ABSTRACT

The present study investigated indoor and outdoor concentrations of two particulate matter size fractions (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) and CO₂ in 20 urban homes ventilated naturally and located in one congested residential and commercial area in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. The results indicate that the daily mean PM_2.5 concentrations measured in the ambient air, living rooms, and kitchens of all sampling sites exceeded the WHO guideline by 100%, 65%, and 95%, respectively. The daily mean outdoor and indoor PM₁₀ levels in all sampling sites were found to exceed the WHO guideline by 100% and 80%, respectively. The indoor PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were significantly correlated with their corresponding outdoor levels, as natural ventilation through opening doors and windows allowed direct transfer of outdoor airborne particles into the indoor air. Most of the kitchens investigated had higher indoor concentrations of PM_2.5 and CO₂ than in living rooms. The elevated levels of PM_2.5 and CO₂ in domestic kitchens were probably related to inadequate ventilation. The current study attempted to understand the sources and the various indoor and outdoor factors that affect indoor PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and CO₂ concentrations. Several domestic activities, such as smoking, cooking, and cleaning, were found to constitute important sources of indoor air pollution. The indoor pollution caused by PM_2.5 was also found to be more serious in the domestic kitchens than in the living rooms and the results suggest that exposure to PM_2.5 is high and highlights the need for more effective control measures.

Implications: Indoor air pollution is a complex problem that involves many determinant factors. Understanding the relationships and the influence of various indoor and outdoor factors on indoor air quality is very important to prioritize control measures and mitigation action plans. There is currently a lack of research studies in Egypt to investigate determinant factors controlling indoor air quality for urban homes. The present study characterizes the indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and CO₂ in residential buildings in Alexandria city. The study also determines the indoor and outdoor factors which influence the indoor PM and CO₂ concentrations as well as it evaluates the potential indoor sources in the selected homes. This research will help in the development of future indoor air quality standards for Egypt.

摘要

本研究调查了位于埃及亚历山大市一处拥挤的住宅和商业区的 20 所自然通风的城市家庭中两种颗粒物大小部分（PM ₁₀和 PM _2.5）和 CO _{2 的}室内和室外浓度。结果表明，在所有采样点的环境空气、客厅和厨房中测得的每日平均 PM _2.5浓度分别超过 WHO 指南的 100%、65% 和 95%。发现所有采样点的每日平均室外和室内 PM ₁₀水平分别超过 WHO 指南的 100% 和 80%。室内 PM ₁₀和 PM _2.5浓度与其相应的室外水平显着相关，因为通过打开门窗的自然通风允许室外空气中的颗粒直接转移到室内空气中。大多数被调查厨房的室内 PM _2.5和 CO ₂浓度高于起居室。家庭厨房中PM _2.5和 CO ₂水平升高可能与通风不足有关。目前的研究试图了解影响室内PM ₁₀、PM _2.5和CO ₂的来源和各种室内外因素。浓度。一些家庭活动，如吸烟、烹饪和清洁，被发现是室内空气污染的重要来源。PM _2.5造成的室内污染也被发现在家庭厨房比起居室更严重，结果表明 PM _{2.5 的}接触率很高，强调需要采取更有效的控制措施。

影响: 室内空气污染是一个复杂的问题，涉及许多决定因素。了解各种室内外因素对室内空气质量的关系和影响对于确定控制措施和缓解行动计划的优先顺序非常重要。目前埃及缺乏调查控制城市家庭室内空气质量的决定因素的研究。本研究表征了亚历山大市住宅建筑中PM ₁₀、PM _2.5和 CO ₂的室内和室外浓度。该研究还确定了影响室内 PM 和 CO ₂的室内和室外因素浓度以及评估所选家庭中潜在的室内源。这项研究将有助于埃及未来室内空气质量标准的制定。