Indoor Particulate Matter in Urban Households: Sources, Pathways, Characteristics, Health Effects, and Exposure Mitigation

Ling Zhang, Changjin Ou, Dhammika Magana-Arachchi, Meththika Vithanage, Kanth Swaroop Vanka, Thava Palanisami, Kanaji Masakorala, Hasintha Wijesekara, Yubo Yan, Nanthi Bolan and M. B. Kirkham
Additional contact information
Ling Zhang: Nantong Key Laboratory of Intelligent and New Energy Materials, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Changjin Ou: Nantong Key Laboratory of Intelligent and New Energy Materials, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Dhammika Magana-Arachchi: Molecular Microbiology and Human Diseases Project, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
Meththika Vithanage: Molecular Microbiology and Human Diseases Project, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
Kanth Swaroop Vanka: Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Thava Palanisami: Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Kanaji Masakorala: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara 80000, Sri Lanka
Hasintha Wijesekara: Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya 70140, Sri Lanka
Yubo Yan: Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Environment Functional Materials, Huaiyin Normal University, Huai’an 223300, China
Nanthi Bolan: School of Agriculture and Environment, Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6001, Australia
M. B. Kirkham: Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-33

Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air with varying size, shape, and chemical composition which intensifies significant concern due to severe health effects. Based on the well-established human health effects of outdoor PM, health-based standards for outdoor air have been promoted (e.g., the National Ambient Air Quality Standards formulated by the U.S.). Due to the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, the chemical composition of indoor particulate matter is related to the sources and components of outdoor PM. However, PM in the indoor environment has the potential to exceed outdoor PM levels. Indoor PM includes particles of outdoor origin that drift indoors and particles that originate from indoor activities, which include cooking, fireplaces, smoking, fuel combustion for heating, human activities, and burning incense. Indoor PM can be enriched with inorganic and organic contaminants, including toxic heavy metals and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds. As a potential health hazard, indoor exposure to PM has received increased attention in recent years because people spend most of their time indoors. In addition, as the quantity, quality, and scope of the research have expanded, it is necessary to conduct a systematic review of indoor PM. This review discusses the sources, pathways, characteristics, health effects, and exposure mitigation of indoor PM. Practical solutions and steps to reduce exposure to indoor PM are also discussed.

Keywords: indoor particulate matter; environmental health; exposure; mitigation (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 (4)

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