Indoor ultrafine particles of outdoor origin: importance of building operating conditions

Published

February 1, 2013

Author(s)

Dong H. Rim, Lance L. Wallace, Andrew K. Persily

Abstract

Airborne ultrafine particles (UFP) have been associated with human mortality and morbidity. Human exposure to ambient UFP occurs indoors due to entry of UFP into buildings. This study investigates UFP infiltration as a function of building operating conditions such as central air distribution fan operation and window position. Experiments were conducted involving continuous monitoring of indoor and outdoor UFP concentrations along with air change rate measurement in a test house. The study results showed that the UFP infiltration varies with particle diameter, window position, and central fan operation. Infiltration increases with particle size from 5 nm to 100 nm. Larger window openings lead to higher infiltration factors due to increased air change rates. Smaller values of infiltration factor were observed with the central fan on, which was likely caused by additional particle deposition loss to the furnace filter and duct surfaces.

Proceedings Title

Healthy Buildings 2012 Conference Proceeding

Conference Dates

July 8-12, 2012

Conference Location

Brisbane

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Penetration, deposition, infiltration factor, indoor-outdoor relationship, human exposure Penetration, deposition, infiltration factor, indoor-outdoor relationship, human exposure Penetration, deposition, infiltration factor, indoor-outdoor relationship, human exposure

Citation

Rim, D. , Wallace, L. and Persily, A. (2013), Indoor ultrafine particles of outdoor origin: importance of building operating conditions, Healthy Buildings 2012 Conference Proceeding, Brisbane, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=910728 (Accessed October 13, 2025)