Source apportionment of particles in aircraft cabins: A preliminary study on the possible effect of aircraft age

Abstract

Airborne particles are an important type of air pollutant in built environment, including aircraft cabins. Finding the possible sources of particles in aircraft cabins is a key step to understand the particle characteristics and develop appropriate measures to control them. Presently, this type of study is largely lacking in aircraft cabin environment. In this study, measurements of concentration and size distribution of particles larger than 0.3 μm (PM>0.3) were made on 10 short haul flights in March 2013. Particle counts in supply air and breathing zone air were observed. Percentages of particle concentration in breathing zone contributed by bleed air (originated from outside) and cabin interior sources were calculated. Results indicate that the bleed air contributed more to particles in cabin than the cabin interior sources. And the contribution varied depending on particle size range and aircraft age. In cabin of long-aged aircraft, the cabin interior was a sink for PM0.3-0.5, but for short-aged aircraft, cabin interior was a source for particles within the same size range.