Indoor/Outdoor Air Quality: Reference Pollutant Concentrations in Complaint-Free Residences

Abstract The intent of this study was to determine baseline air pollutant concentrations present in indoor environments in which occupants did not exhibit “sick building” symptoms. To accomplish this task, concentrations of particulate matter, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined at 17 residences in Ruston, Washington. All measurements were made inside and outside each home simultaneously, utilizing sampling techniques common within industrial hygiene, including impinger, Teflon® filter, air bag, and charcoal tube. Samples were analyzed using gravimetric and colorimeteric techniques, gas chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry, and infrared spectrophotometry. Four different space heating systems were represented within the set of homes, and each home was sampled during late summer and fall/winter. Observations from this study support previous research in illustrating that the indoor low contaminant level residential environm...