0000000001089113
AUTHOR
Christopher Zammit
Indoor air quality in schools of a highly polluted south Mediterranean area
This study aimed at surveying lower secondary schools in southern Italy, in a highly polluted area. A community close to an industrial area and three villages in rural areas was investigated. Indoor temperature, relative humidity (RH), gaseous pollutants (CO 2 and NO 2 ), selected biological pollutants in indoor dust, and the indoor/outdoor mass concentration and elemental composition of PM 2.5 were ascertained. Temperature and RH were within, or close to, the comfort range, while CO 2 frequently exceeded the threshold of 1000 ppm, indicating inadequate air exchange rate. In all the classrooms, median NO 2 levels were above the WHO threshold value. Dermatophagoides p. allergen concentration…
Relationship between domestic smoking and metals and rare earth elements concentration in indoor PM2.5
Cigarette smoke is the main source of indoor chemical and toxic elements. Cadmium (Cd), Thallium (Tl), Lead (Pb) and Antimony (Sb) are important contributors to smoke-related health risks. Data on the association between Rare Earth Elements (REE) Cerium (Ce) and Lanthanum (La) and domestic smoking are scanty. To evaluate the relationship between cigarette smoke, indoor levels of PM2.5 and heavy metals, 73 children were investigated by parental questionnaire and skin prick tests. The houses of residence of 41 "cases" and 32 "controls" (children with and without respiratory symptoms, respectively) were evaluated by 48-hours PM2.5 indoor/outdoor monitoring. PM2.5 mass concentration was determi…
Chemical fingerprint of outdoor PM2.5 in Malta
Intro: RESPIRA (EU Funded - Italia-Malta 07-13) indicated that living in Malta is a risk factor for asthma. Aim: To determine the chemical profile of PM2.5 in Malta, and compare with reference values. Methods: Using FAI pumps at 10l/min/48hr, samples were collected on Teflon and Quartz filters from 6 schools and 46 homes in Malta. Total ICP-MS measurement (Residual+extracted), X ray Fluorescence, and thermo-optical methods(TO) were used for analysis by CNR in Rome. Aeroqual IQM60 counters were used for total PM2.5 mass. All data in ng/m3, Mean, (1st to 3rd quartile) of all 48 hour measurements.