Formation of oxidized gases and secondary organic aerosol from a commercial oxidant-generating electronic air cleaner
Environmental Science and Technology Letters
; 2021.
Article
in English
| Scopus | ID: covidwho-1345526
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for indoor air cleaners. While some commercial electronic air cleaners can be effective in reducing primary pollutants and inactivating bioaerosol, studies on the formation of secondary products from oxidation chemistry during their use are limited. Here, we measured oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) and the chemical composition of particles generated from a hydroxyl radical generator in an office. During operation, enhancements in OVOCs, especially low-molecular-weight organic acids, were detected. Rapid increases in particle number and mass concentrations were observed, corresponding to the formation of highly oxidized secondary organic aerosol (SOA) (OC ∼1.3), with an enhanced signal at m/z 44 (CO2+) in the organic mass spectra. These results suggest that organic acids generated during VOC oxidation contributed to particle nucleation and SOA formation. Nitrate, sulfate, and chloride also increased during the oxidation without a corresponding increase in ammonium, suggesting organic nitrate, organic sulfate, and organic chloride formation. As secondary species are reported to have detrimental health effects, further studies should not be limited to the inactivation of bioaerosol or reduction of particular VOCs, but should also evaluate potential OVOCs and SOA formation from electronic air cleaners in different indoor environments. © 2021 American Chemical Society.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Scopus
Language:
English
Journal:
Environmental Science and Technology Letters
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS