title: Indoor aerosol size distributions in a gymnasium.
abstract: In this study, an indoor/outdoor monitoring program was carried out in a gymnasium at the University of Leon, Spain. The main goal was a characterization of aerosol size distributions in a university gymnasium under different conditions and sports activities (with and without magnesia alba) and the study of the mass fraction deposited in each of the parts of the respiratory tract. The aerosol particles were measured in 31 discrete channels (size ranges) using a laser spectrometer probe. Aerosol size distributions were studied under different conditions: i) before sports activities, ii) activities without using magnesia alba, iii) activities using magnesia alba, iv) cleaning procedures, and v) outdoors. The aerosol refractive index and density indoors were estimated from the aerosol composition: 1.577-0.003i and 2.055 g cm(-3), respectively. Using the estimated density, the mass concentration was calculated, and the evolution of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 for different activities was assessed. The quality of the air in the gymnasium was strongly influenced by the use of magnesia alba (MgCO3) and the number of gymnasts who were training. Due to the climbing chalk and the constant process of resuspension, average PM10 concentrations of over 440 μg m(-3) were reached. The maximum daily concentrations ranged from 500 to 900 μg m(-3). Particle size determines the place in the respiratory tract where the deposition occurs. For this reason, the inhalable, thoracic, tracheobronchial and respirable fractions were assessed for healthy adults and high risk people, according to international standards. The estimations show that, for healthy adults, up to 300 μg m(-3) can be retained by the trachea and bronchi, and 130 μg m(-3) may reach the alveolar region. The different physical activities and the attendance rates in the sports facility have a significant influence on the concentration and size distributions observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics (IMARENAB), University of León, 24071 León, Spain.
authors.forename: Amaya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics (IMARENAB), University of León, 24071 León, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Célia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Department of Environment, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alonso-Blanco
authors.affiliation: Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Department of Environment, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coz
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment and Marine Studies, Department of Environment, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics (IMARENAB), University of León, 24071 León, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fernández-Guisuraga
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics (IMARENAB), University of León, 24071 León, Spain. Electronic address: roberto.fraile@unileon.es.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fraile
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Aerosol size distribution; Alveolar fraction; Fine mode; Gymnasium; Magnesia alba; Tracheobronchial fraction