A Study of Indoor Elemental and Organic Carbon Concentrations in Missoula Valley Homes

Details

• Personal Author:
  Grove JJ
• Description:
  The focus of this study was to identify elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) concentrations in homes of pre-selected members of the Missoula community, all whom were asthmatic. Sampling was conducted using a Sioutas Cascade lmpacator with all but the first and last stages removed to capture aerosol 2.5 um or less. Samples were taken during heating and non-heating months to capture and compare OC and EC concentrations associated with warm and cold months. Specific indoor activities were recorded during sampling to later correlate indoor activities to the collected OC and EC concentrations. Twelve homes were sampled during non-heating conditions. The mean EC concentration was 1.79 ug/m3. The highest EC concentration (8.5 ug/m3 ) was found in a location where the resident vacuumed, swept, dusted, cooked, and had open windows as ventilation during the sample period. The mean OC concentration during this sample period was (18.21 ug/m3). The highest OC concentration (59 ug/m3) was found in a location where the resident smoked, cooked, and used open windows as ventilation during the sample period. Seven homes were sampled during heating conditions. The mean EC concentration was .48 ug/m3. The highest EC concentration (.81 ug/m3 ) was found at a location where the residents burned incense during the sample period. The mean OC concentration during this sample period was (17.4 ug/m3). The highest OC concentration (39 ug/m3) was found at a location where the resident smoked and cooked during the sample period. Although smoking appeared to be a significant factor in both OC and EC concentrations, a comparison of activities within the home such as smoking, vacuuming, dusting, and using open windows as ventilation revealed no significance (p >.05). There was no correlation between EC and OC concentrations during both heating and non-heating conditions (p >.05). There was also no significance (p >.05) between the OC and EC concentrations captured on the first stage of the impactor (2.5 um cutpoint) and the final stage (<2.5 um) during both heating and non-heating sample conditions. The ratios of EC and OC to total carbonaceous materials were found to be 8.83% and 89.77% respectively for non-heating conditions. The ratios of EC and OC to total carbonaceous materials during heating conditions were found to be 2.67% and 97.33% respectively. The concentration of OC was significantly greater than the concentration of EC during heating conditions (p =.009). This significance was not observed during nonheating conditions (p =.110) [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollution Air Pollution, Indoor Environmental Monitoring Occupational Health Safety Ventilation
• Keywords:
  Air Quality Measurement Air Sampling Carbon Indoor Air Pollution Indoor Environments
• Publisher:
  ProQuest LLC.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Thesis
• Place as Subject:
  Montana ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056177
• Citation:
  Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC., 2006 Jan; :EP31215
• CAS Registry Number:
  Carbon (CAS RN 7440-44-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Performing Organization:
  Montana Technological University
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  A study of indoor elemental and organic carbon concentrations in Missoula Valley homes
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:3896cf108e709712861d0ee9bf934330e38b08a8bd0aaebde21e9b0506979e55cd4470932b0ec01ab35daad44ad6fec6fd54f711eb0115a5a6b528da3a32107e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/213833/cdc_213833_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.97 MB ]