Indoor and outdoor concentrations of inorganic acidic aerosols and gases

J Air Waste Manage Assoc. 1991 Feb;41(2):171-81. doi: 10.1080/10473289.1991.10466834.

Abstract

Annular denuder-filter pack sampling systems were used to make indoor and outdoor measurements of aerosol strong H+, SO4(2-), NH4+, NO3- and NO2-, and the gaseous pollutants SO2, HNO3, HONO and NH3 during summer and winter periods in Boston, Massachusetts. Outdoor levels of SO2, HNO3, H+ and SO4(2-) exceeded their indoor concentrations during both seasons. Winter indoor/outdoor ratios were lower than during the summer, probably due to lower air exchange rates during the winter period. During both monitoring periods, indoor/outdoor ratios of aerosol strong H+ were 40-50 percent of the indoor/outdoor SO4(2-) ratio. Since aerosol strong acidity is typically associated with SO4(2-), this finding is indicative of neutralization of the acidic aerosol by the higher indoor NH3 levels. Geometric mean indoor/outdoor NH3 ratios of 3.5 and 23 respectively were measured for the summer and winter sampling periods. For HONO, NH3, NH4+ and NO2-, indoor concentrations were significantly higher than ambient levels. Indoor levels of NO3- were slightly less than outdoor concentrations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acids / analysis*
  • Aerosols / analysis
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis*
  • Gases / analysis

Substances

  • Acids
  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Gases