Indoor, outdoor, and regional summer and winter concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, SO4(2)-, H+, NH4+, NO3-, NH3, and nitrous acid in homes with and without kerosene space heaters.

• DOI: 10.1289/ehp.99107223
• Publication Date: 2010-10-06T15:39:13Z
• Authors: B P Leaderer; L Naeher; T Jankun; K Balenger; T R Holford; C Toth; J Sullivan; J M Wolfson; P Koutrakis
• Keywords: Kerosene; Aerodynamic diameter; Nitrous acid

Twenty-four-hour samples of PM10 (mass particles with aerodynamic diameter < or = 10 microm), PM2.5, 2.5 particle strong acidity (H+), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonia (NH3), nitrous acid (HONO), and sulfur dioxide were collected inside outside 281 homes during winter summer periods. Measurements also conducted periods at a regional site. A total 58 nonsmokers sampled the 223 Seventy-four reported use kerosene heater. All in located southwest Virginia. but 20 Virginia; remainder Connecticut. For without tobacco combustion, air monitoring site (Vinton, VA) appeared to provide reasonable estimate concentrations PM2.5 SO42- months within region, even when substantial number used conditioning. Average indoor/outdoor ratios for period 1.03 +/- 0.71 0.74 0.53, respectively. The mean ratio suggests that on average approximately 75% fine aerosol indoors is associated outdoor sources. Kerosene heater months, absence results increases indoor SO42-, possibly H+, as compared heaters. During their use, we estimated heaters added, average, 40 microg/m3 15 background residential levels 18 2 microg/m3, Results from using sulfuric acid-doped Teflon (E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, DE) filters suggest may be substantially higher than those measured because neutralization by ammonia. are an order magnitude outdoors appear result lower concentrations. Nitrous both unvented combustion