Indoor particle concentrations associated with use of tap water in portable humidifiers

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00174a019· OSTI ID:6149820

Highsmith, V R; Rodes, C E; Hardy, R J

A study was conducted in Boise, ID, residences to investigate the impact on indoor air quality of using tap water in portable home humidifiers. Commercially available units tested with tap water of known dissolved solids content included ultrasonic, impeller, and steam. Samples were collected for gravimetric analysis along with information on temperature, relative humidity, and air-exchange rates. Fine particle concentrations measured in the bedroom of one residence were greater than 590 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/ when an ultrasonic humidifier was operated in the kitchen using tap water containing 303 mg/L total dissolved solids. Fine particle concentrations in excess of 6300 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/ were observed when the ultrasonic humidifier was operated in a closed room situation. The impeller units generated less than one-third the aerosol mass generated by the ultrasonic humidifiers. A steam unit generated no measurable increase in PM/sub 10/.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6149820
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 22:9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PARTICULATES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
WATER
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
HUMIDIFIERS
IDAHO
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
PARTICLE SIZE
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
AIR POLLUTION
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION X
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
SIZE
USA
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)