title: Gas/particle partitioning and size distribution of primary and secondary carbonaceous aerosols in public buildings.
abstract: The gas and particulate phase of semi-volatile organic compounds (six samples) and the composition of organic aerosol as a function of particle size (six samples) were studied in two public buildings in Greece. The objectives of this study were: i) to chemically characterize the organic content of indoor gas and particulate phases; ii) to classify indoor organic aerosol constituents as a function of particle size; and iii) to reconcile the sources of organic compounds indoors. Non-polar, semi-polar, polar, and acidic compounds were identified in both gas and particulate phases by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Branched iso- and anteiso-alkanes were used to trace environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) concurrently with other compounds. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the gas phase gave a pattern more characteristic to ETS than the corresponding pattern in the particulate phase. The chemical composition observed for n-alkanols and n-alkanoic acids in both gas and particulate phases indicated ETS as one of their main sources indoors. PAHs and n-alkanols were evenly associated between fine and coarse particles and their corresponding total mean mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) was 1.27 and 1.38 microns respectively, indicating a mixed origin. Conversely, the MMAD of n-alkanes, unresolved complex mixture (UCM), iso- and anteiso-alkanes and free fatty acids varied from 0.30 to 0.62 micron denoting a stronger association with indoor sources.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Chemical Processes Laboratory (ECPL), Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, GR-71409 Heraclion, Greece.
authors.forename: Ilias G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Kavouras
authors.forename: Euripides G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Stephanou
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005740:Gases; D010316:Particle Size; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000473:Alkanes; D005740:Gases; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution