Seasonal Variations in the Chemical Composition of Indoor and Outdoor PM 10 in University Classrooms

Luca Tofful, Maria Catrambone, Marco Giusto, Salvatore Pareti, Elena Rantica, Tiziana Sargolini, Silvia Canepari, Maria Agostina Frezzini, Lorenzo Massimi, Martina Ristorini, Armando Pelliccioni and Cinzia Perrino
Additional contact information
Luca Tofful: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy
Maria Catrambone: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy
Marco Giusto: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy
Salvatore Pareti: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy
Elena Rantica: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy
Tiziana Sargolini: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy
Silvia Canepari: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy
Maria Agostina Frezzini: Environmental Biology Department, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Lorenzo Massimi: Environmental Biology Department, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Martina Ristorini: Environmental Biology Department, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Armando Pelliccioni: INAIL, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Cinzia Perrino: National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Monterotondo St., 00015 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: In the VIEPI project (Integrated evaluation of the exposure to indoor particulate matter) framework, we carried out a 1-year study of the concentration and chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) in a 5 story building in the Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). Each sampling had a duration of 1 month and was carried out indoors and outdoors in six classrooms. The chemical analyses were grouped to obtain information about the main PM sources. Micro-elements in their soluble and insoluble fractions were used to trace additional sources. Indoor PM composition was dominated by soil components and, to a lesser extent, by the organics, which substantially increased when people crowded the sites. The penetration of PM components was regulated by their chemical nature and by the dimensions of the particles in which they were contained. For the first time in crowded indoor environments, three different chemical assays aimed to determine PM redox properties complemented chemical composition measurements. These preliminary tests showed that substantially different redox properties characterised atmospheric particles in indoor and outdoor sites. The innovative characteristics of this study (time duration, number of considered environments) were essential to obtain relevant information about PM composition and sources in indoor academic environments and the occupants’ role.

Keywords: air quality; PM sources; infiltration; air-conditioning; mass closure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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