Measurements of secondary organic aerosols formation from ozone initiated chemistry with or without human subjects in a field environmental chamber

Abstract

This study examined the impact of human presence on secondary organic aerosols (SOA) generated from ozone and limonene chemistry at realistic concentrations within a recirculating air handling system that serviced 236m3 chamber configured to simulate a typical office. Experiments were conducted during periods when the air handling system contained new filter and used pleated panel filter at constant recirculation and ventilation rate. This present study suggests that occupants do serve as sink for ozone and SOA but this was not observed in the case of limonene. Oxidation product (formaldehyde) concentration was observed to be significantly higher when occupants (18 in number) were present than when they were not suggesting the possibility of oxidation products resulting from possible ozone initiated surface chemistry occurring on the subjects.