How should
indoor airborne
dust levels be evaluated?
Most inhaled particulate
matter is either
exhaled or trapped
in the upper areas
of the respiratory
system and eventually
expelled. However,
fine respirable-sized
particulate matter
(PM2.5)
can be a health
concern. A mass
measurement of PM2.5
refers to the total
weight of airborne
particulates (size
range 0.1 to 2.5
um (microns) in
a specific volume
of air (m3).
Dust measurements1
are obtained on every indoor air quality assessment by a portable real
time particulate meter that using light scattering technology. Indoor
activity such as uncontrolled renovation, inefficient vacuuming,
candles, or smoking can create elevated concentrations of fine
respirable particulates resulting in complications for individuals who
have allergies, asthma, or cardiopulmonary disease.2 The most relevant and comparable health-based concentration guidelines for PM2.5 are from the EPA. Relative differences between indoor and outdoor levels are also reviewed.
|