Measuring the fine particulate exposure levels of building occupants using localized sensors

Samandi, E; Shirazi, A; Newton, S

Measuring the fine particulate exposure levels of building occupants using localized sensors

Samandi, E Shirazi, A

Newton, S

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Building and Environment, 2023, 242, pp. 1-15
Issue Date:: 2023-08-15

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Samandi, E
dc.contributor.author	Shirazi, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6629-2902
dc.contributor.author	Newton, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8334-1916
dc.date.accessioned	2024-03-05T01:56:18Z
dc.date.available	2024-03-05T01:56:18Z
dc.date.issued	2023-08-15
dc.identifier.citation	Building and Environment, 2023, 242, pp. 1-15
dc.identifier.issn	0007-3628
dc.identifier.issn	1873-684X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176112
dc.description.abstract	Rising levels of Environmental Air Pollution (EAP) caused by wildfires and traffic emissions impact Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) by penetrating buildings through air conditioning intakes and door and window openings. Exposure to fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) causes building occupant discomfort and significant health issues. Hence, it is vital to continuously monitor the PM2.5 exposure level and the general IAQ of buildings. This study uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to investigate the temporal and spatial correlations between indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations in a university building in Sydney, Australia, over five months. Sensor measurements are used to determine the Indoor to Outdoor (I/O) ratio and Exceedance Index (E-index). The study timeline included impacts associated with Hazard Reduction Burning (HRB) and localized peak traffic flow. The findings reveal that the closest indoor area to the building entrance exceeded double the World Health Organization (WHO) PM2.5 recommended threshold for more than 80% of the study period. Results also confirm a negative correlation between the distance from ground level and indoor PM2.5 exposure. An hourly analysis shows that the PM2.5 concentrations in Winter increase overnight. During HRB in Winter, the I/O ratios increased by up to 200% on average during regular HVAC operating hours. Localized outdoor readings were also compared with the nearest regional air quality monitoring station (RAQMS). Those results indicate that the average PM2.5 for the local outdoor sensor was approximately 2.5 times higher than the nearest RAQMS, confirming that regional stations may not be reliable references for localized PM2.5 concentrations.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Building and Environment
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110403
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0502 Environmental Science and Management, 1201 Architecture, 1202 Building
dc.subject.classification	Building & Construction
dc.subject.classification	33 Built environment and design
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.title	Measuring the fine particulate exposure levels of building occupants using localized sensors
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	242
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management
utslib.for	1201 Architecture
utslib.for	1202 Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2024-03-05T01:56:14Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	242

Abstract:

Rising levels of Environmental Air Pollution (EAP) caused by wildfires and traffic emissions impact Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) by penetrating buildings through air conditioning intakes and door and window openings. Exposure to fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) causes building occupant discomfort and significant health issues. Hence, it is vital to continuously monitor the PM2.5 exposure level and the general IAQ of buildings. This study uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to investigate the temporal and spatial correlations between indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations in a university building in Sydney, Australia, over five months. Sensor measurements are used to determine the Indoor to Outdoor (I/O) ratio and Exceedance Index (E-index). The study timeline included impacts associated with Hazard Reduction Burning (HRB) and localized peak traffic flow. The findings reveal that the closest indoor area to the building entrance exceeded double the World Health Organization (WHO) PM2.5 recommended threshold for more than 80% of the study period. Results also confirm a negative correlation between the distance from ground level and indoor PM2.5 exposure. An hourly analysis shows that the PM2.5 concentrations in Winter increase overnight. During HRB in Winter, the I/O ratios increased by up to 200% on average during regular HVAC operating hours. Localized outdoor readings were also compared with the nearest regional air quality monitoring station (RAQMS). Those results indicate that the average PM2.5 for the local outdoor sensor was approximately 2.5 times higher than the nearest RAQMS, confirming that regional stations may not be reliable references for localized PM2.5 concentrations.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176112