Assessment of the indoor air quality in copy centr

Authors: Estela D Vicente João P Ribeiro Danilo Custódio Célia A Alves

Publish Date: 2016/04/01

Volume: 10, Issue: 2, Pages: 117-127

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Abstract

This study presents continuous measurements of sizesegregated particulate matter total volatile organic compounds ozone formaldehyde comfort parameters temperature and relative humidity CO and CO2 at two copy centres A and B in Aveiro Portugal PM10 samples collected with lowvolume samplers were used to determine the carbonaceous content organic and elemental carbon by a thermooptical technique Mean PM10 levels of 558 ± 750 μg m−3 and 513 ± 935 μg m−3 were obtained in copy centres A and B respectively The 24h indoor PM10 concentration at both copy centres exceeded the protection limit established by the Portuguese legislation Around 60  of the PM10 were composed of particles with sizes below 25 μm On average organic carbon accounted for 276  copy centre A and 186  copy centre B of the PM10 mass indoors whereas a lower mass fraction of 115  was found for both outdoor spaces The much higher indoor levels of organic carbon suggest significant contribution by indoor sources The ozone level increased in both copy centres when the photocopiers started to work Mean ozone levels 0055 ± 0005 and 0048 ± 0006 ppm in copy centres A and B respectively during business hours may exceed the standard recommended for workplaces 005 ppm representing a cause of possible adverse health effects on employees The indoortooutdoor ozone concentration ratios were greater than 1 in both centres indicating an important contribution of indoor sources Formaldehyde levels remained always below the World Health Organisation guideline for indoor air 01 mg m−3 Total concentrations of volatile organic compounds were also relatively low in general ranging from around 190 to 300 ppb The indoortooutdoor concentration ratios were in the range between 070 and 076 Results showed that operation of laser printers can lead to high particulate matter and ozone concentration indoors Pollutants associated with printing equipment have potential to cause adverse health effects if exposures are sufficiently high Precautions should be taken to minimise the risks of exposed workers

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