Issue 2, 2012
From the journal:

Journal of Environmental Monitoring

Influence of a portable air treatment unit on health-related quality indicators of indoor air in a classroom†‡

Paul T. J. Scheepers,*a   Robbert Cremers,ab   Stef P. R. van Houta  and  Rob B. M. Anziona  

* Corresponding authors

a Research Laboratory Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
E-mail: p.scheepers@ebh.umcn.nl
Fax: +31 24 3613505
Tel: +31 24 3616878

b Witteeven+Bos, The Hague, The Netherlands

Abstract

During periods of two weeks in February and June 2010 the performance of portable air treatment units (PATUs) was evaluated in a primary school classroom using indicators of indoor air quality. Air samples were collected in an undisturbed setting on weekend days and in an occupied setting during teaching hours. In the first week PATUs were turned off and in the second week they were turned on. On weekend days PATUs reduced indoor levels of PM-10 by 87% in February and by 70% in June compared to weekend days when PATUs were turned off. On schooldays, indoor PM-10 was increased by 6% in February and reduced by 42% in June. For PM-2.5 reductions on weekend days were 89% in February and 80% in June. On school days PM-2.5 was increased by 15% in February and reduced by 83% in June. Turning on the PATUs reduced total VOC by 80% on weekend days and by 57% on school days (but not in June). No influence on formaldehyde, NO2, O3 and molds was observed. PATUs appeared to be less effective in removal of air pollutants when used in an occupied classroom compared to an unoccupied setting. Our study suggests that such devices should be tested in real-life settings to evaluate their influence on indoor air quality.

Graphical abstract: Influence of a portable air treatment unit on health-related quality indicators of indoor air in a classroom

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Article information

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1039/C1EM10559K
Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Jul 2011
Accepted
28 Sep 2011
First published
25 Oct 2011

J. Environ. Monit., 2012,14, 429-439

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Influence of a portable air treatment unit on health-related quality indicators of indoor air in a classroom

P. T. J. Scheepers, R. Cremers, S. P. R. van Hout and R. B. M. Anzion, J. Environ. Monit., 2012, 14, 429 DOI: 10.1039/C1EM10559K

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