Comparison of indoor and outdoor air quality in latino communities in Peru, Chile, and USA
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate
Abstract
The air quality inside and outside the homes of three Latino communities (rural Peru, urban Chile and suburban USA) was compared in this study. Filter samples were collected and analysed for fine mass (PM2.5) and elemental and organic carbon (ECOC). An optical particle sensor was used in lieu of filter samples for PM2.5 mass in Peru. Results indicated that rural Peruvian homes burning dung for heating and cooking had the highest average level of PM2.5 indoors (140 μg/m3) and relatively clean outdoor air. Urban Chilean homes had a lower average indoor PM2.5 concentration (22 μg/m3), while suburban USA homes showed elevated concentrations of PM2.5 indoors (7.0 μg/m3) compared to outdoors, but lower indoor levels than the other two communities studied.
Description
Keywords
AIR SAMPLING, Biomass combustion, Latino communities, Particulate matter, PM2.5 exposure