Particle size distributions and concentrations above radiators in indoor environments: Exploratory results from Xi’an, China

Abstract

Particulate matter in indoor environments has caused public concerns in recent years. The objective of this research is to explore the influence of radiators on particle size distributions and concentrations. The particle size distributions as well as concentrations above radiators and in the adjacent indoor air are monitored in forty-two indoor environments in Xi’an, China. The temperatures, relative humidity and air velocities are also measured. The particle size distributions above radiators at ten locations are analyzed. The results show that the functional difference of indoor environments has little impact on the particle size distributions above radiators. Then the effects of the environmental parameters (particle concentrations in the adjacent indoor air, temperatures, relative humidities and air velocities) on particle concentrations above radiators are assessed by applying multiple linear regression analysis. Three multiple linear regression models are established to predict the concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 above radiators.