Fine and coarse particle mass concentrations and emission rates in the workplace of a detergent industry

Abstract

Aerosol mass concentration (PM10, PM2.5) measurements were conducted in the workplace of a detergent industry for two time periods during July 2005 and January 2006, using two portable real-time photometric monitors. The results showed increased mass concentrations both for PM10 and PM2.5 particles during the detergent production periods. The differences in the concentrations of the PM10 and PM2.5 particles were used to determine the corresponding mass concentrations of coarse particles and these values were then used to evaluate the diurnal variation both for fine and coarse particles. An indoor mass balance model was applied to estimate the aerosol mass emission rates, as well as the particle loss rates due to all removal processes. A good agreement was obtained between the model predictions and the measurements. The indoor model can be used in conjunction with experimental measurements for the evaluation of aerosol mass concentrations in industrial sites.