Impacts of daily household activities on indoor particulate and NO₂ concentrations; a case study from oxford UK

This study explores indoor air pollutant (PM₁, PM_2.5 and NO₂) concentrations over a 15-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic in a typical suburban household in Oxford, UK. A multi-room intensive monitoring study was conducted in a single dwelling using 10 air quality sensors measuring real-time pollutant concentrations at 10 second intervals to assess temporal and spatial variability in PM₁, PM_2.5 and NO₂ concentrations, identify pollution-prone areas, and investigate the impact of residents' activities on indoor air quality. Significant spatial variations in PM concentrations were observed within the study dwelling, with highest hourly concentrations (769.0 & 300.9 μg m^-3 for PM_2.5, and PM₁, respectively) observed in the upstairs study room, which had poor ventilation. Cooking activities were identified as a major contributor to indoor particulate pollution, with peak concentrations aligning with cooking events. Indoor NO₂ levels were typically higher than outdoor levels, particularly in the kitchen where a gas-cooking appliance was used. There was no significant association observed between outdoor and indoor PM concentrations; however, a clear correlation was evident between kitchen PM emissions and indoor levels. Similarly, outdoor NO₂ had a limited influence on indoor air quality compared to kitchen activities. Indoor sources were found to dominate for both PM and NO₂, with higher Indoor/Outdoor (I/O) ratios observed in the upstairs bedroom and the kitchen. Overall, our findings highlight the contribution of indoor air pollutant sources and domestic activities to indoor air pollution exposure, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were typically spending more time in domestic settings. Our novel findings, which suggest high levels of pollutant concentrations in upstairs (first floor) rooms, underscore the necessity for targeted interventions. These interventions include the implementation of source control measures, effective ventilation strategies and occupant education for behaviour change, all aimed at improving indoor air quality and promoting healthier living environments.