Characterization of Indoor-Outdoor Aerosol Concentration Relationships during the Fresno PM Exposure Studies

Abstract

Particle size distributions were measured indoors and outdoors of a single, detached residence during the Fresno particulate matter exposure studies in winter (February 1-28, 1999) and spring (April 18-May 16, 1999). Data was collected for particle sizes ranging from about 0.01 to 2.5 μm. These data were used to investigate the temporal relationships between indoor and outdoor aerosol concentrations and to determine particle deposition rates and penetration factors for discrete particle sizes. Indoor/outdoor aerosol concentration ratios for particle sizes >1 μm were diurnally variable with highest ratios occurring during daytime (6:00-18:00) due to resuspension from indoor activities. Daytime and nighttime (19:00-7:00) aerosol concentration ratios were very similar for particle sizes <1 μm. Particle deposition rates were determined by measuring the decay in indoor aerosol concentrations after indoor levels were elevated by infiltration of native ambient aerosols. Deposition rates varied depending on particle size and were consistent with model results up to about 0.4 μm. The experimentally determined deposition rates were considerably higher than model results at larger particle sizes, suggesting the possibility of an additional indoor loss mechanism. Penetration factors were determined to be less than unity for all particle sizes and ranged from 0.5 to 0.9.