title: Indoor air characterization of various microenvironments in the Arctic. The case of Tromsø, Norway.
abstract: The present pilot study monitored for the first time volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aerosols in domestic and occupational microenvironments in the Arctic Region. Differences between the two categories of samples are noted with domestic environments exhibiting higher concentrations of VOCs (total VOCs ranging between 106 and 584 μg m(-3)), while total particulate matter was highest in workplace non-office environments (ranging between 132 and 284 μg m(-3)). The terpenes were the most abundant class of VOCs, while a variety of other compounds exhibited 100% frequency of occurrence (i.e. naphthalene, D5-volatile methyl siloxane). Compared to results from other studies/regions, the concentrations of VOCs are considered as relatively low. Based on the results and the knowledge of the typical characteristics of the Arctic lifestyle, some important sources are identified. As this is the first study that deals with indoor air quality in the coldest region globally, it is expected that it will trigger the interest of Authorities to proceed to more detailed studies.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) at FRAM - High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: aak@nilu.no.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsoyiannis
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Erik Eik
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Anda
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cincinelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martellini
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP), Chemical Assessment and Testing Unit, Via E. Fermi 1, I-21020 Ispra (VA), Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leva
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) at FRAM - High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Arntraut
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goetsch
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) at FRAM - High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Community Medicine, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Torkjel M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Sandanger
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) at FRAM - High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D001110:Arctic Regions; D009664:Norway; D011786:Quality Control; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: Aerosols; Arctic Region; BTEX; Indoor air quality; VOCs