Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Fine Particulate Matter, Nanoparticle, and VOCs Exposure in a Child Development Center
Faculty Mentor
Jhy-Charm Soo
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Completed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Department
Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences
Abstract
Abstract
Children are particularly vulnerable to airborne pollutants due to developing respiratory systems, higher inhalation rates relative to body weight, and prolonged indoor occupancy. This study evaluated fine particulate matter (PM), ultrafine particle (UFP), and volatile organic compound (VOC) exposures across multiple microenvironments within a childcare facility to assess spatial variability and potential health implications.
Air monitoring campaigns were conducted over three sampling days (April 16–23, 2024) in child activity areas, including the entrance, classroom, kitchen lobby, library, playground, and supply room, as well as a control area. PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were measured using a wearable optical particle counter (OPC-N3, Alphasense Inc., UK). Particle number size distributions (11.5–365 nm) were obtained using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (NanoScan 3910, TSI Inc., US). VOC concentrations were quantified using a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) gas analyzer (DX 4040, Gasmet Inc., Finland) and converted to mass units (µg/m³). For each hazardous substance, time-weighted average exposures were calculated per location (n = 17 location-day averages across three sampling days).
Ultrafine particles (≤100 nm) accounted for approximately 75% of total particle number concentration, with a mean UFP concentration of ~1.8 × 10⁴ particles/cm³ across indoor locations. PM2.5 and PM10 demonstrated higher concentrations in high-activity areas, which can be attributed to child indoor activities and cooking aerosols. Formaldehyde, a respiratory irritant and classified human carcinogen, was consistently detected with an overall mean concentration of 0.83 ± 0.23 µg/m³ (range: 0.28–1.25 µg/m³), far below the OSHA permissible exposure limit (i.e., 0.75 ppm).
These findings demonstrate substantial spatial heterogeneity of airborne pollutants in childcare environments and highlight the importance of size-resolved particle monitoring and compound-specific VOCs assessment to inform targeted ventilation and exposure mitigation strategies.
Program Description
.
Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Komolafe, Taiwo Rofiat; Aloba, Olayemi; Rabari, Parthkumar Rameshbhai; and Soo, Jhy-Charm Dr, "Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Fine Particulate Matter, Nanoparticle, and VOCs Exposure in a Child Development Center" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 54.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/54
Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Fine Particulate Matter, Nanoparticle, and VOCs Exposure in a Child Development Center
Russell Union Ballroom
Abstract
Children are particularly vulnerable to airborne pollutants due to developing respiratory systems, higher inhalation rates relative to body weight, and prolonged indoor occupancy. This study evaluated fine particulate matter (PM), ultrafine particle (UFP), and volatile organic compound (VOC) exposures across multiple microenvironments within a childcare facility to assess spatial variability and potential health implications.
Air monitoring campaigns were conducted over three sampling days (April 16–23, 2024) in child activity areas, including the entrance, classroom, kitchen lobby, library, playground, and supply room, as well as a control area. PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were measured using a wearable optical particle counter (OPC-N3, Alphasense Inc., UK). Particle number size distributions (11.5–365 nm) were obtained using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (NanoScan 3910, TSI Inc., US). VOC concentrations were quantified using a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) gas analyzer (DX 4040, Gasmet Inc., Finland) and converted to mass units (µg/m³). For each hazardous substance, time-weighted average exposures were calculated per location (n = 17 location-day averages across three sampling days).
Ultrafine particles (≤100 nm) accounted for approximately 75% of total particle number concentration, with a mean UFP concentration of ~1.8 × 10⁴ particles/cm³ across indoor locations. PM2.5 and PM10 demonstrated higher concentrations in high-activity areas, which can be attributed to child indoor activities and cooking aerosols. Formaldehyde, a respiratory irritant and classified human carcinogen, was consistently detected with an overall mean concentration of 0.83 ± 0.23 µg/m³ (range: 0.28–1.25 µg/m³), far below the OSHA permissible exposure limit (i.e., 0.75 ppm).
These findings demonstrate substantial spatial heterogeneity of airborne pollutants in childcare environments and highlight the importance of size-resolved particle monitoring and compound-specific VOCs assessment to inform targeted ventilation and exposure mitigation strategies.
