Indoor-outdoor relationships for particulate matter: Exposure classifications and health effects

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Environment International; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(89)90048-2· OSTI ID:6943043

Quackenboss, J J; Lebowitz, M D; Crutchfield, C D ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson (USA)

As part of a study on the effects of indoor and outdoor air pollutants on respiratory health, measurements of indoor inhalable (PM{sub 10}) and respirable (PM{sub 2.5}) particulate matter have been collected in a sample of exposure-classified households. There was a close relationship between average indoor PM in these two size ranges, with a slope of 1.08 (PM{sub 10} to PM{sub 2.5}), intercept of 12.5 {mu}g/m{sup 3} and R{sup 2} of 88.6%. Samples collected in the same household during sequential weeks were generally closely related (R{sup 2} of 85% for both sizes; difference was nonsignificant), although week-specific activities were important in explaining difference within some homes. The median indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio was 0.63 for homes without reported smoking, and 1.1 for those with smoking. Corresponding mean indoor-outdoor differences were {minus}3.6 and +13.5 {mu}g/m{sup 3}, which was only significant for homes with smoking. Indoor PM{sub 10} over 50 {mu}g/m{sup 3} was associated with non-specific (annoyance) symptoms. PM{sub 2.5} over 15 {mu}g/m{sup 3} was related to symptoms of acute respiratory infections (depending on age group) and to daily variability in peak flow rates (independent of age and sex). These effects may be related to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposures that are correlated with the measured PM concentrations, although more specific indicators of ETS are needed to confirm this.

• OSTI ID: 6943043
• Journal Information: Environment International; (USA), Vol. 15:1-6; ISSN 0160-4120
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
PARTICULATES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR POLLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
HEALTH HAZARDS
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SYMPTOMS
BUILDINGS
DISEASES
HAZARDS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology