Performance Evaluation of Particulate Matter and Indoor Microclimate Monitors in University Classrooms under COVID-19 Restrictions

Laurentiu Predescu and Daniel Dunea
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Laurentiu Predescu: Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Food Science, Valahia University of Targoviste, Aleea Sinaia No. 13, 130004 Targoviste, Romania
Daniel Dunea: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Food Science, Valahia University of Targoviste, Aleea Sinaia No. 13, 130004 Targoviste, Romania

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: Optical monitors have proven their versatility into the studies of air quality in the workplace and indoor environments. The current study aimed to perform a screening of the indoor environment regarding the presence of various fractions of particulate matter (PM) and the specific thermal microclimate in a classroom occupied with students in March 2019 (before COVID-19 pandemic) and in March 2021 (during pandemic) at Valahia University Campus, Targoviste, Romania. The objectives were to assess the potential exposure of students and academic personnel to PM and to observe the performances of various sensors and monitors (particle counter, PM monitors, and indoor microclimate sensors). PM1 ranged between 29 and 41 ?g m ?3 and PM10 ranged between 30 and 42 ?g m ?3 . It was observed that the particles belonged mostly to fine and submicrometric fractions in acceptable thermal environments according to the PPD and PMV indices. The particle counter recorded preponderantly 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 micron categories. The average acute dose rate was estimated as 6.58 × 10 ?4 mg/kg-day (CV = 14.3%) for the 20–40 years range. Wearing masks may influence the indoor microclimate and PM levels but additional experiments should be performed at a finer scale.

Keywords: PM2.5; PM1; size segregated mass fractions; thermal microclimate; predicted mean vote (PMV); predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD); particle counter; mask wearing; acute dose rate (ADR) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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