Physical parameters effect on ozone-initiated formation of indoor secondary organic aerosols with emissions from cleaning products

Yu Huang, Kin Fai Ho, Steven Sai Hang Ho, Shuncheng Lee, P. S. Yau, Yan Cheng

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of air exchange rate (ACH), temperature (T), and relative humidity (RH) on the formation of indoor secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) through ozonolysis of biogenic organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted from floor cleaner was investigated in this study. The total particle count (with Dpof 6-225nm) was up to 1.2×103#cm-3with ACH of 1.08h-1, and it became much more significant with ACH of 0.36h-1(1.1×104#cm-3). This suggests that a higher ventilation rate can effectively dilute indoor BVOCs, resulting in a less ultrafine particle formation. The total particle count increased when temperature changed from 15 to 23°C but it decreased when the temperature further increased to 30°C. It could be explained that high temperature restrained the condensation of formed semi-volatile compounds resulting in low yields of SOAs. When the RH was at 50% and 80%, SOA formation (1.1-1.2×104#cm-3) was the more efficient compared with that at RH of 30% (5.9×103#cm-3), suggesting higher RH facilitating the initial nucleation processes. Oxidation generated secondary carbonyl compounds were also quantified. Acetone was the most abundant carbonyl compound. The formation mechanisms of formaldehyde and acetone were proposed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1787-1794
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials
Volume192
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2011

Keywords

  • BVOCs
  • Cleaning products
  • Indoor air quality (IAQ)
  • Ozone-initiated indoor chemistry
  • Physical parameters
  • Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Physical parameters effect on ozone-initiated formation of indoor secondary organic aerosols with emissions from cleaning products'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this