Indoor-Outdoor Air Pollution, Allergen and Meteorological Monitoring in an Arid Southwest Area

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Abstract
Sources and concentrations of indoor air pollutants and aeroallergens were evaluated in the arid Southwest community of Tucson, Arizona. One major purpose was to appraise the interaction of indoor and outdoor human exposures. A rough time budget study showed that 74% of adults spent .gtoreq.75% of their time in some indoor environment. Outdoor and indoor concentrations of TSP [total suspended particulate], RSP [respirable suspended particulate], CO, O3 and aeroallergens were measured for 41 detached dwellings. Small area and basin monitoring occurred for TSP, CO, NO2, O3 and aeroallergens; ambient TSP frequently exceeded NAAQS [National Ambiant Air Quality Standards], and CO and O3 did occasionally. Indoor TSP and RSP were lower than outdoors, and were of a different composition. Outdoor infiltration fell rapidly for particles and pollen, related to distance indoors. CO was low, and O3 was very low indoors. TSP and RSP correlated significantly with tobacco smoking, and CO correlated with gas stove usage. Temperature varied minimally indoors, and relative humidity indoors was similar to outdoor readings in this climate. Better particle characterization and better estimates of total exposure are required.

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