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  4. Emission rates and the personal cloud effect associated with particle release from the perihuman environment
 
research article

Emission rates and the personal cloud effect associated with particle release from the perihuman environment

Licina, D.  
•
Tian, Y.
•
Nazaroff, W. W.
2016
Indoor Air

Inhalation exposure to elevated particulate matter levels is correlated with deleterious health and well‐being outcomes. Despite growing evidence that identifies humans as sources of coarse airborne particles, the extent to which personal exposures are influenced by particle releases near occupants is unknown. In a controlled chamber, we monitored airborne total particle levels with high temporal and particle‐size resolution for a range of simulated occupant activities. We also sampled directly from the subject's breathing zone to characterize exposures. A material‐balance model showed that a sitting occupant released 8 million particles/h in the diameter range 1‐10 μm. Elevated emissions were associated with increased intensity of upper body movements and with walking. Emissions were correlated with exposure, but not linearly. The personal PM10 exposure increment above the room‐average levels was 1.6‐13 μg/m3 during sitting, owing to spatial heterogeneity of particulate matter concentrations, a feature that was absent during walking. The personal cloud was more discernible among larger particles, as would be expected for shedding from skin and clothing. Manipulating papers and clothing fabric was a strong source of airborne particles. An increase in personal exposure was observed owing to particle mass exchange associated with a second room occupant.

  • Details
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Type
research article
DOI
10.1111/ina.12365
Author(s)
Licina, D.  
Tian, Y.
Nazaroff, W. W.
Date Issued

2016

Published in
Indoor Air
Volume

27

Issue

4

Start page

791

End page

802

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

OTHER

EPFL units
HOBEL  
Available on Infoscience
July 3, 2018
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/147087
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