A recent study by researchers at the University of Birmingham has revealed that people may be exposed to unhealthy levels of airborne pollutants inside their homes, even when outdoor air quality is good. Using low-cost sensors and innovative techniques, the researchers monitored particulate matter (PM) levels in three different homes over two weeks. Their findings showed that indoor pollution levels were higher and more variable than outdoor levels. Notably, one home exceeded the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 24-hour PM2.5 limit on nine separate days, indicating potential health risks.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, was conducted by McCall MacBain Clean Air Fellows as part of their Master’s degree in Air Pollution Management and Control. Co-author Catrin Rathbone emphasized the need for continuous indoor air monitoring, as PM levels varied significantly across different homes. Factors such as ventilation, household location, and occupancy patterns influenced pollution levels, making a single-location measurement inadequate. Co-author Owain Rose highlighted that with more people working from home, understanding indoor air quality has become increasingly important.
The research identified five key contributors to indoor PM levels, including two indoor sources like resident activity and three external factors such as nearby commercial kitchen vents. They also found that larger PM10 particles settled more quickly than smaller PM1 and PM2.5 particles, which remained suspended for longer periods. To model these variations accurately, the team used Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF), a method that effectively uncovers hidden data patterns. By utilizing low-cost sensors, they successfully provided a more detailed picture of indoor air pollution.
These findings underscore the need for household-specific indoor air monitoring, as air quality can vary significantly even between neighboring homes. The study highlights the importance of understanding and mitigating indoor pollution sources to ensure a healthier living environment.
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