Aerosol dynamics modeling of sub-500 nm particles during the HOMEChem study

Abstract

We spend most of our time in built environments. The cumulative exposure to particulate matter (PM) occurring in these built environments can potentially be comparable to or even exceed that occurring outdoors. Therefore, it is critical to understand the sources, dynamics, and fate of PM in built environments. This work focuses on aerosol dynamics modeling (including coagulation, deposition, and exfiltration) of sub-500 nm particles measured inside a test house during the HOMEChem campaign while performing prescribed cooking activities. Deposition characteristics of the test house, emission rates and factors, and the fate of particles are presented. Number emission rates calculated for two different heat sources (stove and hot plate) and the various meals cooked on them were highest for sub-10 nm particles. Coagulation and deposition contributed comparably to the particle number concentration decay. Most of the PM (90% number-based and 70% mass-based) deposited within the house while the remaining fraction left the test house volume via exfiltration. Simulation results show that while increased air exchange rate reduces indoor PM mass concentration, it can lead to increased number concentration. An increase from 0.5 to 5 ACH (comparable to the equivalent air change rate from running a well-dimensioned portable air cleaner) would result in a 70% reduction in PM mass-based exposure while a further increase from 5 to 20 ACH would only result in an additional 21% reduction.