Collaboration Fund

This project aims to measure concentrations of key chemical and biological pollutants indoors. Many of these pollutants (OH and HO2 radicals, organic nitrogen species) have never been measured indoors, only inferred via modelling studies. We will compare concentrations in a new and old building, as building practices (i.e. ventilation rates, materials) affect pollutant concentrations.

The inception event (2-day York workshop) will comprise presentations and discussion sessions with experts in indoor air pollution. We request £1500 for travel and accommodation for 2-3 international speakers and £1000 for national speakers. We will hold project meetings after 6 months (Leeds) and 12 months (York) for which we request travel funds (£300).

For two 3-day experiments (1 in each building), we will assess the ventilation and occupant characteristics (Noakes, cost: £500), measure the indoor concentrations of aerosol and gaseous organic nitrogen (Lewis, cost: £1500), bioaerosol (e.g. bacteria and fungi) including some speciation (Hathway, cost: £860, Fletcher, cost: £500), and particulate matter (size and composition) (Sharifi, cost: £2275). We will determine concentrations of OH and HO2 in a controlled laboratory environment (a laser and toxic gases are associated with the equipment) (Heard, cost: £5000). The other measurements will be made once in this controlled environment to compare with those in the other buildings.

The measurements will inform an indoor air pollution model. The concentration of OH indoors is important, as it can influence the degree of chemical processing (including the formation of particulate matter and other potentially harmful secondary pollutants). At present, its existence indoors remains unconfirmed. The model can also be used to predict particulate composition, to compare with measurements. Funds are hence requested (Carslaw) towards the cost of the modelling software  and for an annual licence for the DEREK software which can assess toxicity of chemicals formed indoors.