The INGENIOUS project: towards understanding air pollution in homes
Nicola Carslaw1, Jennifer Aghaji2, Sri Hapsari Budisulistiorini3
1Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, UK. nicola.carslaw@york.ac.uk.
Environmental Science. Processes & Impacts
|January 24, 2025
Summary
The INGENIOUS project studied indoor air pollution in UK homes, finding cooking significantly increases particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Understanding these sources and occupant behavior is key to improving home air quality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Indoor Air Quality Research
Background:
- Homes are primary microenvironments, yet indoor air pollution sources, transformations, and exposures remain poorly understood.
- Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on human health and its relationship with outdoor air pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively investigate indoor air pollution in UK homes through the INGENIOUS project.
- To establish an indoor emissions inventory, conduct detailed pollutant measurements, analyze IAQ-outdoor air interactions, and model future IAQ scenarios.
- To identify key indoor pollutants for toxicological study and understand behavioral factors influencing IAQ.
Main Methods:
- Deployment of low-cost sensors and advanced instrumentation for comprehensive air pollutant measurements in 310 UK homes.
- Utilizing mobile measurements to assess the bidirectional impact of indoor and outdoor air pollution.
- Employing detailed air pollution models to predict future indoor air quality trends.
Main Results:
- Median daily PM2.5 and CO2 levels were higher in winter (16.4 μg m-3, 857 ppm) than summer (7.8 μg m-3, 666 ppm).
- Cooking frequently caused peak daily PM2.5 >150 μg m-3 and generated high levels of aldehydes (up to ~50 ppb) and alcohols (up to ~600 ppb).
- Significant variations in indoor pollutant concentrations were observed, strongly correlated with occupant behavior, cooking, and ventilation.
Conclusions:
- Cooking is a major source of indoor particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, significantly impacting home air quality.
- Occupant behavior, including cooking frequency/type and ventilation use, is a critical determinant of indoor pollutant levels.
- The INGENIOUS project provides crucial data for understanding and mitigating indoor air pollution, informing public health strategies and future research.
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