Particulate matter and gaseous contaminants in indoor environments in an isolated northern community.
OBJECTIVE
Globally, 86% of exposure to particulate matter (PM) occurs indoors. Wood furnaces and smoke curing are known sources of PM in isolated communities in northern Canada.


METHODS
Three homes with wood furnaces, three with oil furnaces, and nine tipis (smoke curing huts) in Deline, Northwest Territories were sampled for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, total hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, and for PM of less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10).


RESULTS
All gaseous contaminants were below relevant air quality standards. In contrast, all but one environment had PM10 concentrations above standards. The presence of smokers correlated with higher PM10 levels within fuel categories. PM10 did not differ significantly between heating types (means, 0.12-0.53 mg/m3). Exposures to PM10 in tipis averaged 2.3 mg/m3.


CONCLUSIONS
Residents were exposed to substantial concentrations of PM10 from cigarette smoking, wood stoves, and smoke curing. Concentrations were within the range where respiratory symptoms have been observed. Measures to reduce exposure should consider prevention of adverse health effects and preservation of traditional activities.
Guggisberg
Michael
M
Department of Environmental Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland.
Hessel
Patrick A
PA
Michaelchuk
Dennis
D
Atiemo
Martin
M
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D001110:Arctic Regions; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000032:analysis; D006361:Heating; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D015873:Northwest Territories; D012111:Residence Characteristics
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005557:Formaldehyde; D002248:Carbon Monoxide