Title: | Real-time molecular characterization of air pollutants in a Hong Kong residence: Implication of indoor source emissions and heterogeneous chemistry |
Author(s): | Lyu X; Huo Y; Yang J; Yao D; Li K; Lu H; Zeren Y; Guo H; |
Address: | "Air Quality Studies, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1600-0668 (Electronic) 0905-6947 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Due to the high health risks associated with indoor air pollutants and long-term exposure, indoor air quality has received increasing attention. In this study, we put emphasis on the molecular composition, source emissions, and chemical aging of air pollutants in a residence with designed activities mimicking ordinary Hong Kong homes. More than 150 air pollutants were detected at molecular level, 87 of which were quantified at a time resolution of not less than 1 hour. The indoor-to-outdoor ratios were higher than 1 for most of the primary air pollutants, due to emissions of indoor activities and indoor backgrounds (especially for aldehydes). In contrast, many secondary air pollutants exhibited higher concentrations in outdoor air. Painting ranked first in aldehyde emissions, which also caused great enhancement of aromatics. Incense burning had the highest emissions of particle-phase organics, with vanillic acid and syringic acid as markers. The other noteworthy fingerprints enabled by online measurements included linoleic acid, cholesterol, and oleic acid for cooking, 2,5-dimethylfuran, stigmasterol, iso-/anteiso-alkanes, and fructose isomers for smoking, C(28) -C(34) even n-alkanes for candle burning, and monoterpenes for the use of air freshener, cleaning agents, and camphor oil. We showed clear evidence of chemical aging of cooking emissions, giving a hint of indoor heterogeneous chemistry. This study highlights the value of organic molecules measured at high time resolutions in enhancing our knowledge on indoor air quality" |
Keywords: | "Air Pollutants/*analysis Air Pollution, Indoor/*statistics & numerical data Cooking *Environmental Monitoring Hong Kong Humans Particle Size Particulate Matter Vehicle Emissions indoor air quality indoor chemistry organic aerosol particulate matters volat;" |
Notes: | "MedlineLyu, Xiaopu Huo, Yunxi Yang, Jin Yao, Dawen Li, Kaimin Lu, Haoxian Zeren, Yangzong Guo, Hai eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review England 2021/03/28 Indoor Air. 2021 Sep; 31(5):1340-1352. doi: 10.1111/ina.12826. Epub 2021 Mar 26" |