The past, present and future of indoor air chemistry

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bekö, G. et al. (2020). The past, present and future of indoor air chemistry. Indoor Air, 30(3), 373-376. , which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12634. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.This is an editorial contribution to the Journal Indoor Air on the future direction of indoor air chemistry research

TENTATIVE LEVELS OF POPS IN LITHUANIAN ENVIRONMENT

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from POPs. In implementing the Convention, Governments will take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment. This study was done in order to evaluate tentative POPs levels in Lithuania.Limited amount of PAHs and PCBs were analyzed in Šiauliai air, in two biggest Lithuanian rivers – Nemunas and Neris, and in one of the biggest waste landfill in Lapes. Sampling was done using semi permeable membrane devices (SPMDs). The same procedure of sampling and analyses was used to ensure data comparability. In general, POPs pollution levels were compared with results from other studies

Exposure to Second-hand tobacco smoke and health impact assessment of consumption transition from conventional cigarettes to new nicotine containing devices

The use of novel nicotine-containing devices as an alternative to conventional cigarettes is increasing rapidly. This raises many questions on the potential effects of this transition to both mainstream smokers and bystanders. The aim of this study was to investigate dynamics of aerosol generated by use of different nicotine containing products. The findings of this study will provide new evidence to scientists, health care professionals, and smokers that may help differentiate among the different alternatives. The laboratory simulation of the dispersion of exhaled tobacco products aerosol was conducted in an indoor chamber with controlled environmental conditions

Characterization of indoor aerosol temporal variations for the real-time management of indoor air quality

The study presents the characterization of dynamic patterns of indoor particulate matter (PM) during various pollution episodes for real-time IAQ management. The variation of PM concentrations was assessed for 20 indoor activities, including cooking related sources, other thermal sources, personal care and household products. The pollution episodes were modelled in full-scale test chamber representing a standard usual living room with the forced ventilation of 0.5 h(-1). In most of the pollution episodes, the maximum concentration of particles in exhaust air was reached within a few minutes. The most rapid increase in particle concentration was during thermal source episodes such as candle, cigarette, incense stick burning and cooking related sources, while the slowest decay of concentrations was associated with sources, emitting ultrafine particle precursors, such as furniture polisher spraying, floor wet mopping with detergent etc. Placement of the particle sensors in the ventilation exhaust vs. in the centre of the ceiling yielded comparable results for both measured maximum concentrations and temporal variations, indicating that both locations were suitable for the placement of sensors for the management of IAQ. The obtained data provides information that may be utilized considering measurements of aerosol particles as indicators for the real-time management of IAQ. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

PAHs in indoor and outdoor air from decentralized heating energy production: comparison of active and passive sampling

Spatial and temporal variation of vapor- and particle-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was determined in six urban and sub-urban locations in Kaunas, Lithuania during heating and non heating seasons. Two different sampling methodologies were used: passive (based on semipermeable membrane device, SPMD) and active (based on collection on filter and sorption). Sixteen priority PAHs as well as methylated PAHs were quantified in the collected samples. The sampled total amount of 16 PAHs investigated in SPMDs ranged from 10–138 ng/day outdoors, from 5–59 ng/day indoors during the winter sampling campaign. In summer these amounts varied from 11–19 ng/day outdoors and from 19–27 ng/day indoors. The total concentrations of vapor and particle-phase PAH in winter in actively taken samples varied from 49–286 ng/m3 outdoors and from 28–83 ng/m3 indoors. Seasonal differences as well as the influence of the fuel burning for domestic heating purposes on the PAH concentration outdoors were well reflected by the data obtained using the SPMD methodology.Web of Science36442841