The use of semipermeable membrane devices as passive samplers to determine persistent organic compounds in indoor air.
In the study reported here semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were used to sample 28 PAHs and 19 PCBs in the gas phase in 15 single-family houses located in an area where domestic wood burning is widespread. Eight of the households used wood burning appliances whereas the others used other systems for residential heating. Most of the studied compounds were found in the houses: the PAHs at levels that were similar to or slightly higher than published SPMD-sampled levels for background or urban sites in Sweden, and the PCBs at levels that were somewhat lower than those recently found in both indoor and outdoor urban locations. A principal component analysis revealed that wood-burning heating systems may contribute to PAHs in indoor air. The sources may be emissions indoors or penetration from outdoors. The convenience of SPMD technology facilitates its use for semi-quantitative screening and monitoring of various persistent organic compounds indoors in dwellings and working environments.
Strandberg
Bo
B
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Box 414, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. bo.strandberg@amm.gu.se
Gustafson
Pernilla
P
Söderström
Hanna
H
Barregard
Lars
L
Bergqvist
Per-Anders
PA
Sällsten
Gerd
G
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D025341:Principal Component Analysis
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009930:Organic Chemicals