Can Public Spaces Effectively Be Used as Cleaner Indoor Air Shelters during Extreme Smoke Events?

Amanda J. Wheeler, Ryan W. Allen, Kerryn Lawrence, Christopher T. Roulston, Jennifer Powell, Grant J. Williamson, Penelope J. Jones, Fabienne Reisen, Geoffrey G. Morgan and Fay H. Johnston
Additional contact information
Amanda J. Wheeler: Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Ryan W. Allen: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
Kerryn Lawrence: Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie 2444, Australia
Christopher T. Roulston: Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Aspendale 3195, Australia
Jennifer Powell: Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Aspendale 3195, Australia
Grant J. Williamson: School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, NSW Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub, Hobart 7000, Australia
Penelope J. Jones: Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
Fabienne Reisen: Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Aspendale 3195, Australia
Geoffrey G. Morgan: Sydney School of Public Health, and University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Fay H. Johnston: Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-8

Abstract: During extreme air pollution events, such as bushfires, public health agencies often recommend that vulnerable individuals visit a nearby public building with central air conditioning to reduce their exposure to smoke. However, there is limited evidence that these “cleaner indoor air shelters” reduce exposure or health risks. We quantified the impact of a “cleaner indoor air shelter” in a public library in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia when concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) were elevated during a local peat fire and nearby bushfires. Specifically, we evaluated the air quality improvements with central air conditioning only and with the use of portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air cleaners. We measured PM 2.5 from August 2019 until February 2020 by deploying pairs of low-cost PM 2.5 sensors (i) inside the main library, (ii) in a smaller media room inside the library, (iii) outside the library, and (iv) co-located with regulatory monitors located in the town. We operated two HEPA cleaners in the media room from August until October 2019. We quantified the infiltration efficiency of outdoor PM 2.5 concentrations, defined as the fraction of the outdoor PM 2.5 concentration that penetrates indoors and remains suspended, as well as the additional effect of HEPA cleaners on PM 2.5 concentrations. The infiltration efficiency of outdoor PM 2.5 into the air-conditioned main library was 30%, meaning that compared to the PM 2.5 concentration outdoors, the concentrations of outdoor-generated PM 2.5 indoors were reduced by 70%. In the media room, when the HEPA cleaners were operating, PM 2.5 concentrations were reduced further with a PM 2.5 infiltration efficiency of 17%. A carefully selected air-conditioned public building could be used as a cleaner indoor air shelter during episodes of elevated smoke emissions. Further improvements in indoor air quality within the building can be achieved by operating appropriately sized HEPA cleaners.

Keywords: smoke; indoor air quality; interventions; cleaner indoor air shelter; HEPA; PM 2.5; disaster (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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