Use of low-cost PM-sensors to determine the infiltration of outdoor particles into indoor environments

Whether due to traffic, industry or private households – particulate matter enters our air every day and pollutes the air we breathe. When the term air pollution is used, hardly anyone ever thinks of the air inside their own home. However, many urban residences are located in the immediate vicinity of busy roads with high concentrations of particulate matter. Consequently, the outside concentration of fine dust has considerable influence on the indoor concentration. Given the fact that many people spend more than 90 % of their lifetime indoors, it is important to measure and understand particle transport from the outside to the inside in order to assess the effects of exposure to outdoor particles on human health. A two-room apartment near a main road in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany was used in the investigation in this research project. Particulate matter concentrations for PM2.5 and PM10 were measured simultaneously inside and outside of the building. Results are size-specific deposition rates, indoor/outdoor ratios and infiltration factors, which provide information on the relationship between internal and external concentrations and the associated health consequences. The particulate matter concentration was measured using low-cost PM-sensors, which were developed and calibrated within the scope of this research project