, and 90% RH and in the presence of ammonia using a 10-l stainless steel chamber. Nicotine was introduced into the chamber by flash evaporating 50 μl of pure liquid. Kinetic sorption parameters were determined by fitting a mass balance model to experimental results using a nonlinear regression. Results show that an equilibrium partition coefficient, k(e) , of nicotine tended to increase as the RH increased for the curtain and carpet. Adsorbed water may contribute to an increase in available sites for nicotine sorption on the surface. In the presence of 20- and 40-ppm NH(3) , the values of k(e) for carpet were decreased by 14-40% at 50% and 90% RH, but the effect of NH(3) was not observed at 0% RH. The values of k(e) ranged from 54 to 152 m. Our findings indicate the relative importance of nicotine sorption to surfaces is dependent on the relative humidity and the presence of ammonia. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This research demonstrates that relative humidity and gaseous ammonia can influence nicotine sorption to common indoor surfaces, i.e., curtains and carpets. Increasing the relative humidity from dry to modest appears to enhance the sorptive capacity. Presence of the typical range of gaseous ammonia concentrations can reduce the nicotine sorption in a humid environment but does not affect the sorptive capacity in the absence of added water. Thus, studies on the dynamic sorption of other alkaloids or amine constituents of environmental tobacco smoke to indoor surfaces should consider the impact of water vapor concentration because of the interaction of water with the surface and sorbates. Furthermore, the mixture of gaseous amines may participate in adsorption site competition.     

Gas/particle partitioning and size distribution of primary and secondary carbonaceous aerosols in public buildings

The gas and particulate phase of semi-volatile organic compounds (six samples) and the composition of organic aerosol as a function of particle size (six samples) were studied in two public buildings in Greece. The objectives of this study were: i) to chemically characterize the organic content of indoor gas and particulate phases; ii) to classify indoor organic aerosol constituents as a function of particle size; and iii) to reconcile the sources of organic compounds indoors. Non-polar, semi-polar, polar, and acidic compounds were identified in both gas and particulate phases by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Branched iso- and anteiso-alkanes were used to trace environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) concurrently with other compounds. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the gas phase gave a pattern more characteristic to ETS than the corresponding pattern in the particulate phase. The chemical composition observed for n-alkanols and n-alkanoic acids in both gas and particulate phases indicated ETS as one of their main sources indoors. PAHs and n-alkanols were evenly associated between fine and coarse particles and their corresponding total mean mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) was 1.27 and 1.38 microns respectively, indicating a mixed origin. Conversely, the MMAD of n-alkanes, unresolved complex mixture (UCM), iso- and anteiso-alkanes and free fatty acids varied from 0.30 to 0.62 micron denoting a stronger association with indoor sources.     

A Study of Human Reactions to Emissions from Building Materials in Climate Chambers. Part II: VOC Measurements,Mouse Bioassay,and Decipol Evaluation in the 1–2 mg/m3 TVOC Range

Monitoring of human reactions to the emission of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from four commonly used building materials was carried out. The building materials were: a painted gypsum board, a rubber floor, a nylon carpet, and a particle board with an acid-curing paint. The exposures were performed in climate chambers. The air quality was quantified on the decipol scale by a trained panel, measurements of formaldehyde and VOC being performed simultaneously. The irritating potency of the materials was measured by a mouse bioassay. The VOC measurements showed several malodorants and irritants. Some abundant VOC identified in the head-space analyses were absent in the climate chamber air. The rubber floor and the nylon carpet exhibited a marked increase in decipols compatible with a number of odorous VOC identified in the air. A high formaldehyde concentration (minimum 743μg/m³) was measured for the particle board coated with an acid-curing paint. This was not reflected by a corresponding relatively high decipol value but a long-lasting irritating potency was observed in the mouse bioassay. TVOC sampled on Tenax and expressed in mass per volume as well as in molar concentration, and decipol evaluation both have limitations and should be used with caution as indicators of (perceived) indoor air quality. Eye irritation expressed by means of the eye index reflecting the tear film quality index (comprised of break-up time, foam formation, thickness of the precorneal lipid layer of the tear film, and epithelial damage) was found to be insensitive to formaldehyde and a VOC mixture but sensitive to TVOC concentrations of 1–2 mg/m³. Lipophilic VOC may be the cause of reduced tear film quality by destabilization of the lipid multilayer of the tear film.