Indoor-outdoor air pollution, allergen and meteorological monitoring in an arid southwest area

Michael D. Lebowitz, G. Corman, M. K. O’Rourke, C. J. Holberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sources and concentrations of indoor air pollutants and aeroallergens were evaluated in the arid Southwest community of Tucson, Arizona. One major purpose was to appraise the interaction of indoor and outdoor human exposures. A rough time budget study showed that 74% of adults spent 75% or more of their time in some indoor environment. Outdoor and indoor concentrations of TSP, RSP, CO, O3 and aeroallergens were measured for 41 detached dwellings. Small area and basin monitoring occurred for TSP, CO, NO2, O3 and aeroallergens; ambient TSP frequently exceeds NAAQS and both CO and O3 do occasionally. Indoor TSP and RSP were lower than outdoors and were of a different composition. Outdoor infiltration falls rapidly for particles and pollen, related to distance Indoors. CO was low and O3 was very low indoors. TSP and RSP correlated significantly with tobacco smoking and CO correlated with gas stove usage. Temperature varied minimally indoors and relative humidity indoors was similar to outdoor readings In this climate. It was concluded that better particle characterization and better estimates of total exposure are required.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1035-1038
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of the Air Pollution Control Association
Volume34
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1984

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • General Environmental Science
  • Pollution
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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