Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Clothing as a transport vector for airborne particles: Chamber study
 
research article

Clothing as a transport vector for airborne particles: Chamber study

Licina, D.  
•
Nazaroff, W. W.
2018
Indoor Air

Strong evidence suggests that clothing serves as a reservoir of chemical pollutants and particles, including bioaerosols, which may have health significance. However, little is known about the role that clothing may play as a transport vector for inhaled airborne particles. Here, we contribute toward bridging the knowledge gap by conducting experiments to investigate clothing release fraction (CRF), determined as the size‐dependent ratio of released to deposited particulate matter in the diameter range 0.5‐10 μm. In a fully controlled chamber with low background particle levels, we deployed a programmable robot to reproducibly quantify the size‐dependent CRF as a function of motion type and intensity, dust loadings, and activity duration. On average, 0.3%‐3% of deposited particles were subsequently released with fabric motion, confirming that clothing can act as a vehicle for transporting airborne particles. The CRF increased with the vigor of movement and with dust loading. Rubbing and shaking the fabric were more effective than fabric stretching in resuspending particles. We also found that most of the release happened quickly after the onset of the resuspension activity. Particle size substantially influenced the CRF, with larger particles exhibiting higher values.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1111/ina.12452
Author(s)
Licina, D.  
Nazaroff, W. W.
Date Issued

2018

Published in
Indoor Air
Volume

28

Issue

3

Start page

404

End page

414

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/20.500.14299/147089
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés